the requirements of the 127th article of that fundamental law being fulfilled.[1]
The proposed reforms were good in themselves, but the manner suggested to effect them met with public disfavor. They were not urgent, and might be introduced without infringing the supreme law of the land. The idea of allowing ecclesiastics the power to interfere in elections was distasteful to the more advanced liberals. In fact, the whole proposition produced such a bad effect that Juarez found it expedient to make explanations;[2] but his words failed to allay the popular discontent, which was exhibited in the protests of political clubs, ayuntamientos, and other corporations, every such act increasing the general disquietude.[3] Distinguished members of the liberal party recommended a complete abstention from voting on that part of the electoral decree comprising the proposed amendments.[4]
These differences led to the organization of a compact party calling itself constitucionalista, and favoring the election of Porfirio Diaz to the presidency:[5]
- ↑ Establishment of two legislative chambers; giving the executive the veto power, subject to being overruled by a two-thirds vote of both houses of congress; prescribing the mode of filling vacancies caused by the death or inability of the president and vice-president; restricting the power of the comision permanente to call extra sessions of congress. The people were likewise asked to decide if state constitutions were to be amended to conform with the foregoing changes, if adopted; and finally, if ecclesiastics might have the privilege of voting and being voted for. Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., X. 44-50, 67-8; Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 678; Riva Palario, Hist. Adm. Lerdo, 33-10; Boletin Rep., Aug. 18, 21, 1867; Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 1-7; Méx., Col. Ley., 1863-7, iii. 328-9; Convocatoria, Observ., 1-12.
- ↑ In a manifesto of Aug. 22d he said, among other things, that the reform adopted by him had been directed to the development and perfection of the constitution; and that the amendments suggested in his decree of the 14th were an expression of his positive convictions, resulting from past events, and from the dictates of experience in Mexico and other republics. Tovar, Hist. Parl., i. 13-14.
- ↑ At a large public meeting held in the Teatro Principal of Mexico, resolutions were passed against the decree. Nearly all the prominent journals of the country also objected to the innovation. Baz, while acknowledging that the law was 'la manzana de la discordia,' and the opposition just though exaggerated, denies that the latter was justifiable after the government retraced its steps. Vida de Juarez, 300.
- ↑ Among the opponents were Leon Guzman and Mendez, governors respectively of Guanajuato and Puebla, who were dismissed from office. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 679; Boletin Rep., Sept. 2, 1867; El Constitucional, Sept. 26, 1567; La Estrella de Occid., Nov. 22, 1967.
- ↑ Boletin Rep., Sept. 4, 1868.
