ing to Amozoc, and marching on toward Zacapoaxtla, whose inhabitants and those of two neighboring towns rebelled, on the pretext that the ley Juarez deprived the clergy of their rights. General Güitian had been sent there to quell the rebellion, but in combination with the parish priest, and seconded by Colonel Olloqui, he revolted. Bishop Labastida advised them all to make their peace with the government,[1] which advice they did not heed. The first forces sent against them were under General La Llave, Colonel Ortega, and Lieutenant-colonel Calderon; they also mutinied and joined the others, after which Colonel Osollo took command of the infantry and entered Teziutlan, while the cavalry under Güitian overran the plains of Apam.[2]
The two hostile elements — clergy and army — were at work striving to avenge their supposed grievances. Priests took part in seditious plots, the pulpit being freely used to mislead the sincerely religious, specially the women, with the false assertion that the government was assailing religion. Hence the uprising on behalf of religion and fueros, intended to restore the so-called conservative party with its privileges and abuses.[3] The military resented the insults heaped on them in the last war by the liberal leaders, specially Vidaurri, and manifested a disposition to defend themselves by revolution, which was unjustifiable as
- ↑ The clerical press, such as La Sociedad, El Universal, and La Cruz, continued, however, vilifying the supporters of the existing order of things. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 489-9; La Cruz, ii. 208-13, 235, no. 8, suppl. 25.
- ↑ Other revolts of the long series soon followed. In Oajaca three priests and a Spaniard instigated an uprising, to demand the restoration of the fueros, and called to the government J. M. García, who accepted the position; much fighting and bloodshed resulted from it. Revolutionary movements followed in Zacatecas, Querétaro, and Jalisco. Uraga proclaimed in the sierra the bases orgánicas, but met with no response. A brigade was sent after him, and the rebels submitted. A movement in Oajaca against Gov. Juarez was promptly put down. In Puebla there was much excitement. Col Miramon's defection gave a great impulse to the reaction. Comonfort, still having faith in the army, despatched against the insurgents General Severo del Castillo, who had never committed a defection, and had just pledged his word of fealty tɔ the government. But he proved faithless. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii 489-90.
- ↑ Highwaymen labelled their hats with the word 'religion.'
