As will be seen, he begins by asserting his full adherence to the
so-called “laws of reform,” which destroyed the power and secularized
the property of the Mexican clergy.
He announces a decree of amnesty of the most ample character, and without
any exceptions, thus enabling the actual insurgents to participate in
the coming presidential election; promises speedily to terminate martial
law in the States lately in rebellion; declares that he will use his
“ample faculties” only in cases of extreme emergency; professes respect
for the “individual guarantees” and the liberty of the press 5 and,
offering toleration to all political opinions, proposes not to be the
chief of a party, but of the nation.
His able state paper has been received with general favor by the press
and by public opinion.
[Inclosure B.—Translation.]
Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada, constitutional President ad interim of the United States of
Mexico.
Fellow-Citizens: The unexpected and
lamentable death of the illustrious President, Benito Juarez, a
calamity which clothes the entire nation in mourning and profound
despondency, has made me the depository of the executive power of
the union for a brief period, in accordance with law. The duties of
my transitory administration are indicated by the declaration which
I made before the permanent deputation of congress, in complete
harmony with my sincerest sentiments and my most intimate
convictions. A profound and inviolable respect for the constitution”
and the exact observance of the laws will be the constant rule of my
conduct, as well to fulfill the solemn obligations I have contracted
as to pursue the only path leading to the welfare and prosperity of
the nation.
I consider it an especial duty to provide for the faithful observance
of the “laws of reform,” which have asserted and perfected our
institutions. Those laws, designed to extirpate the chief defects of
the ancient organization of our society, by opening our doors to a
prosperous future, have proved, in their application and
development, a remedy for the most complicated evils, and a
triumphant entrance into the arena of true civilization. In addition
to the obligation to observe and cause to be observed the laws of
reform, my zeal to prevent their infringement will be increased by
the conviction that they constitute the most solid basis of our
political and social organization. In accordance with the provisions
of our fundamental code for the contingency of the death or
resignation of the President of the republic, I considered it highly
proper that the first of my acts should be to initiate the decree
for a new election, which has to-day been promulgated. In it the
rights of the people will be justly respected, assuring and
protecting without hinderance or restriction of any kind the amplest
freedom of suffrage. All citizens, all parties, will enjoy complete
liberty of action at the polls, and the result should therefore be
recognized as the genuine expression of the popular will.
Imbued with this sentiment, I have judged it my duty to publish this
day a decree of amnesty for political
offenses hitherto committed, without any exception. The principle
efforts of the insurgents having already been suppressed, an amnesty
may be granted without incurring suspicion of contempt for law or
weakness on the part of the authorities. This amnesty responds to
the general anxiety for the pacification of the country, and to the
deeply rooted convictions of all who contemplate the frightful
disasters wrought by anarchy and the ruin which is the consequence
of civil war. At the outset of a new electoral contest an amnesty is
the only means to prevent any from being deprived of the right to
vote, or of the suffrages given in their favor. I have thought that
I could not make a better use of the faculties granted to the
executive, and that if unfortunately any persons should still choose
to afflict their country with the plague of war, and thus render
necessary a new exertion of force to subdue them, public opinion
will recognize that the executive has been sincerely desirous to
omit no effort to obtain the supreme blessing of peace, and to
afford every guarantee for electoral liberty.
With these important objects is involved a grave question concerning
the States now under martial law. Present circumstances being
favorable in the majority of instances, the executive will
scrupulously endeavor to avoid the continuance of this abnormal
situation, except where compelled by the absolute default of the
constitutional authorities, until newly elected, or where it is
rendered indispensable by the imperious necessity of the
re-establishment of peace.
The executive being invested by the congress of the Union with ample
faculties, they will only be employed in extreme cases, when it may
be necessary to satisfy a pressing necessity. The executive desires,
above all, not to be compelled to use them so as to affect any of
the individual guarantees.
Respect for these guarantees cannot be exaggerated. The highest of
them, the liberty of the press, which protects and guards the rest,
will be held as inviolable by me, as it was, without any exception,
during the long period I served as minister of the illustrious
President whose loss we deplore. If the liberty of the press ought
never to be subjected to any restriction, still less should it be
restricted during an electoral struggle. The best corrective for the
excesses committed by the press is the press itself, the enlightened
and free echo of all opinions and of all parties. In administrative
matters I shall strive to enforce the principles of law and order. I
shall endeavor to make all the reductions which the poverty of the
treasury demands. In appointments to office, I shall seek only
honesty, capacity, and fitness. I shall retain the present employes
who unite these qualities, without cherishing prejudices against any
one, whatever may have been his political antecedents. In the
exercise of supreme power, I will not be the organ of a political
circle, but the representative of the entire nation. I will not be
the chief of a party, but the impartial and dispassionate executor
of the law.
[Page 446]
When the elections shall have taken place, and the representatives of
the nation shall have declared who is the people’s choice, I shall
consider it an honor to deliver to him the government, thus proving
my complete submission to the sovereign will of the country,
surrendering the deposit confided to me by the constitution.
My acts will answer for the sincerity of my sentiments, and I shall
be careful not to make any variation from the principles now stated,
so that, at the end of my short administration, I may merit the
testimony of my fellow-citizens that I have endeavored to do my
duty.
SEBASTIAN LERDO DE TEJADA.
Mexico, July 27,
1872.
