monfort a declaration of principles before giving him their support for the chief magistracy; but as he declined to give such a statement, alleging that he had no aspiration for that office, they took up Miguel Lerdo de Tejada for president of the republic, and Benito Juarez for president of the supreme court, both of whom also refused to issue the manifesto required. The committee then split. Lerdo's organ in the press, and his most strenuous supporter, the Clamor Progresista, lowered his prestige by declaring, to catch wavering votes, that a man may change his political opinions as circumstances demand.[1] The consequence was, that the whole liberal press threw the weight of its influence in favor of Comonfort.
The institutions of the country were yet in jeopardy, not merely from the boiling of the political caldron, as seen in the attacks of a hostile press and pulpit, but also from the armed bands, and the repeated attempts at revolt in different quarters. Mejía and his followers refused to submit, unless on terms inadmissible by the government. There was an outbreak in Aguascalientes, and Puebla showed signs of insurrection. A plot was discovered in Tacubaya, in which several officers of the garrison were concerned, said to be for murdering the president; similar discoveries were made in Mexico and other places. A serious Indian revolt occurred in Guerrero.[2]
One of the great obstacles to a proper administration of affairs was the want of a compact and firm ministry, and the situation was rendered more precarious by
- ↑ 'Miéntras mas apto es un hombre para los negocios públicos, mayores han sido los cambios á que ha sujetado su opinion, segun las sabias inspiraciones de la experiencia y de las circumstancias.' Quoted in Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 519. In June, Lerdo and Melchor Ocampo, who had also been a presidential candidate, withdrew their names. Id., Hist. Jalapa, iv. 782.
- ↑ Chilapa, garrisoned by about 200 men, was besieged May 4th by 3,000 Indians, under Juan Antonio and Padre Juarez. The troops, after exhausting their ammunition, attempted a sally, and were cut to pieces, more than half perishing, and only a few escaping. The inhabitants, who were hostile to the constitution, in the pursuit aided the assailants in committing many crimes. General Juan Álvarez went there to dislodge them. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iv. 775.
