The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-08-01
Renito Juarez.

oeu1CO JuaIeZ.
In the years 1882, '68, .'64, and 1856.
there lived in this city. on St. Anne Street,
between Daudhine and Bourbon, a middle.
aged, quiet dark cCmplexioned, gentleman.
ly parsonage who, either by himself or as
soeiates, cond ducted a small mandatory of
cigarrertos. A very small, select coterie
of friends knew the history of this iRdivid-
ual and cultivated his society. His life W as
that Of a student, q close and silent observ-
er OF msn and events, an his habits were
those Of great simplicity ard reserve. He
was a careful reader of the newspapers.
and, to crafty his curiosity, a frequent Wis
itor at the editorial sanctum of the old
Courier, on Charires and Customhou
Streets, when Il was conducted by that am.
liable. intelligent and energetic citizen, EN-
lie LnSere-whom we are happy to meet
frequently on our streets, In well preserved
vigor and good spirits. There was a cor.
dial intimacy subsisting between Mr.. La
Sere and his visitor, and In their conversa-
tions they always employed the familiar
appellations Of Emile" and "Benito."
Mr.. LaSere's friend Benito Is the same
gentleman whom recent and indeed pre-
vious events have assigned the principal part
in the interesting drama now being enact.
ed in Mexico Con Benito Juarez, Presi
dent Of the Republic of Mexico, and the
head Of the party aud the people, who
have crushed the scheme Of imperializing
that long deaolaied and unhappy country
At the time of his quiet sojourn 10 ST. Anne
Street. he was an exile and refugee from
his nat We land, having abandoned It TO es-
cape the penalty which the invariable but
delestablo policy of that people never fails
to o'inflict upon the chief of n defeated or
minority party. Attached to the admins.
tration Of Comonf' rt, until the downfall Of
that chief through the intrigues and parti.
san triumphs OF Santa Anna, JuareZ had
followed the example Of many other de
f.ated chiefs, aud found an asylum in this
country. Tire time oi his sojourn was use
fully and industriously employed in the
study Of our Institutions and laws, so that
on his return to Mexico he was we'll rrerar,,
Ell to apply to the administration Of his own
country a mind stored with sound republi
can ideas and much valuable Information.
There is PERHAPS no Mexican Of position
now in that country. who IL better Inform
ed in regard TO our political and juiicial
systems than Juarez. He may not be quail
in resources, and general accomplish ments,
to Almonte--now in Paris-who was also
n long resident Of this cou,itry and served
his time at q mechanical trade in Cincin-
natl, but In the combination OF moral and
intellectual qualities, in tenacity of pur.
pose, honesty and purity of psrsonal chars
aeter and habits. he is unquestionably the
first of the public men In Mexico. Those
who conclude from the fact Of mis- being an
Indian OF pure blood that he must necessa.
rily posse's the craft, cruelty, vindictive
| ness and savagery which are generally at
tribulsd TO the aboriginal race, will. we
think. on a clearer view Of his life and
| character, fud nothing therein to justify
| their, opinion, Indeed, the history Of Mex.
leo does not support this idea Of the abo-
| riginal character. The best, the most hon.
| orable, honest and patriotic Of the chiefs
who have figured in the long train OF
bloody revolutions in that country. have
! sprung from the aboriginal stock, ami from
Cortez down to Miramon and Marquee, the
principal actors in the tragic scenes which
have disgraeed the country, have been Of
those who boasted Of their Castilian blood.
Juarez is the only pure civilian who
has ever been able TO maintain himself
in pow in Mexico during a revolution
He is lawyer by profession, was els-
waited to the Chief Justie~ship, and by
The death Of the President succeeded
under the Constitution. of Mexico, to
that position shortly before the begin
ming Of the French intervention. Al
the expiration OF his ter,u as President he
beld over, and was elected by popular vote
Through all the trying scenes and sad re
! verses Of the Liberal cause in Mexico, ht
has remained true, faithful. patient and
hopeful. never despairipg Of his cause, and
encuuntering all the hardships and perili
Of an exile from his family, and from tn,
farof scenes OF his native sunny home ir
] the extreme southern State Of Oaxaca. A,
q civilian. he has managed to secure O mod
crate degree Of harmony among the turbu
| lent chiefs Of the Liberal army, and to dis
arm the jealousy and fierce rivalry which
seom to be chronic among them towards
4 each other. ....-....r... -...... .....t
i e Benito Juarez's resembles, In its leading
incidents, that Of our own President IL,
was born on the Isthmus Of Tehauntepec
OF Indian parents, aud managed, wher
quite boy 10 get some menial employ
msnt in q store in the cIIy of Oaxaca.
Here no learned to cad, and manifestipg
great srdor Tor learning, his liberal and ss
Racious employer, . wealthy merchant o
Oaxaca, sent him to college. where he de
voted himself with such assiduity and am
biuon that he soon became the first schola
In the colleges and gradsated with the high
est bonors. Returning to Oaxaca, he mar
ried the daughter OF his employer, and re
moving to the city OF Mexico. commences
the practice Of law, and soon secured /
large snd lucrative business After som
4 years OF great professional success, he final
Iy attained the highest judicial position II
the country before he had reached middl
age. His Afler career In public lie. int
which he was drawn by events and not b.
hisF own viii and ambition, 10 slrsad
known 10 our readers a.-a
Juarez 10 Q small man. with al the phys
fcai oharaotsristics Of the aborigines G
mid, gentisusniy and kindly manners, 90