The New York herald., 1872-07-25
O B 1T u a r Y.
BcnitO JuareZ.

Special advices addressed to the HERALD by
Telegram from Matamoros and Monterey Mexico,
last night, announce the death by apOpexy OF
BenitO Juarez, President OF Mexico. In connection
with this very important news we publish the fol-
lowing biographical sketch of the deceased states
man and republican ruler
In the northeastern portion OF this State is
mountain defle through which runs narrow and
tortuous road, winding around the base of one OF
the conical peaks OF the great Cordieras. Within
the passor Oaxaca, at no great distance from the
Indian village of Ixtlan, in deep ravne over
grown with velucos and parasites and cacti
are the ruins Of an adobe house. In that house
in the year 1900, was born peasant
child destined to great and checkered fortunes
His father OF that Zapoteco race whose former
grandeur is still attested by the ruins OF those
funeral palaces in which the remains OF Its ancient
soverelgns lie entOmbed, was the owner OF q few
half wild cattle who found scanty pasture along
the hillsdes OF the pass; and he earned q pre-
carious living chiefly by the sale Of hides At
the age of twelve, the boy, then herng his fathers
cattle, came upon the turning point of his future
life: He was tempted to go to the city Of Oaxaca,
and went.
Soon after his arrival there he found, In the
person of a worthy merchant OF the city, OF
moderate means, named Saanueva, patron and
afriend. Senor Saanueva appears to have detected,
even at that tender age the latent capabilities OF
the adventurous boy. AZ all events he adopted
him, brought him up with his own children and
gave him the best education the city afforded.
He graduated with high honors at the college OF
OaXaca, speedily commenced practice at law with
success and rose, step by step, to distinction in his
native State.
MS APPOINTMENT TO STATE OFFICES.
AS early as 1880, when but twenty-one years OF
age, he was elected member of the Institute of Arts
and Sciences OF the State.
and two years afterwards was elected member OF
the State Legislature In 1884 he was admitted as
Superior Board OF Health OF the State. The same
year he became professor In the Institute of OAK
aca, being appointed to I'LL the chair of Canonical
Law. Within the next ten years his promotion was
still more rapid. He became, successfully, Secre-
tary Of the Supreme Tribunal OF Justice, Substi.
tute Judge OF the same Tribunal, "Civil Judge Of
the First Instance" in the city OF Oaxaca, Fiscal
Judge a second time member OF the Legislature,
bunal of Justice OF that department.
ENGAGES IN NATIONAL AFFAIRS.
In 1s46 when Juarez was thirtyseven years OF age,
commenced his connection with national affairs,
he being elected in that year member OF Congress.
The same year he was appointed acting President
Oaxaca, and the year following permanent Presi
dent Of the same Court. In 1s47, at the age Of
thirty-eight, he was elected Governor Of the
oilce he filled until 1882 ne evlnced
great administrative talent, insttuting TN
portant improvements in his native State, causing
schools to be established In every village opening
new roads and encouraging manufactures and the
development Of the mines, OF which many, rich In
promise, TO be found throughout that State. In
1852 he filled the chair OF civil Law In the Institute
Of Oaxaca, and was afterwards appointed perma
nent President OF the same institution.
ExILED.
From this time forth commenced the struggles of
Juarez to establish constitutional liberty IN his
country and dark just then were the prospects, be-
fore him. centralized and irresponsible govern.
ment sustained 5by the Church and the army held
sway Santa Anna was dictator. Ihe hrst effort
of Juarez brought him under suspicion. He was
exiled, resided for time In New Orleans, and did
not return to his country till Alvarez and Comon-
fort raised the standard OF constitutional govern
ment.
ISSUES THE "JUAREZ LAw.n
In 1855. he was again elected Governor or HIS
native State; and In October OF that year. santa
Anna Icing ovcrthrown and Alvarez chosen Ppesi
dent dd tntertnn JuareZ, entered his Cabinet rs
Secretary OF State, for the Departments o
Justice, Ecclesiastical Afraivs aud Public nstruc
tion During his secretaryshp was issued tae cele
bratcd law, sometimes called "Thc Juare2
Law" aboisning military and ecclesiastic., 2,
y,er0s and other privileges so as to establish io
the FIRST time In Mexico equality OF citizens bcaor'
the law. In December, 1884, being again elected
| Governor OF Oaxaca he resigned his seGretaryshp
! ana the year following was seconI time electe'
| to the National Congress- there participating In tn
framing ana adoption Of the constitution OF 1857.
! ELECTED VICE PRF,IDENT.
In the first election under thi5 constitution jas
reZ the candidate for President OF the progrc,
| sive party; but, unfortunately Tor the countr'
, Comonl0rt succeeded. JualeZ however was
November Of that. gear, elected President OF VI