The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-15
The Illness and Death OF
BenitO JuareZ.
THE PATRIOTS LAST MOMENTS.
Solemn Scenes ia the Cham
Der Of Death.
SenOf LerdO de Tejada Assumes Executive
Power in the Presence Of the Dead.
II III f OBS EQUIEs.

II HI f OBJ = r UIES.
Grand Civil and Military Oortege and Elo-
quent Funeral 0rations.
PRESENTATION OF THE PRESIDENT PRO TEN.
MEXICO, August 1, 1872.
The President Of the Republic, Benito Juarez, as
you were duly notified, died at half past eleven
O'Clock, on the night Of the 18th OF July, after
brief illness, from nervous affection Of the heart.
Although for some days somewhat indispOsed, he
occupied himself, as usual, with his duties at the
palace up to the day Of the 17th when, feeling more
unwel' than usual, he confined himself to his ROOM
but not to his bed On the morning Of that day the
editor of the Dfdrto Otlctal, as his daily
tom, while reading the most notable occurrences
from his periodical, remarked that the President
arose suddenly from his chair, and, putting his
hand to his head, walked rapidly across the room
several times as II in sudden and great pain. Sus-
pending his reading, he inquired IL he was suffer
Ing ~ am well, !" he replied; ''yOu can continue"
few moments later, however, he again arose.
and, begging the editor to desist from his reading,
resumed his rapid walking up and down the apart
ment, ordering at the same time his coffee to be
brought, which he drank very quietly. These, how
ever, were supposed to be the first moments of his
serious and fatal illness. He spoke little of his
sunerings to those OF his more intimate friends
admitted to his room during the day, but talked
with much zest upon both the political and social
topics Of the day with which he was most occupied.
In the afternoon with his family, he took his GUS
tomary ride on the PaseO, giving cheerful greet
ing to the numerous friends he there encoun-
tered; and later, far from considering his
indisp0siton q serious one, when his family
babe him good night for visit to
the theatre, they left him good humoredly
chatting with his friends. At little past ten
O'Clock he retired, but could not sleep, and spent
the night in great deal Of suffering, but not allow
ing the family to be disturbed. On the morning of
the 18th he arose as usual, expressing annoyance
1t not being able to attend to his duties In the pal
ace, and to the anxious inquiries Of his family and
friends he simply replied that he was feeling tired
with not being able to rest well He spent the day
between sitting and lying but suffering at times ex-
IRENE pain. In the afternoon he conversed freely
with one Of his Cabinet Ministers and General Ala.
torre upon political and social TOPICS but from time
to time would complain Of oppression about the
heart and shortness of breath.
BEGINNING OF THE END.
About seven O'Clock in the evening his son-in.
law, Mr.. Santacia, communicated to him the in
formation received by telegram from Vera Cruz,
announcing that the American steamer had post.
poned her sailing for one day and would not leave
until the 10th. ~ am very glad" was the Presi
sident's reply, "as she can now carry the news of
the ,retaking Of Monterey" From this time he
commenced sinking very rapidly, and it became
evident to all that his life was almost spent; but
even In these last moments, passed alternately be.
tween extreme pain and Inconsistencies, we have
illustrated the untiring zeal and unconquerable
energy of the man.
ArOusing from state Of syncope, he recognized
at his side Sehor Mejia, his Minister Of War, and
said, "How do your Have you received any tele-
graphic news ~
"No," replied his sorrowing and anxious Minis
ter; nothing new. How are you feeling
"Better thank you" was the reply; 'there may
be something Of Importance; return at once to your
Ofice.n
At ten O'Clock his life seemed so near its close
that his Cabinet Ministers were summoned, some
Of whom had not even been made aware OF his in
disposition, and arrived only to witness with con.
sternation his moments Of dissolution.
PEACEFUL DEATH.
A little before his death all suffering seemed to
tranquil and apparently unconscious Of his fast
approaching end. Laying himself down once
more, he rested his head upon his hand and drew
his last expiring breath as peacefully as If falling
to sleep. without struggle or motion.
INSTALLING LERDo DE TEJEDA.
Sehor Sebastian LerdO de Tejada, President Of
the Supreme Court Of Justice, was at once notified,
and Immediately repaired to the Palace, where, at
an early hour on the morning of the 10th, in the
solemn presence OF the dead President, his Cabinet
Ministers, his physicians and notaries, the cere-
mony of introducing to the Executive chair the
Chief Justice, in conformity to the federal const-
tuition, was enacted; first, by the certificate of the
physicians, testified to by the n0taries, as to the
natural death of the President, and, second, by the
administration Of the oath of Office to Senior Lerdo,
all of which was performed in legal form, in CON-
pliance with the provisions Of article OF the law
of the Goth of February, 1886.
THE CHAMBER OF DEATH.
The body Of President Juarez, embalmed and
richly attired in black, was laid in state in the
Grande Salon de ambassadors OF the palace, the
same sala which, less than two years since,
witnessed 30 different scene in the banquet given
to our distinguished statesman, Hon. w. II.
Seward, by the officers Of the government, pre-.
sided over by the President OF the Republic. The
walls were entirely covered with heavy black CLOTH
and the large paintings Of the former Presidents
and ilustrious men, among them our own beloved
washington, looked down upon the mournfui
scene through heavy folds Of Grape; the same sable
decorations draped the multitude OF chandeliers
and pedestals ornamenting the immense saloon,
near the head Of which was placed the richly
draped catafalco OH which rested all that re-
NAMED Of the late President of the Republic.
THE FUNERAL DAY.
Thousands OF people were in continual attend
ance, all eager to view once more the features OF
the great chief and patriot until the day Of the 23d
when the solemnities of the interment In the "Pan
teon of San Fernandez were enacted. The process
sion was long and exceedingly impressive one,
and, together with the multitude Of people brought
together by the sad event from all the surrounding
country, formed sucn concourse Of people as the
capital has hardly ever before witnessed. The