Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-10
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL y. COLLINS.

Mexico is in the midst Of presi-
Dental election. Nearly so years
ago, the National Editorial Associa.
ton Of America visited Mexico. during
the reign Of Porfrio Diaz as Presi-
dent. The term reign" is used
advisedly, for although Mexico was q
republic. fashioned after the order Of
the United States, Porflrio Diaz as
President was benevolent mon
arch. Giving gracious audience 70
the 400 visiting editors, he assured
them that Mexico had great respect
FOR the institutions of the United
States and was indicating that regard
by initiating them so far as prac-
ticable, although he explained that It
was .Iike a child proud to wear his
grandfather's trousers, which would
al better after the boy had grown up
How much has Mexico grown up
since the days Of Diaz2 How much
nearer is It to filling the trousers OF
its grandsire?--if Uncle Sam be real.
ly granddaddie to the successors OF
Cortez.
The outstanding point at issue in
such a comparison today is Mexic0,s
alleged intolerance of all religions,
manifested particularly in her per-
senution or prosecution Of the Roman
catholic priesthood and schools, and
absolutely forbidding the teaching OF
any religion in any school. The
Protestant schools are equally banned
from teaching religion, but they have
not been so conspicuously prosecuted.
1t is alleged by adherehts Of the
present administration that President
Gales il doing nothing new IN en-
forcing the constitution and OLD laws
against "pernicious activity" OF the
nriests. on the other hand, the priests
declare that they have violated no
laws. but that they are .obeying
divine law in teaching their fiocks
the principles Of Christianity.
The first amendment of the United
states Constitution--a dopted within F.
few months after the original Constt-
tuition was the provision, Congress
shall make no law respecting an es-
Establishment Of religion. or prohibiting
the free exercise thereof or aprlag-
ing the freedom Of speech OF the press,
etc.
Mexico i constitution does not emu
late ours in regard to never prohibits
Ing the free exercise of religion. Hon.
Arturo M. Elias, consul general Of
Mexico to the United States, writes
WITH considerable warmth In defend
ing his government from the charge OF
opnusition to religion He differen-
tiates between religion and what he
terms the hierarchy. He points out
that what was equivalent to our
Declaration Of Indepe ndence vas the
terry Or Independence which Father
T1idaIgo raised IN the rallying Of ms
little flock, and later Of all patriots,
against the tyranny Of the Spanish
hieTar cl1y ana its royal instruments.
FIidalgo fought for true freedom,
which included freedom of conscience.
He was captured and executed in 1911,
soon after he had started the revolt,
but the rebellion continued under the
leadership Of Father Morelos, until in
Idependence from Spain was achieved
| IN 1921. at the end OF decade OF Dit
ter war. IN which II WAS the priests
who led the struggle against the
| hiera rchy. That struggle was not war
against the church. but war within
the church against the tyranny Of
| Spain and the hierarchy
Recently. exsJndge Alfred ], Talley,
chairman OF q committee Of the Cath
loIic Club OF New York., issued q. de.
mand that the United States should
declare that Mexico ~ unit To be
| longer regarded as worthy to be in
cluded In the family or nations.
cur own Constitution prohibits Con.
gfess oil the Executive from ifiterEefr
Ing in any way in our exercise OF
| freedom I'll religion Cur government
| Therefore can neither prohibit nor
lc0n1mand any action here RESPECTING