The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-09-28

Mexico and the Presidential Contest.
Our news from Mexico indicates consider
able excitement over the coming Presidential
election. As yet there is no one pledged to
the field as candidate in opposition to Benito
Juarez. There is, however, some indication
that Porfirio Diaz may enter the lists. con-
siderable party at the Mexican capital are
DESTROYS of pushing him forward as their leader.
Still, there are some very strong reasons why
General Diaz prefers, for the present, 10 re-
main in the background. A fellow townsman
of the President, he is indebted to Juarez for
education, military advancement and all his
honors. His esteem for the man to whom he
owes 80 much is very great, and it is, therefore,
not improbable that Diaz may firmly refuse the
nomination. There are, however, weightier
reasons than these for his refusal, and these
exist partly in the army. Diaz could not con-
and these do not number ten thousand men.
The armies of Regules, Corona and Escobedo
will all voc for Juarez, while the States gene
rally will support the latter. The capital OF
the country may have hundred rumors with
reference to the Presidential contest, but it will
be found that the populous districts far re-
moved from the city of Mexico will give an
almost unanimous vote for tho present incum-
bent of The executive chair. All the Northern
States are in favor Of Juarez, while in the South
the vote between him and Diaz would scarcely
be divided.
Thara ia "a I'D &Oua NJ 0onri1so ~ IN
late action Of the Mexican government towards
those who have heretofore been under the
liberal ban for aiding The empire. The act of
cOniiscation, which made such clean sweep OF
the properly Of the Mexican imperialisss, has
been revoked, and the property will, with rare
except ons, be restored. This is o very wise
measure; for this was the only source from
which the Mexican government had any fear
of strongly organized revolutionary move
ment By restoring the vast esta .es to their
former owners o formidable element has been
qui ted and bound 10 the interests of peace
and order.
The government now proposes to give the
clergy the vote and make them eligible to the
office of representative to Congress. This
movement is of doubtful value at this time for
the great liberal leader. Mexico, profoundly
stirred to civil hatreds by the exhaustive wars
she has waged against the clergy, feels little
disposed to grant them any rights while the
spirit OF revenge is at such red heat. The
measure, conciliatory and just, is good one
but it Is premature. 1t will, however, give
Juarez the support Of the conservative
and wealthy element Of the country;
but it may lose him much of the aid
which he otherwise might have counted
upon in the liberal party. Another
good measure which it is proposed to adopt
is the closer assimilation of the Mexican con-
stitution to our own. It is hoped thereby to
give better system of checks AMI balan noes to
the different branches Of the government
There is much work before the Mexican
statesmen. They have before them many
problems which demand prompt and mastery
settlement Among these the first is the finan-
cial question. With a country unsurpassed in
the ability to restore her credit to sound
basis, the only trouble relative to that matter
Is how to exist until the machinery can be
Tepalreu anu BOZ III uOuOus Abcu must De
settled the question of feudalism, which has
marked hold in every Mexican Stats, The
great haciendas, often occupying from twenty
to thirty thousand square miles, must be cut
down. Land must be moro equally divided.
Taxation OF real estate will do this Hereto
fore the great estates have never been taxed.
Another and all important thing for Mexico, II
she would live as Q separate nationality, is TO
strike out the word "to-morrow" from her
dictionary. The clergy have almost ruined
Spanish America, but "to-morrow" weighs
upon tho land with still heavier curse. We
watch Mexico with intense interest, for she has
at length finished her religious wars II now
remains to be seen how wisely she will make
use Of her victory. Her Presidential election
is the frst step to glorious future, providing
II be well taken. Fortunately, there is chance
that there will be no candidate In the field
against Juarez. Should Diax determine TO let
his name be used, 1t might result in an exciting
election. but still his defeat would be almost
certain. Juarez holds one great advantage
he is an Indian, and much beloved by his race,
which comprises seven-eighths OF the popula-