The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-10-26
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
m Saturday Morning, Otober 26, 1867

POR1IAND

ts The President of Mexies. .-
The election in Mexico has resulted as the
best friends Of that country have hoped, in
the choice OF Juarez for president. There is
much that Is encouraging In this result il
has been doubtful question whether the
Mexicans were possessed OF sufficient intclli-
gence and virtue to successfully maintain
republican institutions. Burdened as they
are with jealonsies OF race and oppressed by
religious superstitions, they have seemed to
many observers to be still In the condition OF
children. still unable to choose wisely for
themselves and lit only for subjects OF abso
iute rulers From time to time we have re-
eeiyed mtimations that We were doing inius-
tice TO the Mexican character, and it has been
standing wonder that nation which eou,a
produce diplpmatist like Romero sbould
rank 50 low In the scale of civilization as the
Mexicans have been represented. The tact,
wisdom and fidelity OF the Mexican minister
at Washington, exhibited under the most try
ing circumstances, have merited and received
the highest adm miratiop. The patri-
otic determination OF Juarez has been
recognized with equal plaudits. Dur
ing six years he has never lost heart or
hope, but has persisted in his infexible pur-
pose to maintain the government of the peo-
pie, and 1t must be confessed that In turn he
has been supported by his people with the
most undaunted courage and the purest de, O.
lxr .a1 40 A
the war was over the people would still recog-
nize their delverer, and sustain him In the
work OF civil reform as they had sustained
him In the war for freedom and national in
dependence. That doubt is now resolved.
The vote In the college of electors was unani-
nous.
President Juarez Il described as stout,
heavily built man, about fifty years of age;
full-blooded Indian, with short, straight, black
hair, dark eyes, clean-shayen, broad ard
coarse-featared face, expressive OF much de-
termination and general intelligence, and
large, well set head. He dresses with taste
and neatness; has good address and an
easy carriage OF person. and his utterance is
slow, but marked with much decision. His
career has been very remarkable. Descended
from poor parents, Zapoteco Indians, who
lived In the State of Oaxaca, at ths age Of
twelve he left his fathers house and entered
the service of wealthy family In the capital
Of the State. His patron was so much
pleased with the ability and energy of the
young Indian that he sent him first to college
and then to the National Institute, In which
at the age Of twenty he was chosen pro-
sessor Of canonical law. A Liberal in poll
tics, he was elected by his fellow citizens to
the State Legislature, to judicial offices, to
Congress, and at the age OF thlrty-eight, to
the gubernatOrial chair OF the State of OAK
aca. In this Office he manifested his liberal
ideas by establishing schools in every village,
opening new roads and encouraging mining
and manufactures. His ability won tor him
a national reputation, so that while serving a
a second term as governor, he was appointed
Secretary Of State for the department OF jus
tice and public instruction.
In 1857 Juarez was a candidate for the pres
idency but was defeated by Commonfort. He
was however elected Chief Justice, and when
Commonfort after the failure of the coup
detdt by which he sought to become dictator,
fed the country, Juarez by virtue Of his office
became President. By the Mexican eonstitu-
tion the Chief Justice succeeds ta@the Presi-
DENTAL office when vacancy occurs. AS
President, Juarez entered upon course of re-
form which win now undoubtedly be resum-
ed. Under his administration religious liber-
ty was secured, the state and church divorced
and made independent of each other, civil
marriage legalized, the real estate of the
Church declared national property and Its sale
directed, eonventual establishments suppress
ed For three years JuaIez, supported by the
poor but determined Liberals, struggled
against the wealth and military strength of
the powerful ecclesiastical organization which
had SO long ruled the destinies of Mexico.-
He conquered at last, and In 1891 was re-
elected President by an Overwhelming major
ity. Defeated at home. the Church tmned
its attention to Europe. and induced Louis
Napoleon 10 aid them. Ia the autumn oi
1851 Gen. Forey and the French entered the
country to make Mexico French colony with
an Austrian archduke for its emperor. The
sequel Is known. 8, a.af I.iFte si .ae =
Such Is the man whose unanimous re-elec-
tion offers the best possible guar anty for the
prosperity Of the Mexican republic. The long
struggle against foreign oppression is over
The domestic enemies who invited foreign in
reference have found that interference una
vailing. After ten years Of civil strife 1t Is too
soon to expect a complete re-establishment OF
order, but the work OF reform begins where it
left Off By reseuing from the clutches Of the
harpy.church the wealth of the nation, by So
curing religious liberty. and establishing
schools, the Mexican Liberals are laying the
foundations OF a genuine and enduring gov
ernment of the people.