The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-13
The Law Against lonaStic Associations and
"PerniriouS' Foreigners Strictly Enforced.
Religious Houses Seized and Their Inmates
Made Priscners-The Rights of American
Citizens-Appeal to the United States
Government-Tnternationa and
Natural Justice Against OBJ
solete Acts of Congress
MEXICO, May 81. 1873.


living together in communities. which has not been
enforced for many years, and the other an unnatu-
raj and ant-internatonal one. authorizing the ex-
pusion OF fore igners from Mexican territory. Tho
doctrine has ever been generally supported by
civilized nations and especially by republics, that
the accused shall always have the right OF trial. the
right OF defence, and the treaty existing between
the United States and Mexico has been supposed to
guarantee In spirit and letter. such right OF trial
to all American citizens residing In Mexico ana
accused of infringement or the laws or the country.
MoNAsTCIsTs ARRESTED.
On the Goth OF the present month the old and
obsolete law regarding religious associated COM
munties was acted upon, the object, it s said,
being for political ends, affecting the coming cleo
tons for Congress. The arrests made we're not
from among the Jesuts, OF whom there arc quite q
number in the district but principally among
the Paulinists, the Passionists and other
religious bodies. Among the arrested
two claiming American protection
Thomas McCreay and Angelo NJ. Lila
the former from Baltimore, Nd; the latter from
Hoboken, N. j.; the one layman only. the other
priest. but neither Jesuits 1t has been erro-
neousy represented by the Mexican press, and per-
haps intentionally that Mr.. Nelson, the American
Minister, demanded their release without regard
to their amcnablty to the laws OF the country. IL
is due to truth and justice well as to The diplo
matte wisdom OF the American representative, to
emphaticaly deny such evil-avored statements
THE CASE AS IT PRESENTS
The following are the facts:-Mr. Nelson. having
been informed OF the arrest Of these persons and
OF their claims to American citizenship together
with their assertion that they had violated no laws
OF the country, asked simply OF the Mexican govern
ment that they be allowed trial and the naming
OF a time and place, in order that he INT. NelsOn)
might he present, all of which was formally and
officially refused. 1t appears that the question Is
not one OF persons or religions, but rather one
which involves the grave question of observance or
treaties and the republican doctrine OF the right OF
trial. 1t - understood up 10 this moment that the
Mexican government Is stubborn and refuses the
examination OF the cases asked for by Minister
Nelson, informing him that the President mas
decreed their expulsion from the country together
with seventeen other persons, and that the SEN
tence will be duly carried into effect. The American
representative can OF course, do nothing more,
except to onicially protest, which he has already
done.
THE IssuE-MIGHT AND RIGHT.
The question VIII, It Is presumed, become one OF
subsequent consideration and OF diplomatic CORE,
Imprisonment in the city prison for several days,
have finally been placed 1T liberty INT under bail,
until such time rs seems most convenient to con-
duct them TO the coast TO embark Tor foreign
country. THIS action has taken effect in conse-
yers that they could not be lawfully incarcerated
As matter or course, the church-goins people in
Mexico, whether Catholics or Protestants, are very
much agitated on the subject and not without rea-
son. for the Interpretation and enforcement OF such
laws may at any moment interfere WIN tne eStatI-
nshnent or continuance OF religious organizations,
schools and theological institutions. The same ac-
ton may bc anticipated at any moment with refer
TO Protestant missionary movements mere,
and the American Minister, Mr.. Nelson, 10y meet
ing the question with much energy and prompt
ness, has received the warm support Of all the
liberal minded people OF the country.
THE PENAL LAW AGAINST FOREIGNERS.
This law against "pcrnlciouS Foreigners as IL Is
called, il one which always has and always will be
a blot upon the country. and should be expunged
from the statute book, as the Executive considers
pmpOWerpd.
to send any foreigners out OF the country The
following IL copy Of the law 49,.
1t in the of the supreme government
aSs o ,so s Of the Rcp"be eanas
S be ,S t. e s sde sdas @
in accordance with the rule prescribed BY the laws
Citizen Opinion On the Rights or Con.
science and of Church As,oci la. ians.
From the Two Republics.]
few nights since twenty-five houses In this city
and vicinity, Inhabited by 200 ladies, vrtu0us mod
est retiring aud devOut, were visited and the in
mates rudely thrust INTO the streets. without pro-
lection or escort the police refusing to escort them
to houses where they expected to find shelter.
These ladies are Innocent and unofendng, bu5
they were religious and lived IN sisterhood. How
crcditable and honorable their lives, they were
criminal' In the spirit Of the law, as construed.
To the enforcement OF the law, by its agents. there
can be no demurrer But the existence OF such .
law IN this age, and in republic, IS shame ana
a disgrace, and when the intelligence Of these
events, which we record iii modification ana sad
ness, shall have reached the United States and
other genuine free countries IT. will be received
with disgust, II not with stronger feelings. The
only crime OF these ladies was IN their persistent
dsobcdiencc OF the law. However, it was o crime;
for all violations OF law, whether they are
reasonable unreasonable are crimes however
noncnslve the acts Of themselves. These ladies'
have suffered the penalties OF the law the statute
is indicated, but the law itself Is disgrace and
In controversion OF the spirit OF republicansm. On
the same night several houses in this city and
and upon the charge OF being Jesuts or religious
persons living In community the inmates were
and contrary to tie spirit OF free countries IS the
law these individuals can offer no defence for vlo-
latng it; and we presume viii be unable to make
and useful lives there is no doubt bat it IL unlaw-
full IN this country to follow such pursuits. While
houses OF ''sOCal ev' are tolerated and flourish,
such Is the law, and in this law abiding aud con-
equality the law must be enforced occasionally to
show that there IS force in the law even II women
and men IN gowns are the subjects to be selected
for the edifying exhibition.
ARREST OF TWO AMERICAN CITIZENS.
On last Tuesday night Messrs Thomas McCrealy
and Angelo NJ. Lila, natnraIized citizens OF th,
United states were arrested ana thrust into Ja
upon the charge OF violating the law against re
hood. Both are priests Of the Catholic Church
and were engaged In educational pursuits as wei
az IN the vocatons OF their profession. Unfortu
nately two men cannot live together, under tn
law, if they are religious, because thereby the
become a .'brotherhoOdo or Jesuits or friars.
call upon the American press TO caution thei
countrymen against coming to Mexico, under tn
deiuson that It Is country OF equality. The law
are not exactly equal to all men. Those who ar
priests come, but no two OF them will be a
lowed to live together. They must keep separat
household servants cooks and bottle washers
they are Jesuits or iriars they win be expele
without ceremony. II they are infdels an
heathens they will be welcomed by numerol
kindred souls in sympathy, and will be allowed
live together IN hive II II suits their convenienc
Good, easy souls these Yankees In the Nort
When they come to Mexico they are denounced
fbnstars; they are Imprisoned upon various pr
texts, and often are banished as .pernlcious 10
mir y lnEr nnnp ThAue tn p mo
delicate courteses philosophically, and, like trl
Christians, return good for evil. When their Me
lean brethren go to the United states they q
allowed to enjoy every immunity; whether prize
or layman, Catholic, Jew or inhdel their lank
brethren cash their bonds when they are struggli
for aiional Independence: they intervene In INT
hehalf u their nuarrels with foreign nations: Ill