The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-12-31

/ A letter from the city of Mexico, dated
Nov. 10th, gives clearer account of affairs
in that country than has previously appeared.
The Triter says:
= The statistics of the late elections not be-
ing manifest, we must for the present be con-
tent with their bare results, SO lar as we know
them. Citizen Juarez, should he serve
through the term for which he has been re-
elected, will have been president of Mexico
Tor fourteen years, or more than three terms
There is no parallel to this official longevity
in the United States. OF course, during the
greater part of this period Mexico has been
involved IN civil war-her Constitution there
tore, Tor the most part imperative. and her
legitimate Government not at every moment
uppermost. But as it has been said that
Mexico has had President for every day of
the year-a statement rather too gross for
even the purpose OF satire-this late proof of
Mexican constancy ought to have due weight
in Northern minds. You have heard that
some illegalities occurred in the elections
matter which occasioned no surprise among
those familiar with the chronic sufferipgs Of
Mexico, and her desperate recuperative efforts
at the end OF long civil war; Mexico,
after many years of trouble, can,
scarcely show that law-abiding forbearance to
which the North SO readily returns after four
years OF conflict. Undoubtedly, however. Ju-
arez is elected, and the country acouiesces in
that choice. Afull majority of the Governors
favor him. His competitor, Gen. Diaz, is
well satisfied with the result, not having been
particularly ambitious OF any other. Con-
gress, as thus far caucussed, registers 10 on
on the side OF the Government and about 33
against it, the opposition being maiI ly a pa
triotic and liberal one. The Church party is
engaged in burying its dead, and can no long
er be counted in.
As you have been advised, CONGRESS was TO
have met nearly week ago, but the condi-
ton OF the roads made it impossible to collect
quorum at that time. Since then Congress
has been examining credentials and pre-ar-
ranging itself according to law with a view to
its formal opening by the President on the
first OF next month. There will b. three par
ties or shades of opinion in Congress. First.
those who firmly support the President.
prominent among whom are several members
OF the Cabinet, Balcazar, Iglesias, the Presi-
dents son-in-law and private secretary, San
ta-Cella, beside Gen. Alexander Garcia, Gen.
Baranda, and some Others equally well
known; second, a small band of Moderates,
led by Monies, willing to support the Presi-
dent and to restrain him; third, the Opposi-
tion proper, with such leaders as Mata. Guz-
man, Zamarcone, and Benitez. Gen. Mata.
formerly Minister to Washington, illustrates
the reticence OF Mexican statesmnnship, and
is an intellectual and positive opponent
Guzman was the Governor who refused his
official sanction to the Convocatoria, and was
deposed therefore. Zamarcone is, perhaps.
the ablest and most influential of all the our.
nallsts OF the opposition. Benites MANAGED
the independent finances of Gen. Oiaz's army
in such way that at the end of the war it
I'm od - al
piece OF financiering strange to Mexico
Were Diaz President, it is not unlikely that
talent and favor would equally fit Benites
tor place in his Cabinet. OF the organza-
tion OF Congress | can predict nothing.
Zarco OF the Sigto, and the ablest edi-
torial champion OF Juarez, is in poor health.
Ezekiel Monies is man of venerable aspect
and admitted capacity. Both he and Zarco
are talked of for the Cabinet.
The opposition now takes its stand on the
defeat OF the Convocatoria, and under the
banner oi Gen. Diaz's nomination. 1t NAV
be well to rastate that the term Convocatoria
covers certain constitutional amendments,
where n the President claimed the right of
initiative, and accordingly convoked the peo-
pie to pass upon them by the election of Con-
gress favorable or unfavorable thereto. The
friends OF the President argued that as Con-
gress had endowed him with"ample faculties"
or almost absolute power, and as the consti-
tuition has beer allegiance, that he had a right
to propose reforms directly to the people, in
stead of to Congress, with view OF restoring
and perfectng the Constitution His oppo.
nents that as war had ceased the Constitll-
ton was active and that Congress must be
elected before the President could propose
amendments to it, as in duty bound. The
amendments in question were good enough:
first, the institution OF Senate, as
in the United States North; second, the veto
power, OF which the President is greatly in
need; third, the re- enfranchsement of the
clergy, there beingAho earthly reason why
they should not vote. There was some pref
udice against the last, but the amendments
failed chiefly through iuformaIity. Their
proposal by the President was not regarded
as modest step, inasmuch as the Cons,itu-
ton had naturally come to the foreground at
the conclusion OF the war, and it was there
fore the duty of its official servant to step
aside as politely as possible. Much may be
said on both sides. President Juarez has
committed no wrong, and his amendments
will hold good for another day. The Mexi-
can people have, as it appe ars, Disseminated
with some nicely between the President and
his measures. These have been compared to