Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1872-08-10

constitutional term OF fresluent
Juarez. Gen. Ortega, President Of
the Supreme Court, became the legit-
innate successor, but a change of lead
ers at such q moment, fraught with
danger as it was to the cause,,, was
evaded, though not without unpfeas
ant complications. The whole matter,
however, practically remained in
abeys1ce until the close Of the year,
hJua.h having possession Of the Office
and'the support of patriotic Republi-
cans, and Ortega legal right only.
Finally, in the autumn of 1866, the
United States sent a special mission
to Mexico accredited to the Repub-
lican Government of which Mr.Juarez
is Presidenv' thus recognizing more
formally than before the official posi-
ton of Juarez. Meantime the Impe-
r.allst forces We're gradually driven
in toward Queretaro largely depleted
by the departure Of a portion Of the
French contingent. In December,
1866, Bazane with his forces formally
withdrew and the beginning of the
year 1867 found the Empire of Maxi
milan slowly crumbling to pieces.
On the 18th of May the Liberal forces
entered Queretaro and took prisoners
the Emperor, his staff, and the little
remnant of his army. On the 10th
of July Juarez, Constitutional Presi-
dent of the Republic of Mexico, re-
turned to the ancient capital Of his
country amid tremendous popular
rejoicings, and issued i memorable
and eloquent address On the l4th
Of August OF that year an election
was ordered for the choice of Presi-
dent Of the Republic and Members of
Congress. Portirio Dinz was the can
dlda>e in opposition to Juaroz, but
Judrez Was reelected on the 9th of
October. Congress WAS convened on
/ the Sth of December for the first time
in three Years.
OF the succeeding events, the death
Of MaAiinIljan. he domestic difficulties
ot the Republic and its financial en-
harr.,s%!nc.tS, il is no, now necessary
to speak. But encoura Iel hy tln
moral sympathy OF the Jnitol States
aud by the revival of Internal com
nerce, the country rapidly srecuperat
ed under thr wise admin tratlon of
President ,Iuarez. This prosperity,
however, has rontinnaIlv been inter
rup,ed by revolutions and pronuncia,
mento> Of more or less importance. -
/ The strongest combination formed
against Julrez was in May, 1865
" hen Rivera pronounced in favor OF
leposin, Juarez The revolutionistS
however iritterel away their strength
and under the discreet management
Of Juarez the Government became So
ldihed, and Lerdo de Tejada became
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in
place Of Ortega. This position places
him in the line of succession, and he
is now acting President of the Repub-
lie by virtue Of his office.
In person Juarez was thick-set and
rather inelegant, having a heavy
slouching gait and coarse frame. His
face bespoke his Indian origin-was
dark but with a kindly expression
His mouth was large and somewhat
coarse, tut when he spoke animatedIy
his expression was noble and com
manding. His oratorical pc vers were
considerable, but his chief strength
was i'll his power Of skillful organiza-
tion, his tenacity and frmness of pur-
pose. No man in the modern history
Of Mexico has been so conspicuous a
figure and the death OF no other citi-
zen Of ;hat Republic would be to it
50 severe q bow or command such
world wide attention.