New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-14


The people who were forced into the
ranks of the political chieftains, with the
merchants who were compelled to loan
money to overthrow order, have profited
by the opportunity to throw of their
grievous burdens, and support respon-
sible government. President Lerdo has
administered the law and policy of the
republic with knowledge Of the wants
of his own people, and respect for the
opinions of all civilized nations.
The recent message of the President
shows most encouraging progress, pol
itical and material. The constitutional
system has been perfected by adding that
deliberative and revisory body, the Senate,
and the form corresponds with that of the
model republic in every respect. In other
respects the President conforms to more
liberal policy. He manifests no fear of
embarrassment or oppression from the
United States. He sees that isolation
and stagnation have neither saved China
nor India from invasion and conquest.
Reversing the policy of his predeces-
sors, he has boldly introduced all the
facilities of modern industry and inter-
communication. Railroads and schools
have been opened, foreign capital that
surest hostage of foreign friendship--has
been invited. Where Mexico could
not build road OR open a mine, she
has permitted and invited foreigners to
bury their money in her soil. If it bring
fruit she WILTSHIRE it; if it perish without
production, it will at least have compen-
stated her own property and labor. The
great triumph Of President Lerdo has
consisted in consummating the purpose
of President Juarez and establishing free
dom of religious opinion and the complete
separation of the State from ecclesiastical
control or participation. In effecting his
object he has secularized the church prop
erty, whose worldly cares must have alb
stracted the holy contemplation of the
spiritual proprietors from sacred and
concentrated them upon secular affairs.
They were suddenly made Trappists in
spite Of themselves. They renowned
nal gre bon gre tie pomps and vanities OF
this wicked world, whether they devoted
themselves to abstinence, labor, silence
and prayer, or no. The Congress of
Mexico re-enacted the law of the Constitu-
ent Assembly Of France in 1889, so far as
it related to the property and revenues Of
the Church, and, we believe, dissolved the
monastic obligation.
In temporal point of view, this policy
has had the same effect to liberate and
liberalize the enterprise of thought and
action which similar measures had pro-
duced in England, France, and elsewhere.
In the interests of vital religion, we
should expect the same good effects which
entire freedom, of religion and competi-
ton for the capture and cure of souls has
occasioned in the United States, where
the voluntary system has succeeded so
well.
President Lerdo, having discarded the
Spanish jealousy toward other nations,
boldly opens the most intimate inter-
course with those from whom his pre-
decessors have apprehended most danger
The Mexican Congress grants permission
to crosse the Rio Grande with one road,
the Sierra Madre with another, while a
third may seek the Pacific port of Quay
mas. The northern republic is thus
thrown open to all. The President has
noted the Republican policy toward the
British possessions of Canada. He has
noted that the most intimate inter-
course has existed between the United
States and Canada for more than a CEN
fury; that in spite of wars, the tempting
values and frequent disputes on the fish
cries, the obvious importance of control
ing the whole lakes and their outlet of
the st. Lawrence. Notwithstanding the
United States could at any time within the
last twenty-five years have captured Cam
ada, the most fraternal relations exist be-
tween the two countries, and each has &C.
corded to the other rights of commerce
md navigation of the most invaluable
character to each. President Lerdo has
seen that passengers cross the line with
out passports, that Mexico could send her
commodities destined for Canada through |
American ports and over American ways.
There has been a convention of recipro- |
,ity, which was terminated by notice from
he United States during our civil war.
While, however, our government may
nave suspended this intercourse to pique |
he British government for its recognition
If the Confederate belligerents, it has
been estimated that forty thousand Cana
lians entered the Union army during the
var, and thus, though subjects of sover-
ign, contributed to the stability of this
'epublic.
Such is sketch of the republican policy
If Mexico. 1t is precisely in harmony
With that Of the United States. These
lister republics can, between them, repub-
icanize and guarantee the whole conti-
tent to freedom and order. We hope the
,eople OF Mexico will indorse and continue
his policy until it shall be consummated
n the great objects indicated.