These discourses as well as those delivered at the close of the late
session on the 29th ultimo, transmitted with my dispatch No. 97, should
receive your perusal, as, while they announce no new points of policy,
they throw some light upon the present situation.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.
[From the Diario Oficial, city of
Mexico, April 1,
1868.—Translation.]
Opening of the sessions..
To-day has taken place the installation of congress, to commence its
labors in the second period of sessions.
The President of the republic pronounced the following discourse:
Citizen Deputies: Very just is the precept
of the constitution by which the second period of the sessions of
congress, which commences to day, is destined in preference to the
examination and the voting of the fiscal estimates.
It belongs to the executive to form them and to propose them, on
account of the greater knowledge it should have of the facts and the
data which it has with reference to the necessities of the
administration; but it belongs to the people, by means of their
representatives, to examine them and to approve them.
It is in the essence of the interests and of the most inalienable
rights of the people to determine what they shall contribute, and
how it shall be invested in the public expenses.
War has prevented this being done before, as for long periods it
impeded the meeting of congress, and when this has taken place the
disorganized state of society has not permitted the regular
collection of the revenue, nor the expenses to be systematized.
Since the promulgation of the constitution this is the first time
that congress is proceeding to exercise one of its most important
perogatives.
In the preceding period of sessions, however, a provisional estimate
was voted upon the project presented by the government, which
hastened to give its opinion in order that the decree might be
issued. The labors of the committee of congress with reference to
the project of the definitive estimates presented by the government
are also well advanced. It is satisfactory to the government to have
been able to show, in affairs pertaining to the public finances, its
zeal in the compliance with its duties.
In the nine months that have passed since it returned to this city,
the payments have been made with exactitude in all the branches of
the administration, attending at the same time, so far as possible,
to the payment of the public debt.
We have commenced in this manner to enjoy the benefits produced by
peace.
Let us trust that, uniting our efforts, we shall succeed in
maintaining it. It depends upon the union of the Mexicans who with
good will desire the good of the country.
Be pleased to receive, citizen deputies, my felicitations upon seeing
you again assembled to discharge your august functions.
[Page 445]
The president of congress, Mr. Juan C. Doria, said:
Congress opens to-day the second period of its ordinary sessions,
which in preference is to be occupied with the important affairs of
the fiscal estimates.
To that it will dedicate all of its attention, from the intimate
conviction which it has that the proper adjustment of the public
finances is indispensable for the success of the public
administration.
The congress of 1867 congratulates itself that it has fallen to it to
be the first to give compliance to one of the precepts of the
fundamental code, and by this sole act it can be seen that in the
republic, after the war which it has had to sustain against its
invaders, the constitutional order has been re-established without
controversy or opposition whatever.
The provisional estimate being already voted, congress will not delay
in directing its labors to the discussion of the permanent estimate
for the expenditures of the federation. It will treat this affair
with all the calmness and circumspection which its gravity requires;
and its decisions, if not as perfect as, may be desired, will not
have been dictated by any other motive than a sincere desire for the
well being and the prosperity of the country.
It has been very satisfactory to congress to see that,
notwithstanding the increased expenses that the government has had
to meet in the discharge of a great part of the army, the employes
in all branches of the administration have been paid with
regularity, and at the same time some sums have been dedicated to
the payment of the national debt; and this is so much the more
satisfactory to congress, as for this it has not been necessary to
celebrate contracts ruinous for the interests of the republic.
The greatest good that a people can enjoy is peace; and the first and
the principal obligation of those who govern is to consolidate it,
guaranteeing the institutions, and, above all, respecting individual
rights.
Congress well knows that the government is animated by the best ideas
in this regard, that it will make whatever efforts may be necessary
that the public order and peace shall not be disturbed, and that it
will take care that the constitution shall be faithfully and
strictly observed.
The government, on its part, can rest assured of the efficacious
co-operation of the representatives of the people.
