New Britain herald., 1926-07-26
PRESIDENT GALES
EXPLAINS REASON
FOR Church ORDER
CONTINUED from First Page)

make use OF religion for exhibition
purposes or profit. These virile
forces, whether Catholic, Protestants
or of any other religious denomina-
ton, will not be affected by the eff
forts of this evil-intentioned group"
Bishop Made Threats
In order 10 form an opinion OF the
present religious situation, the presi-
dent continued, it was necessary to
remember that Archbishop Mora y
Del Rio on three occasions had made
public his intention of opposing the
Mexican constitution. The govern
ment could not overlook this be-
cause it would simply be weakness
If the government were Indifferent to
what might be a dangerous dis
turbance Of the public peace.
"What can the government Of any
country do" he asked, when
special group, religious or otherwise,
publicly rejects the fundamental
laws, announces its intention TO fight
such laws, and incites the people 10
repudiate the constitution? My
government can only demand strict
obedience TO the constitution.
Penalties Now Imposed
1--WE have had no need to pass new
laws but merely to enforce already
existing legislation the reform laws
Of more than so years ago. and the
1917 constitution-only issuing regu-
Iatlons establishing penalties.
Such establishment of penalties
Is logically necessary; otherwise en-
forcement of the constitutional re-
ligious clauses, which the clergy IT.
self admits it has been violating,
would be impossible.
I'VE have prescribed penalties in
accordance with the authority in
vested in us by congress. The pen
aties are not excessive and are no
different from those fixed for viola
ton of the constitution in all civil
lied countries.
Not Religious Persecution
The government has clearly
stated that our conduct, whatever
our philosophic or religious ideas, is
not actuated by impulse, persecution,
rancor or ill-will against the arch
bishops and bishops who in 1917
signed the reputation of the consti-
tuition and appeal to rebellion which
their declaration really was.
"Fhe best poor of the truth Of this
attitude is the fact that the govern
ment has enforced the constitution.
although it well knew that one of
the first results would be favorable
to the Mexican clergy. through auto
matte elimination of foreign priests
who did not sign the protest and who
IN some cases were even an obstacle
to the politics of the bad Mexican
clergy who were the enemies of the
government; but their foreign priests
had TO abandon the country because
the consultation SO demanded.
However, frankly, l believe that,
rather than the clergy, the persons
most obstructing the governments
administrative task are those of the
old reactionary tendencies. having
hatred of the revolutions and the
revolutionary government who dis
guise themselves with the religious
cloak and agitate in the name of
religion.
Opportunists Active
The president stated that. among
the groups obstructing the govern !
ments program, may be found at |
torneys, who through strong show
ing Of religious zeal, expect to profit !
professionally as managers or at
torneys of the clergy's property.
Another group of movers in the
religious conflicts, he declared. was
composed of professional political
agitators who, under the guise OF
Catholicism, organized political
party, posing as friends of Francisco
Madero. But on the day after
Madero's assassination, he alleged
these persons allied themselves with
General Victoriano Huerta, Msdero's
enemy.
Il know" he continued, that it is
very hard for the people of the
United States to understand that
there are wicked elements who at
tempt to cover their political ambi-
tons under the mantle of religion. /
Il envy the United States in that
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