secure a similar attitude toward himself. Meanwhile, he sought to open the way for a graceful retreat by declarations like the preceding. Unfortunately, the very eagerness to save appearances carried operations in Mexico upon fictitious ground, to the discomfiture of many calculated plans for the material prestige as well as Mexican regeneration. For the present, the deferring of the church-property question gave rise to conflicting doubts; the upholding of the incomplete regency, without appeal to the assembly, was arbitrary; and promises and reports were made to create illusions, many of them bitterly shattered already at the outset, by neglecting to protect, against the vengeance of the Juarists, towns and districts that had been induced to swear allegiance to the empire. These and other acts served to rouse distrust, even to create enemies, and to neutralize more or less the liberal and conciliatory policy which promised to win adherents.[1]
Bazaine's direct share in shaping the new policy was manifested in a proclamation of October 8th, promising to sincerely carry out the programme of June 12th, by causing the sequestration decree of Forey against republican adherents in Puebla to be annulled,[2] and by effecting the reorganization of the Mexican army for more thoroughly coöperating in the ensuing campaigns. One of the principal reforms was to forbid the demoralizing presence of women, who accompanied almost every corps, embarrassing operations, plundering, and spreading vice and disaffection. The regular army was placed under Marquez, and the auxiliary under Mejía, Vicario, and others.[3] These
- ↑ The fact that the movement was led by a foreign power, hated for its superiority and success, must operate against it to some extent; and superstition, class, and race feeling, and party spirit and ambition, were still too strong for indulging the hope that a voluntary fusion might be effected, like that under the plan of Iguala. Napoleon wrote decisively against any reactionary policy, although not objecting to temporizing in order to keep the clergy in good humor. Comments in Domenech, Hist. Mex., iii. 95 et seq.; Iglesias, Interven., ii. 184-919; Kératry, Max., 25-8.
- ↑ Méx., Boletin Ley., 1863, 386-7.
- ↑ For regulations and leading generals, see Id., 304-14. The decree was issued Sept. 25th, so that Forey contributed his aid.
