Page:Mexico (1829) Volumes 1 and 2.djvu/279

M EXICO. 241 ing the confirmation of the Pope, was thought too dangerous an experiment in a country, where a compliance with the po- pular prejudices of the day rendered it necessary to insert, as the third article of a Constitution, (liberal enough in most other respects,) a declaration that the exercise of no religion but that of the Church of Rome should be tolerated within the territories of the Republic. Under these trying circumstances, great prudence was ne- cessary, and great moderation has been shown. The clergy, in every instance, have preferred the interests of the order in general to any prospects of individual advancement. Far from insisting upon hasty, or premature changes, the old Spanish dignitaries have not only been allowed to retain undisturbed possession of their preferments, but even vacan- cies have not been filled up, in the hope that the speedy con- clusion of a Concordat with the See of Rome would give the Government a right of Patronage, to which not even the most zealous Catholics could object. Of the probability of such an arrangement there is not, at present, any appearance ; the Pope not having yet consented to receive a Mexican Minister in his public capacity. But the six years which have elapsed since the declaration of Independence, have rendered the concurrence of His Holiness no longer of such vital importance. The country has been prepared, gradually, for a change, which cannot now be much longer deferred ; and should there be any farther delay on the part of the Court of Rome, the situation of the Mexican Church is such, that the Government, in assuming the right of presentation to all vacancies, will not only be supported by the Clergy, but will set the stamp of law upon the general wish of the nation. - A short view of the present state of the Ecclesiastical esta- blishments of New Spain will place this point in a clearer light. The Repubhc is divided into one Archbishopric, (that of VOL. I. R