Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-08-08
THE LATE PRESIDENT JUAREZ,
OF MEXICO.


wings of light and shadow since the
writer of these lines first saw Benito
Juarez. 1t was in the sanctum of the
PicaYune, where he had courteously
called on one of the editors to borrow
some of the Mexican exchanges.
Juarez was then an exile in this city,
and made his living by manufacturing
cigars. General Montenegro, his COM
panion in misfortune, occupied at that
time with Juarez a miserably furnished
room in an obscure off street from the
main thoroughfare, somewhere near the
levee, in the house of an Italian, who
was one Of the admirers Of the land of
God and Liberty"
Before obtaining occupation as to-
bacconist, Juarez, without being ac-
.uuainted with the English language,
was in such destitution that he was com
PEELED to make his living by fishing on
Lake Ponchartrain. His friend, Gen.
Montenegro, repaired quite early every
morning to the French Market and sold
the fish that his friend caught during
the previous night,
In this manner they made their living
for several months. MN
On one occasion it was observed in
the Picayune office that when the Mexi-
can exchanges were returned by Juarez,
they were minus the margin. Upon in
ouiry of one of his friends, it was ascer-
tanned that Juarez was in the habit of
cutting that part of the paper to make a
cigarette for his own use, he being an
inveterate smoker, such was his pow
erty.
A sketch of the life of this prominent
Mexican statesman, whose death has re-
Gently been announced, may not be un-
interesting to our readers. eh&E tA
( Benito Juarez was born in 0axaca in
1907. He was purely of aboriginal stock,
his parents belonging to the Zapotecos
tribe.
Protected and educated from his youth
by the Artegs family, he graduated with
distinction and became lawyer OF dis
'tinction in 1880. tkhDg y
In 1888 he was elected a member of
the State Legislature. He subsequently
became Secretary of the Supreme Court,
was elected member of Congress, and
also served as Governor of 0axaca, his
native State, .gs -.
In 1853 he was bauished by President
Santa Anna, and resided nearly two
years in New Orleans. He atterward
Joined the party of Don Juan Alvarez,
the great warrior of Southern Mexico,
against the Tiger of the Manga de
CIavo," as Santa Anna was called; and
when Alvarez became President in 1856,
he served under him as Minister Of
Justice.
In 1857 he was appointed Minister of
State and Foreign Relations by Presi-
dent Commonfort. When the latter was
driven from power in January, 1858,
Juarez was recognized as the successor
of Commonfort by the Liberals, but was
opposed by the clerical party in civil
war. General Zuloaga first, and after
ward General Miramon opposed him.
After Commonfort's fight from Mexi,
co. Juarez endeayored to stay the march
of revolution but at last he had 70 leave
the capital Having reached Guadala-
lar, in the State of Jalisco, ne made his
way to Acapulco, on the Pacific, and
thence to Panama. From Aspinwall he
came to this city in May, 1888, accom-
panied by Melcher 0campo, his seeFe-
tary of State, Guilermo Prieto Post
master General under Commonfort and
other friends.
From this city he went to Vera Cruz,
where he remained until the Sd OF Jann..
airy, 1861, when he left for the city OF
Mexico, the liberating army having
taken possession of that capital on the
25th of December, 1861.
In 1861 Juarez was elected President
by the Congress which assembled in thS
city of Mexico. He decreed the disso-
luton of religious orders, the seculariza-
ton of church property, and the sus-
pension for two years OF payment to
creditors TO the Republic -
II is believed that these DEGREES gave
rise to the difficulties with England.
France and Spain, and the armed inter
vention for the enforcement OF their re-
spective claims.
After the withdrawal Of the English
and Spanish forces,-the French Rrmy re-
mained in Mexico in order TO overthrow
the Republic and establish an empire.
Having gained several victories, the
French took the city Of Mexico in June,
1868, and Macmillan of Austria as
sumed the imperial power under protee-
ton Of Napoleon III. HatlC
The sad fate Of the enlightened and
generous Prince who was inundated on
the "Cerro de las Campsnas," is still
too vivid in the minds Of our readers for
us TO refer at length to the downfall Of
the Empire. 1t will suffice 70 say that
when Frances eanse seemed most des-
perate the attitude of the United States