Ellsworth American., 1867-06-14
President Juarez.

Mr.. White. the messenger sent to Mex
leo by Mr.. Campbell. to intercede fur the
life of Mayimillian, has returned from his
visit. According to his description, Presi-
dent Juarcz is a slow -motioncd, stout,
heavy built man, about fifty years Of age !;
full-blooded Indian, with short, straight,
black hair, dark eyes, clean shaven,
broad and coarsefeatured face, express
I've of much determination and general in
tell;gcnce. AMI large and well set head.
He dresses with taste and neatness has Il
good address. and an easy carraige of per-
son, and Ills uttcrance Is slow, but marked
with much decision.
markable one. Descended from poor pa
rents. ZapotccO Indians, who lived in the
State OF Oaxaca, he, at the age Of twelve.
left his fathers house and entered the SER
vice of wealthy family in the capital of
the State. His patron was SO much pleas
ed with the ability and energy of the youns
Indian that he sent him first to college
and then to the national Institute, IN
which. at the age of twenty five, he was
chosen professor of canonical law. A lib-
eral in politics, he was elected by his fel-
low citizens to the State Legislature, to
Judicial offices, TO Congress, and at the age
of thirty eight. to the gubernatorial chair
Of the State of OaXaca. In this office he
manifested his liberal ideas by establish
ing schools in every village, opening new
roads. and encouraging mining and manu-
facturcs. His ability won for him ma
ti0nal reputation, go that while serving u
second term as governor. he was appointed
Secretary of State for the dcpartne Of
Justice and public instruction.. In 1857
he was the candidate of the liberals for
President, but was defeated by Comfort.
He was, however, elected chief justice.
thus becoming. by virtue of the office,
Vice president. aud when Comfort. after
the failure of his coup d'etat by which he
sought to become the dictator, fled the
country, Juarez became President Of Mcx-
leo.
His presidential acts were in favor of
liberal ideas and constitutional reform.
One Of them, the famous Laws of Re
form by which religious liberty 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 i:S
sale directed, cOnventual establishments
suppressed excited the wrath of the
Roinish church. and so for three years
Juarez, supported by the poor hut deter
mined liberals. struggled against ccclesi-
astical wealth and n powerful army. He
conquered at last. and in 1861 was re-
elected President by an overwhelming
majority.
Defeated at home, the church turned its
attention TO Europe. and induced Louis
Napoleon to aid them. In the autumn OF
SCI Ge,. Forey and the French entered
the country to make Mexico a French col
ony with an Austrian archdukc for its en-
peror. The sequel is known. After six
years Of fighting the French retire and
Maximilan is now surrounded by the for
ces Of Juarez.
Anxiety is felt as to how tho conqucror
will behave in the honr'ofi ifinal victory
He is said to be Il humane man. and his
former victories have not been sullicd by
those acts of cruelty towards the conquer
d which have so generally followed Mex
acan victories. Our government, prompt,
ed by the request of the Austrian govern
mcnt. sent messenger to Juarrz interccd-
ing for the life If MaSimilian. He hrs re-
turned with sealed dispatches to minister
G mpbrll the contents OF which have not
yet been made public. 1t is 10 be hoped
that one who has shown himself so able in
council and war. will rise above popular
passion. and Justify to the civilized world
by his clemeney. his iiturss To be the con
stitutonal President Of Mexico.