industries and commerce, the organization of public defence, and every other measure conducive to the welfare of the country would engage the government's best care.[1]
There was a lack of unanimity in the councils of the chief men of the liberal party. Confusion prevailed, and the worst symptoms of disorder existed in the several states, resulting from having become involved in the last revolution before they had completed their constitutional organization. Their governors and legislatures had been unable to do aught but provide for the defence of the national government. That state of things gave birth to an abnormal and arbitrary régime, martial law ruling even after the overthrow of the reaction.[2] There were not wanting some states, like Zacatecas, disposed to ignore the constitution. Some governors had been chosen by their people; others owed their positions to the general government. A number had wielded despotic powers a long time, and a few even had refused to publish the reform laws, and to obey the constitution. Some states had legislatures, and others had not. The situation was so complicated that there was only one man, Juarez, who could overcome so many obstacles, and bring order out of chaos.[3] He directed that martial law, wherever existing, should cease, together with all extraordinary powers of a military nature granted the governors.[4]
The government experienced great difficulty from the decrease of the revenue on the one hand, and on the other from the immense claims — resulting from
- ↑ Thus were epitomized the points embraced in the circular of the minister of relations. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., v. 77-99.
- ↑ In states where the reaction succumbed before its final defeat at the capital, attempts were made to restore constitutional order; in others it had been necessary to continue the military rule after Juarez' government returned to Mexico.
- ↑ Rivera assures us that Juarez, without being at all presumptuous, felt the consciousness that he was the man for the occasion. Gob. de Méx., ii. 607.
- ↑ Decrees of January 24 and 25, 1861; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., ix. 22.
