The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-21
RELIGIOUS STRIFE In MEXICO.
Murder of Protestant Ministers in Mexico
from the United States.

MEXICO. March %, 1874
The religious horizon of Mexico is every day be-
coming more clouded and the possibility OF social
disturbances OF great magnitude threaten us.
You are already aware OF the expulsion during
the past few months Of the foreign Romish priests,
as 'pernicious foreigners by the government OF
Mexico OF the additional reforms to the c0nstitu-
ton which were Immediately after presented to
Congress and passed; as also the oath of ofice
which all officials and employees OF the governments
are thereby compelled to take.
ASSASSINATION OF PROTESTANT cLERGyMEN.
Your columns have also presented to the reading
public of the world the local disturbances resulting
thereirom, including few riots and assassinations
To the list OF latter has been recently added the
assassination of the Rev. Mr.. stephens, Of
the congregational Church OF the United States,
at Ahualulco, in the State OF Jalisco, under
the saddest Of circumstances. It now appears
that the Cure OF that village and some scores Of
persons have been arrested as actors and accom-
plices In this Jragical event. Up to the hour Of
writing the result or their trial has not been
reached, although 1t is not easy to understand
how the guilty can escape the penalty OF the law.
The sermon OF the Cure In regard TO the necessity
OF ''cutting down tree which bears bad fruit"
and the Interpretation given to 1t by the concourse
OF people who took the life OF Mr.. Stephens, 1t Is
feared by some, may have been occasoned by
some aggressive addresses or Mr. Stephens
directed against the Catholic Church. while
others would believe that the success which
his mild manners and his earnest laDors to
educate the ignorant people OF the village
had alarmed the Cure and occasioned the words In
his sermon which 1t is declared has resulted in
this tragedy. Another TACT has been developed-
that the military guard OF the village were the
first to discharge their muskes into the body and
head OF the unfortunate Stephens, blowing the
latter to pieces.
Mexican by the name OF Islas, who occupied o
room on the premises, was then killed and the
apartments OF Mr.. Stephens sacked, his papers
ana books taken to the public square and burned
amid great rejOcings, music and the ringing Of
the church bells by the in1uriated assasstns.
AMERICAN INQUIRY.
Upon the American Minister at this city being
notified OF the events he asked full particulars and
tue State Governor, Mr.. Vallarta, ordered troops
to occupy the village and arrest all persons &C
cused, and in fact, promptly took all the steps
cessary to secure the most complete investigation
and the punishment OF the guilty. The federal
government. 1t Is believed, has so lar done every
thing In its power to facilitate the ends OF Justice
me assassination occurred ON the ID i Of this
surviving Protestant minister and associate OF
Mr. stephens, received communication at
ons te eay G s any
signed by sixteen persons believed to be students
in training for the catholic Church les terms are
boldly expressed and its threats cannot be misin-
terpreted. IL Will be observed that under the con-
dillOn OF President Lerdo's refusing to expel the
Protestant ministers from the country as per-
niclOus foreigners, 1t Is proposed to hold HIM re-
sponsiDle. Jointly with the Protestant ministers
rom the United States for the bloody conse-
quences which are to follow revolution when the
slgners Of the communication say Will soon be in
augurated. The Executive will, OF course, take
steps to subject to the law the Sgners OF this sam
culinary letter and which Is now being repub-
ished by the press throughout the country.
THE LETTER OF BLOOD.
Here Is the letter, which have translated ex-
pressy for the NEW YORK HERALD:-
Mr.; DAVID WATKINS =
Mr. stephens not account OF the TACT but because the
IN he S n e. e
). has sss nd
Watkins, we know what many of our companions suffer
@ IN he
@ aid ana n
prevent in the name OF the scyeneighs part OF the
Roman Catholics, declare and swear to that We
Which, you sna To % macS envy M and
which We will defend At cost from internal
We know that the American Minister has asked de-
Of Pluto and Luther fhs IS only to Provoke IN
4, We oer re- rS
rs the ss naw s
the nation to decree your espusiSn who really diner
n anon wU wnS e 20 the M
government Of the nation does not comply with our
the door To and we viii ak INN
ana responsible tor the events which take place
lose existence rather than that religion which
we also send this date the press dor the
formation Of our compatriots ana to serve a. warning
ne petition Which make 70 iSs
done us sufficient evil.
eoa"s9y where your dsprsdsons may y'S be
Long live the apostolic Roman Catholic religion /
Long live Mexico anu her part OF Catholics
who profess that religionp' .
!, Signed by Jesus Bcnites Mariana Anorga. Miguel
Cruz. Antonio Rivera, Miguel Frutos, Sixto Lopez,
andres Campuzano Jesus Ordonica, Juan Andrade,
Tomas Perez Fras Felix Ochoa, Juan Gutierrez, Her.
menigildo Jimenez Aveino Ramos Miguel Otero. Ger.
man sierra.
CITIZEN LIBERALISM REVOLVING AGAINST CHURCH
TYRANNY.
Such is the letter which MIR. Watkins received.
Meanwhile the trial Of the priest and sOldlery OF
Ahualuco s in progress This tragedy, followed
by the letter CIRCULAR has called out the editor
OF paper called the Juan PunGderO, in Guadala-
jara, who says:-
suited but 1t Is sought TO wipe out the evangelical prin
cple love another and substitute for it LET
assassination OF Mr. stephens is the bloody injury
which could have happened to our progress II any
they have seen that constitution guarantees
the OF their beliefs that ii cannot comply with
what We have promised left III the condition Of
savage people who oppose all relations with the
the world.
The religion, Catholic paper, admits that the
conduct or the assasSinS OF Ahualulco was not
Catholic. claiming that Ca tholicsm does not need
such measures In its behalf as 1t has TRUTH justice
and the protection Of heaven on It's side.
APosTLEIsM OF THE TEN COMM NDMENrs
Mr.. Philip J. Pedroza has leader in the issue OF
18th inst. OF the Guadalalara paper called the
Ld1azG de s. Baltdzar, in which he condemns In the
pitterest terms the assassination, and mourns for