New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-22
MEXICO And THE CHURCH PARTY.

Ii is impossible 10 understand the true char
acter of the terrible struggle which for sixty
long years has deprived the Mexican people OF
all repose, and hindered their progress in
civilization. without taking into accohqt the
position and influence of the Church party in
that unhappy country. The key to the history
of Mexico since the period when she won bet
independence, is 70 be found in the record OF
the doings of this party, who have never,
during the whole Of that time, inteifntted their
intrigues and efforts to establish reactionary
policy l.the' government of the Republic. 1t
is all va well to describe the MeNcans as
half-breeds and savages, utterly incapable OF
governing themselves; but while deblofing tho
seventies which have marked the victories of
the eontending factions, let US do the people
common justice. 1t is TO he reBembered
that the revolutionary movement which
severed the connection between Mexico the
Province, aud the mother country was a move
Wept in the Interests Of popular freedom. The
Mexicans fetojted against the tyrsppy of Spain
as the American Colopies had Iebelled against
the TYRANNY. lof England. And Il was not
simply. independence at which they aimed ID
was republican freedom in the highest accepta-
ton of the term they sought TO possess them.
selves of. Iturbde's Empire in Mexico failed
miserably, because success was a moral impos.
sibility. The nation which had just shaken of
the yoke of Spain was in no temper to endure
monarchy in any shape and the deposed En-.
peror paid with bis life the penalty Of the
'attempt which he made subsequent TO his alb
dication to fofce upon the people a form OF
frf.xvlr1 ,faaY OH ~. a
the time when Macmillan was about to
assume the purple, 1t was urged by some
European journals that the traditions
of the Mexicans were in faver Of the monarcli-
cal principle, and that all that was required to
develop W deeply rooted sseplipent 9f the
People in taveS Of this principle wfs y sSt UP
Q throne 10 their midst, The matter was blaGl-
jblS put, but the facts Of NfSieah history
we're against the apOlogists for the second
Empire. 1t ia notorious that tls traditions Of
Mexico, as nation; are against Tobafehy,
and in favor Of republieanisrt, and the history
of the last five. years struggle proves eoncld.
sively that the great bulk Of the Mexieans are
as soundly republican In the present day as
when they first overthrow the Government of
lturbide, and then sent him TO his last account
for what they regarded as treason against their
liberties
But, unfortunately for the peace and and wei
fare of Mexico, the Church party, pledged TO
reactionary policy, has always been opposed
TO those liberal ideas whose full development
was necessary 70 the completion of the great
work which the patriots Of the war of indie
pendence commenced half century ago. The
Iutfn. IL.
only half completed its work when it allowed
the Church to retain position in which it
might become the nucleus of a power
full political organization. Our own reyolu-
ton left untouched an element that was one
day to imperil the existence Of the Republic
because essentially antagcniitic TO the fice In