with Montes, the envoy sent with overtures.[1] The conservative journals paraded in their columns a number of retractions, boasting of their triumph. Comonfort, in order to avoid disputes with the clergy during the lenten season, went to reside temporarily at Tacubaya, where he had a garrison of 2,000 men under Zuloaga; but this did not avert the conflict that occurred in the holy-week between the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of the capital. The latter refused admittance on holy Thursday, April 9th, to the governor and other officials into the cathedral, on the ground of their being excommunicated for having sworn to support the constitution.[2] These difficulties did not, however, prevent the execution of the president's decree; the constitution was gradually recognized throughout the republic, even by some ecclesiastics. Zealous catholics much desired to have their religion declared the religion of the state, to the exclusion of all other creeds. Petitions then came from all parts, asking the president to have the powers conferred by article 123 of the constitution[3] used as the basis for the furtherance of their wishes.
The elections fully occupied the leaders of the liberal party, each seeking prominent position for himself. A central electoral committee or club had been installed in Mexico, whose members demanded of Co-
- ↑ He was received by Cardinal Antonelli, but not in his official capacity, the pope refusing him recognition till the property of the church should be restored, and the hostile laws enacted were repealed. La Cruz, v. 447-8, 671-2.
- ↑ There was a riot in consequence, and finally the government had to protect the lives of the canons. Some of the leaders were punished. The archbishop was imprisoned in his palace for a few days, several canons were arrested in the ayuntamiento's hall; others hid themselves. A number of rioters were put in jail. It will be well to observe that in no other part of the republic was a similar insult offered the government. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., iii. 484-95; El Estandarte Nac., Apr. 11, 13, 1857; La Cruz, iv. 58195; La Nacion, Apr. 11, 14, 1857; Diario de Avisos, Apr. 11, 13, 15, 1857; El Eco Nac., Apr. 12, 14, 15, 1857; El Progreso, May 16, 1857.
- ↑ The federal authorities exclusively had such power of intervention as might be designated by the laws in matters of religious cult and external discipline. This had been misinterpreted as undue interference in matters of conscience; but it really signified such laws as might be enacted for the protection of the political institutions and peace of the country.
