CHAPTER II.
CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT.
1824-1829.
Authorities Inaugurated — President Victoria — Injustice to his Character — Political Situation — Amnesty for Political Offenders — First Ordinary Congress — Arizpe's Character and Public Career — Germs of Future Calamity — Masonic Lodges and Political Parties — Poinsett — The Press — Financial Troubles — Disturbances in Vera Cruz — Novenarios — Plan of Montaño — Bravo's Rebellion and its Suppression — Expatriation of Bravo and Others — The Yorkinos Triumphant — Presidential Election — Imparciales versus Guerrerists — Santa Anna's Rebellion — Revolt of La Acordada — The Parian Sacked — Congressional Action — Guerrero Made President — End of Victoria's Rule — His Last Days and Death
The constitutional era was now fairly begun. On the 10th of October, 1824, President Guadalupe Victoria and Vice-president Nicolás Bravo assumed their respective offices, after having sworn to support the constitution, and to discharge their duties faith fully. The president s inaugural address shows that he was conscious of his responsibilities. He bespoke the aid of providence and the coöperation of the people, assuring them that the prosperity of the nation was near to his heart. Religion should be allowed neither to wear the garb of superstition nor sink into licentiousness, while for independence he would die.[1]
- ↑ La independencia so afianzará con mi sangre, y la libertad se perderá con mi vida. Gaz. de Mex., 1824, iv. 225-7; Mex. Col. Leyes, Órd, y Dec., iii. 107-9; Bustamante, Cuad. Hist., MS., viii. 270; Id., Voz de la Patria, ii. no. 5, 4-5. A portrait of Victoria in oil hangs in the Colegio de San Ildefonso of Mexico, of which he had been an alumnus. Alaman, Hist. Mej., v. 811, 958.
(27)
