New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-05-21

Secretaryship WAS issued what was usually
called "The Juarez Law" abOlIshing military
and ecclesiastical fBCrOs and other privileges
80 "a 90 establish, for the first time in Mexico,
equality before the law The next year, he was
again in Congress, participating in the
framing and adoption OF the Constitution
Of 1857. In the FIRST election under this
Constitution, Juarez was tho candidate for
President of The Progressive party. UntOr-
tunately, ComOnfort succeeded against him,
soon proved faithless, attempted dictatorship,
and fnally fled the country. Meanwhile,
Juares had been elected Chicf-Justlce and be-
came, by virtue of the office, Vice-Preoident.
On the flight of COmOnfOrt, The Presidency de-
yOlved on him
We cannot follow him through bis various
acts as President. They were all in the sense OF
constitutional reform. In July, 1859, were pro-
mulgated the celebrated Laws of Reform"
securing religious liberty, establishing lnde-
pcndcnce between Church and State, legalizlng
civil marriage, declaring the immense real
estate of the Church to be national property.
and directing its sale; also, suppreSSlng con-
ventual establishments throughout the land.
Three years of stubborn struggle ensued: the
power of tried Army and the wealth OF
Church fighting for its temporal possessions on
one side; the industrious classes, poor but de
telmincd. and with unbOunded faith in their
leader, on the other. After along succession
of varied fortune, the battle of San Miguel
Calpulalpan. in December, 1860, destroyed hall
the army of Miram0n, dispersed the rest, ana
duclled the rebellion In June, 1861, Juarcz
was reelected President by an overwhelming
majority In the Autumn Of the same year,
when all things promised domestic tranquility
and a steady advance on the right path, came
Gen Forey and the French Every one knows
the sequel.
With such antccedents, may we not expect
much from the Mexican President? The de-
feat of Miramon and of the rebellion OF which nc
was the head was stained by no acts of cruelty
toward the conquered. This time, it is true.
the enemies are foreigners usurpcrs, too, with
not even the color of title; men who had rs
much right TO Land Mt Vera Cruz and march
ON the City of Mexico as We would have to
land at Marseiiles and march on Paris. That
matters not. 1t Is not what Macmillan de-
serves; il is what is worthy Of JuaIez. No
doubt he will be bcsct by popular cry for blood.
There i. always more or leSs OF that on
such occasions during the flush of victory +;
and il usually comes. not from the brave men
who fought. but from towards who stayed at
home. We trust ,Iuarcz will listen TO better
counsel Policy no less than humanity, dictates
mercy. Clemcncy will win for Mexico the good
opinion of the civilized world. Cruelty will
Justify the worst that her enemies have said
! against her.
Should these lines happen to reach Juarez ere
il i, too late. we entreat him to consider that
the deeds of few days may do more to honor
or 20 disgrace the country he governs and the
cause of constitutional liberty to which he has
| devoted hi, life. than years hereafter mag be
| able To effect or to atone for.