of the republic, especially in the central part bordering on the southern range of the valley of Mexico. Xochimilco suffered extremely, and in the capital a number of buildings were ruined, involving also several lives.[1]
All these circumstances added fuel to party spirit, now stirred also by approaching elections. Federalists and Santanistas grew vociferous, and even the persecuted monarchists ventured to wag their tongues,[2] under the protecting folds of clerical gowns, and partly by virtue of the government's invitation to send in suggestions for constitutional reforms, a task which now mainly occupied the attention of the chambers, as required by the late revolution.[3] The chief projects were those from the assemblies, and as these existed in virtue of the actual centralist constitution, it may be seen that the demand for a federal organic law could not prove overwhelming. The proposal to change the system was therefore rejected, partly also on the ground that a new appeal to the nation might place the issue at the mercy of army and mob leaders, with perhaps another dictator. The Santanistas had been watching the progress of the
- ↑ The most severe shock here took place at 52 to 56 minutes past 3 p. m., with a marked recurrence on April 10th. The dome of the magnificent Santa Teresa chapel fell in; the San Lázaro hospital was ruined; the aqueduct was broken in several places, and so forth. 'En Xôchimilco no ha quedado una casa.' Bustamante, Nuevo Bernal Diaz, 31; Id., Mem. Hist. Mex., MS., ii 40–54. The virgin image de los Remedios was carried round to calm the terrified people, and the authorities took several precautions, together with measures for relief. Consult Monit. Constit., April 8 to May 4, 1815; also La Minerva, Diario Gob., and other journals; Cortina, Carta; Pap. Var., cxciv pt 6.
- ↑ Comments on growth of this party in Amigo del Pueblo, July 5, 1845; Pap. Var., cvi. pt vii. 33-5.
- ↑ The invitation was issued on Dec. 10, 1844. As specimen of the conflicting suggestions may be noted: N. Leon, Dictámen sobre Constit., 1-18; Сoah., Iniciativa Reformas, 1-43; Dur., Id., 1-14; ., Id., 1-38; Mich., Id., 1-14; Z., Id., 1-34; p. Var., 1xхxv. pts 4-5. Also in Monit Constit., April 11, 13, May 13, 1845, Boletin Notic., Diario Gob., La Minerva, Amigo del Pueblo, and other journals. Comments in Bustamante, Mem. Hist. Mex., MS., ii. 158-9; Gutierrez, Contest., 24-32; Miranda, Espos., 18-58. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iii. 687-9, 703, takes a very impartial view, although a federalist. Otero advocates strongly federalism. Ensayo, 63-4, 118-36. While Rosa upholds a middle course. Pap. Var., xlii. pt viii. 45-6, clv. pt 5, clxxi. pt 17.
