The sun., 1892-02-21

imperial crown to be worn In tne hhi's
the MoNTEzvMAs. So long as the civil wa
In the United States was continued. backet
rs MACMILLAN was by the soldiers OF th'
French Emperor, who hoped to convert
Mexico into a French dependency and set or
example on our continent OF the superiority
OF monarchical over republican institutions
| JuAREy was driven to northern corner ol
the republic. and the success OF NAPOLEON
seemed possible But when our wal
came to an end. and SHERIDAN was In the
ncghborhood of tho Rio Grande In COM
mand of forty thousand veteran troops
ready TO march to- the Gulf, the French
ruler concluded thatit was time for his men
to depart In peace while they could: anu he
left his dupe in the lurch.
Finding himself deserted by his only
| support-for few native Mexicans took
military service under him-MAxIMIL1AN
started to leave the country. He had pro-
ccedcd as far rs Oriznba on his way to Vera
Cruz. where steamer with fires lighted was
waiting to take him back TO Europe. when
he was met by the Reverend Father FISCHER.
and others representing tho clergy. to-
gethcr with some OF the Notables. who
pledged to him an army. ten millions OF
classes md ultimate success. II he would
remain in the country and take up a posi-
ton ut Qucrctaro Int fatal moment he fol-
lowed their advice. and tho steamer that
had been waiting sailed without him.
When he reached QueretarO hc found onlya
small force. and but a few friends. and In
place of tho ten millions which had been
promised. he was forced to dispose OF
his personal property to enable him to pro-
vide for his daily wants. The forces OF
JUAHE2 marched upon him. surrounded
him. captured him, and shot him.
MAMMALIAN being thus out of the way.
JuAREz was In undisputed possession, and
he and his Government commenced at once
to execute tho laws OF reform" The value
Of the Church property was estimated to bc
S3OD,O)0,O0O. and its revenues were greater
than those OF tho Mexican Government.
Converts and monastcries were invaded and
their occupants dispersed or scnt out Of the
country. Only tho right Of using the Gu
thedrals and churches was granted to the
clergy. All tho outward splendor Of the
Church seemed now to have passed away.
Religious professions Of every sort were in
terdctcd. Priests were not permitted even
to wear any insignia which would denote
their profession. Like their prototypes Of
an earlier era. they were obliged to perform
many Of their rites in secret
The property OF tho Church was placed
upon the market. Its actual value wns
sufficient to pay the national debt several
times over. Most Of 1t changed hands, but
to what purpose tho proceeds were applied
is mystery. Very certainly they were
not used to pay tho public debt. for that re-
maincd at its original figure. if it was not
increased. after the property had been dis
posed OF. What was supposed to be certain
was that the power Of the Church was COM
pletely broken. never again to reippear.
Observe that tho laws and the govern.
ment proceedings under them were not
directed against the Church itself JUAREz
was II Catholic. as DIAz is q Catholic. They
were simply against the absorption Of the
land by the Church and against the polti-
cal power which, as they contended. the
possession OF lands gave to the Church,
and which 1t exercised. Priests were not
prohibited from celebrating mass in quiet
way. or from administering the conso-
lations OF religion. Their secular estates
We're simply taken from them. the pretext
being that the proceeds were to be applied
to the payment Of the national debt The
spiritual power Of the Church. however. re-
and it has resulted in restoring the
Church to it's former position OF wealth. if
not to greater one. certainly to a more
available description of wealth. Before the |
reform laws this wealth consisted princi-
paily in land. Now it is money. Concen-
trated capital Is. in time OF need. the most |
available species Of wealth.
How has tho Church been able to reach |
This achievement?
No good Catholic would occupy house |
which formerly had belonged to the Church.
without the consent Of his priest. No good |
Catholic would work on q farm which |
had been clerical property. without the con-
sent of his priest. When ono was near the
point OF death, IL he had purchased Church
property and had not made an arrange
nent with the Bishop in respect thereof,
absolution was withheld until he had re-
paired the omission.
Marriage is. by law. only civil contract.
out no woman in Mexico will consent to
become wife unless her marriage receives
he blessing OF the Church; and no priest
would give this blessing to tho daughter
)r son OF a man or woman who had ac-
Iurcd Church property. unless restitution
lad been made. No child could be chris
,ened whose parents wore In that category.
1t is thirty years since restitution in this
shape has been carried on. and. although
he probable amount Of money paid seems
small in comparison with the value OF
ho property sold. still the aggregate
'eceived must be very great. And it is all
lnrd money. Considering that the popula-
ion OF tho country exceeds ton millions:
hat. with very few exceptions. the inhab-
tants are Catholics that the Church charges
or every rite that it is called upon to per-
orm. and also receives considerable dona-
ions. the amount accumulated during tho
,eriod in question must be prodigious. II
ve calculate the figures ut $500. .OOO. 900. We
nly fix the sum contributed annually by
ach inhabitant at one dollar; and all this
money is employed at q good rate of interest
rput away in safe places. Thus the Church
q a., H.,