The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-12-18
Reconstruction In Mcxico-Prcsidien
Lerdo do Tejada's Fine Opening.

Lerdo dc Tejada's Fine Opening.
The LIST day Of December, according to q
HERALD correspondent there located, was
great day for the city Of Mexico. 1t was the
day OF the formal Inauguration Of President
Lerdo de Tejada-a day Of general rejoicings
and congratulations and of great expectations
among the Mexican people. Even the brave
old revolutionary General, Porfrio Diaz,
having given in his adhesion to the new ex-
ecutive head Of the nation, was present in the
capital making complimentary speeches with
the rest Of them. But still, with his submission
to the new order Of things the old recon-
structed rebel stands upon his dignity. Before
the supreme will Of the people he lays down
his arms; he thinks President Lerdo sufi-
GENTLY intelligent for his high position that
he (the Presidency should not and is not able
to PREJUDICE the people for what may occur,
basely named Crimes" are very good things
as warnings to those in authority, looking to
the future.
1t thus appears that the old revolutonist
lays down his arms with proviso; but, as he
is said to be looking after the Vice Presidency
which lies in the appointment to be made Of
Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court, it may
be assumed that General Diaz will remain
loyal and peaceable unless this Office is given
to somebody else Meantime President Lerdo
begins his regular administration under the
best advantages and the finest prospects. He
has no revolutionary chiefs in the field against
him, he has been unanimously elected, he is
cleaning the high roads Of the robbers which
infest them, he is restoring law and order and
industry and public confidence. And by the
vote of Congress he has been invested with
the power to represent the nation in grant
ing concessions and making contracts
for the construction of railroads with
foreign or domestic companies or capital
lists. Could better proof be given than this
of the perfect confidence in which President
Lerdo is held by the Mexican Congress? They
give him absolute power over this important
subject of railroads, and he may enter into
contracts for roads here, there and everywhere
in the exercise Of his unlimited discretion.
We have no doubt that it is because the
Mexican Congress is convinced that railroads
are destined to pacify and regenerate Mexico,
and because President Lerdo has recommended
a liberal railway policy, that he has been given
this unlimited authority over the subject.
We may expect, therefore, soon to hear Of the
completion Of the line now in progress from
the city Of Mexico to the Pacific, which will
give continuous railway from Vera Cruz to
the Pacific. Next we may anticipate q con-
tract for road from the capital northward to
the Rio Grande, to connect with road they
are constructing between Denver, in Colorado,
and the Mexican frontier; and the Californi-
ans are also pushing for line on their side
which will connect San Francisco with the
Halls Of the Montezumas, and they, too, are
hopeful of satisfactory arrangements with the
President Of Mexico. Give our
people these roads, give them to the people Of
Mexico, and both peoples will be satisfied
that their interests lie in the reciprocities of
trade and the mutual support of each other as
sister Republics and not in the policy of
annexation, which we have carried quite far
enough for our own internal harmony and
safety.