Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/21

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HISTORY OF MEXICO.


CHAPTER I.

INTERNAL AND FOREIGN COMPLICATIONS.

1861.

Expulsion of Foreign Diplomates — Exile of High Ecclesiastics — Reorganization of Government — Measures of Conciliation — Differences among the Liberals — Foreign Relations Interrupted — Meeting of Congress — Character of its Members — Benito Juarez Elected President — Reactionary War Renewed — Liberal Victories — Financial Distress and Suspension of Payments — Foreign Protests — Treaty of Intervention in London — Course of the United States and Mexico — Ministerial Crisis.

The constitutionalists and reformers have won the victory. The power upheld by the reactionists during the last three years of horrors is overthrown. It would seem that Juarez and his fellow-laborers have a clear field, and an opportunity to plant the institutions to win which so many lives were sacrificed. But such is not the case. There are innumerable obstacles yet to overcome before reaching the happy consummation of their hopes.

The reactionary leaders though cast down are not crushed. Undismayed by reverses, they are still battling for supremacy under the war-cry, 'religion y fueros;' and to win they will resort to any device, even to inviting the intervention of European monarchies to their support. Nor is this the only difficulty the liberal administration has to contend