Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-29
The Rival Presidents of exico-Mf-
ramon and Juarez.
Of the New Orleans Plcayune.

| correspondence OF the New orleans Pcay une.
MNATITLAN Feb. II, 1859.
Recent events have transpired in Mexico,
which induce the belief that the secret SER
vice fund of the United States was employed
to effect the overthrow of ZULoAGA, and the
establishment of a liberal government under
Robes. 1t is impossible to make Intelligent
Mexicans believe otherwise. and the partizans
| of Miramon are not slow to stimulate the
credulity of those who hear and repeat it.
1t such was the project of the American
Cabinet, 1T failed in one particular at least;
and the question arises, will not the Admin
! istration of MiramOn. embttcred by the i'm
preston of this unwarranted interference of
orr Government, still further complcate our
affairs with Mexico?
| For MiramOn's character. l confess that
have an unspeakable admiration. He is ac-
| kHowledged on all hands to be the finest SOL
der in the Mexican army, and his brilliant
overthrow of Vidaurri stamps him as "a man
of excellent military genius. Mexico has
never yet been ruled by civilian, and what
| ever may be said of MiramOn's youth and
aristocratic tendencies, he has the strong un-
bending will and the pluck. both in ii moral
aud physical sense, to maintain the dignity
of his position. If Vera Cruz falls beneath
the blows of this young soldier of the
Church" OaXaca cannot resist the cOntagion
of her weak example. Then the blood will
flow, and the long pent-np vengeance of the
Infatuated priesthood will be wreaked upon
an unoifending people. The eXpatriated in
habitants of Tehauntepec will be restored to
their homes-not for peace, but for ''war to
the knife" with those who drove them into
exile. Juchitan will be RACED TO the ground,
and a price will be put upon the head of ev-
cry man, woman and child among the tribe
of Juchit cos. Such condition of things is
inevitable if MiramOn succeeds before Vera
l.
The most important American interests are
now at stake on the Isthmus; aud it is the
duty of our Government. instead of uselessly
mixing itself up in the internal aud internal
broIls OF Mexico, TO send a vessel of war
at once to this place. lest there should be any
interruption to the present peaceful and we'll
regulated state of things.
1t is one thing to admire the general char
acter of a hero, but it is quite another to be-
come the indOrser of his unrelenting policy:
and lest you should infer from what | have
written that am LOST in my admiration for
Miramon, let me tell you vino JaureZ is.
Within sight of the Vigia of Chivela, but
about four leagues to the westward, is a de-
preston in the dividing ridge between the
two oceans Through this mountain dcfile is
a narrow and tortuOus road which leads you
along the base of the conical peak of Cute
vixia, TO the Pass OF Guichilona. Here, in "a
deep ravine, overgrown with rejucos and
parasites and cacti, are the ruins OF adobe |
house. In this house So years ago, Benito |
Juarcz was born. His father. who was la |
pOieco Indian. owned some cattle. and he |
earned "a frugal subsistence from the sale OF |
the skins of the sheep that browZed upon the |
scrnb oaks on the barren hillsides of the pass. |
The occupation of young Juarez was the care |
of these fOcks, and it is here we find the be- |
ginning of those circumstances which led to |
+. 4 u.
come off at Chhuitan, a small village about /
three leagues distaut and day after day in
advance of the festival the mule train was |
thronged with people from all parts of the |
Isthmus, vending their way to dispose OF their |
wares or aid in doing honor to the patron /
saint of Chihuitan. Benito JuareZ who was
then IL years old, had never seen a fair.
There was something in this gay throng which
which captivated him, and he determined to
abandon his charge and go. That night the
boy passed in the midst of the vendors and
buyers at Chihuitan, wondering why the
world was so rich. and he so poor. When the
morning came and the feast ended, he
was afraid aud ashamed 10 return; and while
discussing in his own mind the probable con-
sequences of his desertion of the flock, he
was accosted by the owner of mule train,
from Oaxaca, with an offer of employment.
In doubt what to do, he was pressed into an
acceptance. and turned his back forever upon
1t was not long before he found service as
a moro in the family of wealthy Spaniard,
by whom he was taught 10 read and write.
Step by step he advanced in learning and in
the affections of his employer. The rest is
known to US all. He graduated with high
donors mt the College of OaXaca and rose
rapidly TO the summit OF the legal profession
in Southern Mexico. This brief history of
The early days of the President Of the Liberal
party was told me by AN old Mexican, and l
nave yet 10 meet the person who can contra
iict il.
The statcsmanlike ability and the integrity
# purpose of JuareZ is admitted by every
,ody: but, unfortunately for his ambition. he
: "A graduate from the walks of civil life. and
hese. we know. do not lead to the Prcsiden-
ial chair Of the Republic. Ii is even doubt
ul, if Juarez were a soldier instead Of schol- |
IT rs he is, whether he could succeed. In the
'verihrow of the dynasty OF the Montezu-
nas il was decreed that no descendant of the
ncient kings Of Anahuac should ever ap-
roach the ruins of the throne. The Indian
ace never can furnish another ruler for Mex
co. The line OF demarcation drawn at
he time OF the conquest, and there is no con-
ingency at this day TO bitter that stern de-
rec. Strange as il may appear to US, cou-
ideriug that four-hfths OF the population Of
lcxicu is pure Indian, there is a. much re-
ugnance 10 an Indian Chief Magistrate as
here would be- TO one in the United States.
20 much Tor Mexican politics.