a decree abrogating the law that conferred on the government council power to appoint a substitute president, and appointing Comonfort as such during his own temporary absence.[1] The legitimacy of the appointment, though disputed by the government council, whose president was Valentin Gomez Farías, was really within the limit of Álvarez' authority. This culmination of the crisis was well received, and quieted the public mind. The manner of transferring the presidency was not, indeed, in accord with democratic theory, but under the circumstances none other was possible. Some attempts at disturbing the peace were made by the lower classes, instigated by Comonfort's opponents, but they were energetically quelled by the governor of the district. Owing to these disturbances, there were at the same time two presidents and none at all, till the 10th; for Álvarez hesitated about giving up the executive authority, and Comonfort resolved to have no further interference with public affairs, retiring to his house. Álvarez made him a visit, and after a long conference publicly surrendered him the office, on the 11th of December, at four o'clock in the afternoon. On the 18th of December Álvarez left the capital, escorted by the Guerrero troops.[2] In the mountains he fought for Comonfort's administration. In the war of foreign intervention he showed much patriotic ardor, and his efforts were appreciated by President Juarez, who gave orders to
- ↑ 'Por mi separacion temporal del gobierno.' The office to be filled, in the event of the substitute president's temporary inability, by the president of the supreme court with two associates, named by the substitute president himself. The council of government refused to administer the oath to Comonfort, claiming that they, and not Álvarez, under the plan of Ayutla, had the authority to appoint the substitute. Comonfort was sworn in, however, on the 11th. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., i. 130-4; Méx., Legisl. Mej., 1855, 627-9; Zarco, Hist. Cong., i. 56-61; La Bandera de Ayutla, 1856, Jan. 12; Dublan and Lozano, Leg. Mex., vii. 629, 630; Méx., Col. Ley. Fund., 322.
- ↑ The reactionary Arrangoiz, who had no love for the old veteran, or for liberals in general, accuses him of having in the few days of his rule issued Deveral iniquitous decrees, sanctioned by the ministers Ocampo, Arrioja, Prieto, Juarez, and Comonfort. Álvarez, 'se volvió acompañado de sus hordas salvages al Sud; era imposible para él vivir entre gentes civilizadas.' Méj., ii. 346-7.
