Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/25

Rh high political crimes while the man who stole a horse was sent to the scaffold.

Juarez resolved that further bloodshed and persecution should cease, in all cases where he could with propriety exercise leniency, and with that object in view decreed an amnesty early in March, excepting from its benefits only some of the most prominent men of the fallen party. But on the 4th of June a law of outlawry was enacted by congress against the persons and property of certain reactionist leaders, namely, Zuloaga, Marquez, Cobos, Mejía, Juan Vicario, Lindoro Cajiga, and Manuel Lozada, and a reward of $10,000 was offered for the slaying of each of them. The kidnapping and cold-blooded murder of Ocampo caused the greatest excitement in and out of congress. Many conservatives were arrested, and their execution would have followed in retaliation, but for Juarez' opposition to sanguinary measures. It was only by his force of will that a