sides of the depredations caused by marauding bands,[1] and the impending invasion of Mexican territory by filibustering forces organized in California.
The constituent congress closed its session on the 17th of February,[2] without enacting organic laws for the development of the constitution, and the people for a time feared there might be trouble when they saw day after day pass without the new fundamental law being published. However, as it did not imply restriction upon religious opinions, society placed itself on the side of the government; and thus was the formidable opposition on the ground of religion and fueros disarmed. The reverses suffered by the reaction had proceeded from moral rather than material force; for the people well understood that the plan of Ayutla conveyed positive benefits, equality before the law, and social reform. The partisans of reaction had now nothing to hope for, except from dissensions that might break out in the liberal party at the promulgation of the constitution. The outlook was favorable to future peace and order, and therefore the government felt enabled to carry out the programme outlined by President Comonfort in his last address to the national deputies. He took advantage of this lull to promulgate several important laws, some of which affected the clergy, such as that establishing the registro del estado civil, and that for the establishment and use of cemeteries.[3] These two laws,
- ↑ Specially in Jalisco, where the Indians plundered several haciendas in the direction of Chapala, and murdered the chief authority of Zacoalco. For this reason Parrodi had to resume command in Jalisco. Rivera, Hist. Jalapa, iv. 750.
- ↑ Comonfort, in bidding it farewell, said that the task imposed on him, namely, 'la preparacion del campo en que la semilla constitucional ha de fructificar,' was an arduous one; but he trusted the people would aid him to prepare the field. He promised to do all in his power to maintain friendly relations with foreign nations; to enforce a proper administration of justice; to establish a good financial system; to look after the nation's security and independence; and to promote everything conducive to her prosperity. Archivo Mex., Col. Ley., iii. 67-72; La Nacion, Feb. 18, 1857.
- ↑ Lafragua is said to have been the framer of both laws. The former required all inhabitants of the republic, except the members of foreign legations and minors, to be inscribed in the register. Without it they could perform no civil act, and infractors of the law were also subject to a fine of from one
