Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/728

708 sides of the depredations caused by marauding bands, and the impending invasion of Mexican territory by filibustering forces organized in California.

The constituent congress closed its session on the 17th of February, without enacting organic laws for the development of the constitution, and the people for a time feared there might be trouble when they saw day after day pass without the new fundamental law being published. However, as it did not imply restriction upon religious opinions, society placed itself on the side of the government; and thus was the formidable opposition on the ground of religion and fueros disarmed. The reverses suffered by the reaction had proceeded from moral rather than material force; for the people well understood that the plan of Ayutla conveyed positive benefits, equality before the law, and social reform. The partisans of reaction had now nothing to hope for, except from dissensions that might break out in the liberal party at the promulgation of the constitution. The outlook was favorable to future peace and order, and therefore the government felt enabled to carry out the programme outlined by President Comonfort in his last address to the national deputies. He took advantage of this lull to promulgate several important laws, some of which affected the clergy, such as that establishing the registro del estado civil, and that for the establishment and use of cemeteries. These two laws,