CHAPTER XXVIII.
DOWNFALL OF LIBERAL INSTITUTIONS.
1857-1858.
Conservative Intrigues — Talk of a Coup d'État — Spanish Complications — Comonfort's Vacillating Course — Hostility of the Clergy Continues — Congress Installed — Comonfort Avows Liberalism — His Election as Constitutional President — Promises Made and Violated — Plan of Tacubaya — Comonfort Becomes its Chief — Action of Congress Arrest of Juarez and Others — Reactionists Victorious — Comonfort's Overthrow — Civil War in Full Blast — Zuloaga, Reactionary President — Juarez, Constitutional President — His Narrow Escape from Capture — He Establishes his Government in Vera Cruz.
The conservative party, awake to seize every opportunity afforded it by the disturbed condition of the country, boldly came to the front, now that the men of well-known political views had been superseded by others, who were new in government affairs, or who favored a policy of inaction or compromise. The president was urged by the conservatives to solve pending issues by a coup d'état. While pretending to recognize the sovereignty of the people, they claimed that a majority of the nation was displeased with the new constitution, and wanted him to ignore it, and continue the dictatorship. The bickerings of the liberal press widened the gap in the liberal ranks. The president asked the official journals not to say any thing on behalf of his candidacy, but that did not prevent the triumph of the moderate party.[1]
- ↑ Accomplished by soldiers with their officers at their head capturing the polls. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 521.
