New-York tribune., 1901-07-28
PEACE WbIILE DIAz RULES.
TWO PRIEStLY SCANDALS WON'T MAKE
REVOLUTION IN MEXICO.
THE CRY OF DOWN WITH THE CHURCHr-
RINGS HOLLOW WHEN THE CHURCH
IS ALREADY DOWN
City Of Mexico. July /.


such an extent that many of the people of the
Tnited States have been led to believe the south
.rn republic is the verge of a revolution.
eorne of the reports OF impending trouble orig
inated on the northern frontier. a thousand
miles from the scenes described, but they have
,rincipally emanated from the columns Of radi-
ral Liberal newspapers, which, like all ultra
nart,san publications in the republic, not
.sken very seriously by the conservative people
nj any party. Political differences that manifest
themselves in noisy vivas through the streets
of in-American capitals grow with the length
NJ the cables TO the proportion of revolutions.
The present trouble in Mexico is not serious
enough 10 cause the slightest unsettling of af-
fairs There is no reason existing for a revolu-
tim since the Church and its power were sup
messed nearly half century ago. 1t has never
regained even partially its former control OF af-
fairs and in fact does not seek 10 disturb pres
emf existing conditions. Railroads, telegraph
lines material progress and the development
and security of the last quarter Of century
make II almost impossible for the extremists of
any party 10 start an oldtime revolution. The
manifestation of feeling under the present con-
ditions against the priesthood and the Church
can amount to nothing. since there is nothing
hut the memory of the Church's former power to
excite the radical ti-Clersals.
NOTHING TO OPPOSE.
There is nothing now to oppose. and they must
oontent themselves with showing their oppo-
ston TO the priests as consequence of series
Of recent scandals among the clergy These
scandals have simply revived IN degree the old
extreme Liberal party feeling against the Catho
lies When the courts settle the matter, as IT
would be settled in the United States where a
priest was charged with criminal conduct, there
will be an end to the talk OF uprisings and the
cries Of Down with the priesthood"
The cry now heard principally among stu
dents was raised as a consequence of the scan
dal attending, first. upon the flight Of Padre
Jesus del Carmen Amado from Guadalaiara
with something like $4,000 Of Church money
and young woman Maria Padilla. with whom
he went to Spain; and. second, a result Of
charges of seduction of a young woman against
Padre Ignacio Icaza. Icaza is now on trial be-
fore the civil courts. and the evidence against
him appears 20 be so strong to insure his con-
Vction
These and minor scandals have simply revived
discussion Of the Church question long since
settled, and furnished TO the bitter Liberal
papers texts for denunciatory articles against
the Conservative party. They have also fur
nshed college students with cause for ebulli-
ton Of spirit as transient as II is meaningless.
There can be nothing in the cries OF Down with
lne AnuTcn. W0en the CuuTcn Is already GOWN.
It seems rather anomalous that the Church
should have been the OF the division of the
people into political parties and also the cause
Of the bitterest internal wars, when all Mexi-
cans are Catholics. A Mexican is Catholic If
anything, although at present very few men at
tend the ceremonies at the churches. while the
buildings are almost always filled with women.
The families of ultra-Liberals are often the most
devout members of the Church. and the Liberals
themselves. in a contest between the Catholic
and another religion, would doubt warmly
espouse the cause Of the mother Church Among
Mexicans there is a surprising number of fatal
lists and atheists.
INQUISITION HARD ON DIssENTERS
During the Spanish regime in Mexico, and
until 1855, the Catholic was the only religion
permitted in the country. While the Inquisition
existed anybody protesting to be a dissenter suf-
fered severely for it.
Through the fundamentally of the clergy
Spain maintained her domination over Mexico
longer than she could have maintained II with
out the powerful support Of the priests. The
early part Of the nineteenth century witnessed
the high water mark OF Church ascendency.
Spanish born ecclesiastics filled the bshoprics
and other great posts, while the humber Mexi-
can priests did the work and bore the burdens
Immense converts were built, covering a consid-
tfdpie area OF cities ike Mexico, t5uadala1ara.
Puebia, Queretaro and Morelia. They derived
incomes from endowments, and the high ecclesi-
astcs we're supported by tithes The rchbishop
Of Mexico had an income OF S130000 year
and the bishops of places like Guadalajara and
Puebla received from $4,000 10 $4,000 year
churches were erected of remarkable dimen-
SONS and many of them stand to-day, rivalling
me cathedrals of Europe, monuments to
spanish enthusiasm and Indian builders.
II would not be fair to suppose that all OF the
Church dignitaries were selfish and unscrupu-
ious Many were pious and benevolent men,
VINO spent their large incomes in charitable
works and for missionary undertakings among
remote Indians
Inc church lent money to landed proprietors
al moderate rate Of interest while the land
o"ners IN turn became a powerful support and
ihnuence ia the Church's favor. The Church
heia vast wealth in mortgages, and gradually
secured large amounts of real estate. Mortgages
'h most OF the real estate in the City of Mexico
were heid by the Church, which was seldom op-
pressive and not AT all usurious
Eccleslastic life lost many Of it's attractions
alter the revolution that effected the indepen-
0ence Of the country. Up to that time rnany
men undoubtedly became friars because they
we're handsomely supported in ease and because
"ie church was considered the ideal career for
Young men Of the time
WOMEN DRAWN TO THE CoNVENTs.
me numerous nunneries sheltered thousands
" women who did good as educators and
es. Although there abuses many
"Vihen felt drawn to the converts from the de-
tfe to do works Of charity. But rich Young
"0'hen were so frequently persuaded by schem-
e Priests TO renounce the world Ehar the abuse
nie common The Liberal party grew in op-
silon TO the power and abuses of the Church.