Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/375

Rh the requirements of the 127th article of that fundamental law being fulfilled.

The proposed reforms were good in themselves, but the manner suggested to effect them met with public disfavor. They were not urgent, and might be introduced without infringing the supreme law of the land. The idea of allowing ecclesiastics the power to interfere in elections was distasteful to the more advanced liberals. In fact, the whole proposition produced such a bad effect that Juarez found it expedient to make explanations; but his words failed to allay the popular discontent, which was exhibited in the protests of political clubs, ayuntamientos, and other corporations, every such act increasing the general disquietude. Distinguished members of the liberal party recommended a complete abstention from voting on that part of the electoral decree comprising the proposed amendments.

These differences led to the organization of a compact party calling itself constitucionalista, and favoring the election of Porfirio Diaz to the presidency: