, 1873-10-31
REFORM IN MEXICO.
Tho Now Constitutional Amen iln1eMts
..Celchrtsti0n tlt tho Capital,

Tho New Constitutional Amendments
..Cclchrnti0n nj tho Ctpittsl,
From tho CITY af lirxico Cosmopolitan, Ott IL.
The Important lRwB of rotor1n wlioh wero H.
eued by tho tlluatrious Mexican, Donito Jnaroz,
III tho year 1861, hayo heon declared part md
parcel Of tho Mexican Lberal Consultation Of
This gigantic atop taken by Mexico upon tho
path OF progross nud civilization is Of tho ut
most importance, md touda to provo that this
hitherto unfortunate country 10 really in oari1oat
IN itB ondeavors to procure for lily people Tho
b1eBsingB Of truo ltborty and OF rca', material,
aud substantial progrnss.
Tho inuumorRbo mia(orlunos TINT have tallnn
upon Mexico may, III q great measure, 10 attTib-
uted to the almost unlimited power oxcrosod by
Of tho country. 1hfs immonBo power, derived
from the vnst moral influence oxortod by tho
priests upon tho great mnBBos Of tho people, ro-
ceiyod terrible blow at tho hands OF Juarez
md other prominent liberals. But tho laws
which those eminent mon issuod III order to at-
tain tint Desirable ond wore, to certain OK
tent, iHolatcd, aud hadnot the foroo necossaly to
produce tho effects for which they were promul-
Now those lava have boon declared unnni-
mouBly by tho Legislatures Of tho different hlox-
lean stntoa aa part Of the Constitution, and thoy
will therefore have moro fOrce, md thus destroy
forever the power Of tho Church III this country.
We givo below translation Of tho gafd laws
just as they wore ISSUED by Congress as
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
r. "Tho Congress- Of tho Unltod States Of Mox-
ico, exercising the power granted to It BY Art.
the 12th OF February, 1857, and having previously
Legtslatures Of the Republic, declares:
''That the following aro additions and amond.
ments to the Haid Constitution:
stAnr.1. Tho State and tho Church aro indo-
pendent Of each other. Congress cannot dc
tato my laws establishing or prohibiting the
establishment Of my religion whatovor.
and the other acts pertaining to tho civil status
OF parties belongs exclusively to the competency
of the of1icera and authoritlos Of tho civil ordor,
within tho terms prescribed by law, aud have tho
force and validity which tho sarno confers upon
them,
can acquire real estate property nor use tho
rents acoruinG thorofrom with tho only oxcop-
ton expressed In Art. n Of the Constitution.
CART. 4: Tho simple promise to say the truth
and to fulfill tho respective obligations will tnko
tho place OF the religious oath for all its effocta
aud ponalticB.
= ART. s. No person shall bo obliged to give
his personal labor without his full consent. Tho
state cannot allow to DO carriod into eifoct any
contract. pledge, or agreement whos9 object
may bo tho detrimont. loss or irrovocablo sacrl-
ice Of tho nborty Of man, DO it either on account
Of labor, education, or religious oath, Tho Inv.
therefore, docs not recognize or acknowledge
nny monnstfo orders, nor can 1t pormit their eH-
tabliHhment, whatever may 10 their denomina-
tion or the obtoct for which they arc sought to
30 founded. Nor can IL permit any agreement
to bo made by virtue OF which. d man may
pledge his prescription or exile.
"Irnns2ent-lho foregoing additions and
tished at once throughout tho Republic with tho
greatest solemnity."
THE CELEBRATION ..
Tho above amendments to tho Fedornl Consti-
tution wore published officially on tho 9Th inat.
snlutes were Cred Mt dawn, noon, and Hunset.
Tho National flag was hoistcd on al tho public
buildings md III many, private residencesi and
respective Legations and Oonsulatos
At 10 d. m. the civic aud military procession
WAS formed and marohed through the principal
streets Of tho city. 1t was composed Of the
bers Of q large number Of boneyolont artisan,
md industrial associations, and Of portion Of
tho Mexoau army, whose brilliant uniforms
soldiorly bearing, and admirable discipline Mt
tractcd universal attention. The streets woro
thronged with people, aud genuine Joy and satis-
faction were depicted on every countonance.
During tho afternoon thore were theatrical,
aerobnto, and musical performances given
throughout tho city for the special benefit Of tho
people and at night, tho National Palace,
Cathedral City Hall, other public buildings, md
humorous private residences were gorgeously
Illuminated with upwards Of 10000 jots Of gas.
Magnificent fireworks, witnessed by moro than
10000 people, took place at tho grand plaza and
cloaod the festivities Of this eventful day..
The gardens III front Of tho Palnce were beau-
tifully illuminated, aid tho ellie of tic proud
Capital fingered among Its winding walkH, listen,
Ing to tho strains Of fine baud Of music up to
a late hour.
THUS ended the celebration Of one Of tho most i'm.
some years, md We trust it will tend to strength
gu tile liberal institutions of tho country
and to improve tho already encouraging condl'
tion of affairs III tho lnud Of tho bravo Aztccs.