The Portland daily press., 1878-04-23
Mexico and her Troubles.


The news comes from Mexico that the fol-
lowers of Lerdo are once more in full insur-
rection, and the unhappy republic menaced
again by revolution. The strength of the
revolutlonists can only be estimated, but
there is good reason to believe thai they will
be unable to overthrow the mild and con-
stitutional rule of President Diaz. It can
not be doubted that this latest revolt is insti-
gated by the Church party which finds Its ac-
count in the dissensions of the Liberals and
hopes to recover portion at least of its lost
power. Lerdo, the pupil and successor of
Jaurez, is nominally Liberal, but his hatred
OF Diaz and his disappointment at his defeat
in the presidential contest have led him into
intrigues with the Clericals and he has appar-
emily made them large promises in considera-
ton of their support.
The Church party has been the curse of
Mexico and has kept the country in turmoil
ever since Miguel Hidalgo raised the STAN
dard of revolt against Spain in 1910. But the
progress of the Liberals has been continuous
and the country is to-day more liberal and
better governed than at any previous time.
The revolt of 1910 was an Indian insurrec-
tion, was put down by the priests and their
followers, who excommunicated the whole
insurgent force in body, conducted the war
with savage ferocity, and finally succeeded in
capturing and killing Hidalgo in 1911. But it
broke out again under Morelos, the priestly
and royal forces were defeated, and the inde-
pendence of Mexico declared in 1914. The
struggle was kept up until 1920, when the
patriots won the fight. Baffied in war the
Clericals resorted to intrigue. They affected
to desire the freedom of Mexico but agreed
that monarchical form of government best
fitted for the country, and urged the giving
OF the crown to Ferdinand of Spain. So spe-
cious were their arguments that they gained
the support of part Of the patriots. Thus
reinforced they with the aid Of Agustin
Iturbide, roYalist general, overthrow the
provisional government, seized the capital
and issued the famous 'Pact of the Three
Guarantees" or '.Plan of Iguala," as it is
sometimes called. This pact reiterated the
declaration of independence, invited Ferdi-
nand to the throne of Mexico, and ordered
the formation of national army "for the
support of religion, independence and
unien." The clergy were confirmed in all
their privileges. But Iturbide preferred the
part of Bonaparte to that of Monk, and
caused himself to be proclaimed Emperor,
hoping to rally the country to the support of a
native dynasty. His attempt was failure.
The Empire lasted only from 1921 to 1928. In
the last-named year revolt broke out in the
army. Generals Victoria and Santa Anna
issued the first "pronunciamento," rallied
the Liberals to their support, and overthrew
Iturbide. A federal constitution was framed,
representative congress elected, and Vic
toria chosen the first President Of the new
Republic. No sooner was he firmly seated
than he went over to the Clericals, and
framed concordat with the Holy See by
which all its old authority was confined to
the Mexican church. The cheated Liberals
rose in arms, and after a struggle of nine
years defeated the reactionists. Congress
decreed the abolition of church tithes, an
oppressive tax upon the agricultural
products of the country. In 1885 the
struggle was renewed. The Liberals again
succeeded, but lost the fruits of their vic
tory through the treachery of Santa Anna.
The contest was however continued until
1857, when the Liberals got possession of the
administrative machinery, and proclaimed
the constitution of the Sd of February, which
is now the organic law of the Republic.
That constitution provided for freedom of
religion and education, liberty of the press,
naturalization of church property, subordi-
nation of the army to the civil power, and
encouragement Of education. But it was four
years longer before the Clericals were beaten.
In 1851 the authority of Jaurez as President
was generally acknowledged. The Clercals
again resorted to intrigue, and shortly
after brought over Maximilian, and with the
aid of French troops established the "Latin
Empire" That was overthrown in 1867,
and the constitution of Juarez once more put
in force. The power of the Clergy seemed
broken.
But the Clericals have again availed them
selves Of dissensions in the ranks of the Lib.
erals. Once more as so many times before
within the last half century, Liberal leader
has gone over to them. Lerdo is the latest
of the Mexican traitors. He may succeed,
but 1t is not probable. Despite intrigue and
armed revolution Mexico has made great
progress in civil and religious liberty. 1t is
not to be belieyed that she will again give
herself into the hands of the priests after
the long and arduous struggle of fifty years
which she has made against them.