Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/653

Rh vent, nevertheless, especially among the friends of persecuted liberals like Degollado, Ocampo, Juarez, and Arista, the latter foremost in feeling the wrath of the new potentate. Juarez had acquired no small fame as model governor of Oajaca.

For a long time, however, the people at large were quieted by hopes of the coming reconstruction for which the dictator had been summoned, and by many undeniably good reforms introduced, although some of them proved in time to be mere showy enactments, or disguises for iniquitous schemes, as I have shown. The reorganization of the army, the restoration of fortresses, the introduction of superior armament and methods, had all their commendable features; and the army served also to increase security and order by checking brigandage, which of late years infested the roads in every direction. Education was fostered, if not among the masses, at least in higher circles; and if the clergy were courted with intolerant decrees against protestant agents and bibles, and even against publications in general, it was sought to purify the observance of feast-days; and a pleasing, although perhaps injudicious, concession was made to instruction and to the people by readmitting the Jesuits. But the most enduring benefit conferred by Santa Anna was the creation of the fomento ministry, which gave the greatest impulse so far to internal improvements, in opening roads and bridges, constructing telegraphs, taking steps for building railways and public works, in fostering agriculture and mining,