New-York tribune., 1868-01-06
MEXICO.

THE OPENING OF CONGRESs-THE ADDRESS OF
PRESIDENT JUAREz AND REPLY OF SPEAKER
MONTEs-THE PRESIDENTS PERSONALITY
ON AN OCCASION OF STATE-DEPARTURE RE OF
A DIPLOMATIC REAR-GUARD-wITHDRAw
OF ENGLISH CONSULS-THE LAST BULL
FIGHT IN THE CAPITAL.
From Our Own Correspondent
MEXICO, Dec. 9, 1857.
Yesterday Congress was opened III due form
by the President the Republic. The holiday character
OF the Mexican Sabbath improved to give effect to
the soemnization Of the cOuntrys return to consttu
tonal government. Thousands 1ocked to the palace
after church. and unusual numbers gathered in the Plaza
Of Arms which adjoins the Cathedral and the public
buildings National coors were displayed from every
side Of the extensive open space and the eagle and nopa
Ourshcd the gateway OF the palace IN the great
courtyard OF which the regimental bands were dis
At about noon the President left his quarters in the
Palace and escorted by various members OF his Cabinet
and chiefs OF the army passed the long Wde CORRIDORS or
galleries leading to the hall of Congress This hail.
though unSHed TO tne eapsoy o. 1ne aeSI @
and has acoustic superiority over similar pubic accom-
,nodations the United States 1t is chastey orna
mented and above the regular columns which support
gracefully upon all sides inscribed the names OF the
Liberal srfes Readers of Mexican history recognize
integently the names Of Moreos, Hidalgo, Victoria,
Bravo Guerrero, Aldama, Musquz, Degollado Ocampo,
shaped like semi circle, wherein the deputies OF Con-
The President entered the hall along with his Ministers
Melia Bacarce Iglesias, and with Gen. Regules and
several other cOmpatriOts of the army. His company
left him at brief distance from the neycarpeted plat
FORM whereOn the desks of the Speaker and the Sec
Tetaries and higher up under costly gilt and Velyeted
canopy surmOuuted by the arms OF Mexico two chairs
of state One OF these occupied by the President OF
the Congress, Mr. Ezekiel MOnes whO the President
of the Republic assembled the platform in 'front.' with
courteous ceremony to receive HIM Tne two fnnetons
assured President Juarez, seated in his chair
opened manuscript and proceeded 70 read the address
Inauguratng the first meeting OF Mexican representa-
tiyes since the crisis OF the War OF Intervention
reception.
apparently passive and satisfied falling TO exhibit any
Whatever that respect for the seriousness Of the
occasion aud theme Actual oIatory OF stately deiy
cry understand them IN the United States being
out OF the question: President Jnarez may be described as
PLAIN judicial reader He did not enunciate loudly
slowly enough for all OF his address TO reach the galleries
though his every word distinctly understood In the
STess Was legal 5nsnesste reading. nndramstc as
possible yet not wanting in some characteristics OF the
man His low figure, slow and direct movement, homely
cOncourse Of the representative men OF Mexico None
of ths plain face OF the President and its expression and
meaning OF sraghforwardness not bold but quiet and
Juarez as a chief among his people Indian faces require
perhaps different standard OF appreciation from that
face Of the President is decidedly Indian, after
the Indian pattern d IN Mexico which Is serious % ana m
cheeks broad and swarthy his lips firm, ms bearing
eatTTes and epecay of his grave forehead might be
content in calling the President squareheaded man.
and derive therefrOm confidence In his business and ad
minstratlve capacity. IN word President Juarez has
the stOca intellect and Of his There
Is probably not grain OF useless sentiment IN his com
position Whatever be his capacity 1t is admitted that he
does not Whether or not ms states
Inanshp be merely passive ard wanting in great inspa
lions, question is raised that his fame has moral
foundation grounded on the patience and the endurance
OF his race Fortunately for Mexico its Moses in the late
escape from intervention an Indian without alloy or
disgRse.
refers TO the shooting oi Maximan He justice
political necessity al the same time, which you may
translate 20 that the unsettled and irregular con
ditiOn OF Mexican character and society," under per
petual pesicnce OF political vices and misunderstand
ings, would not permit mercy TO amiable usurper
These evils, TO which Maxmian fell victim, were gen
Grated by the old mOnachca breed OF wrongs IN church
and state Whether you that the safety OF the people
would not allow II, or that the condition and education
0f the people not equal 10 such phenomenal mercy
II means all the same. Maximilan might have been
those which he brought along with him. and those which
le found-h the Mexican nation were intelligent
rs an equal number Of the people Of Hew-York
nnd New England AI0wedly they are not MaxiIniian,
mistakes trusted 70 the intelligence OF people whose
ignorance he had grossly wronged He found them only
intelligent enough 70 put MN 70 dSsn cam M Under the o
have expected Did Mexico know more than she does,
she might be able 10 pardon her most eminent maefac
tors but IN that case there wona DS lar lever nddo
loa gambler, Mram0n, and the 0tner dominant rascals
whom ambition without morals, and puphc life solely
occupied with intrigue for selfish ends made the scOurge
f their country Juarez and MS party are Ike other
parties good according 10 their circumstance Until
liberalism finally triumphed, II was hard 10 tell where
fhe bad began aud where 10 ended In Mexico. The vic
OF The pOwsrs OF darkness and the problem h at last per
coIved aud understood.
The Residents views regarding foreign powers are
eoncstory ~ sefrespoctful He will not bar the way
10 Convenient treaties but at the same time, viii make
no Oyeftures the trio In diplomatic dshonor-an at
fude which the ysd at large and especially the United