New-York tribune., 1872-11-08
LIFE AND CHARACTER or DON SEBASTIAN LERD'
DE TIJADA.

LIFE AND CHARACTER or DON SEBASTIAN LERDo
DE TEJADA.
At time when Mexico seems almost ex-
hausted long series of internal dissensions some
reason TO hope revival furnished in the events
which have led. the going telegram announces TO
the election as President of Don Sebastian Lerdo de
Tejada The President was born In Jalapo, in the
Crng tho asth - Apri tsa "d 4" th"'
town his sudles began. From there he passed to the
Seminary Of Pueba where he concluded the Of
Latin, Philosophy, and Theology. From Puebia
he came to the City of Mexico to study iuris-
prudence in the College Of san Yldefonso, where he
received his title OF Advocate in 1851. lnsthe fol-
lowing year he named Rector Of this establish
ment and took charge Of 1t the 18th of june when
was only 27 years Of age On the reform OF the Admin
straon OF Justice in consequence Of the law of Juarez
which extingushed the special tribunals, Don Seoas-
tlan Ierdo de Teiada named magistrate OF the
Supreme Court of Justice and occupied that post from
December 1855, until the st OF June. 1851 when the
President Of the Republic Don Ygnaco COmonfort named
him Minister OF Foreign Relations. in virtue OF which
Office he was the chief Of the Cabinet He retired from
this Office On the 18th Of September Of the year.
and his example was followed by all the Ministry.
In 1851 the Constitution Of the Republic, which had
been 80 strongly contested by the reacOnary party,
went into operation. President Comoniort evidently be-
Heved that the country not ripe for such republ-
can form Of government he IN favor OF tempouzng
frequently expressed TO his ministers his opinion that
IL was ble TO govern with the Constitution Mr..
Ledo de Tceda cOmprehended that this opinion cher
shed by the President and stimulated by the reaction
airy party. would lead TO lamenable results therefore
he retired from the Cabinet His fears were realized
when ComOniort secretly fomented the pionunclmenio
Of Zuoaga Tacubaya in December OF the same year.
The object OF Comonfort TO free himself from the
trammels OF the Constitution, and TO form
a personal party TO assist him In marching
in middle course, avoiding what he deemed
exaggerations OF the Liberals on the ono hand
and, on the other, the fanaticsm and reactionary
ideas Of tho Conservatives. But DOblado aud Parrod,
Governors OF the important States Of GuanIuato
fused to SUPP bis movements their example was fol-
lowed By others aud the pronuncamento Of Tacubaya
remained without other adhorents. When Zuloaga
noticed the failure OF Com0ufOrt % draw followers he
also abandoned him aud modified his evolutionary pro-
granme in full accord with the Conservatives Comon-
fort thus found himself ia most difficult position, and
resolved to consult the whom he considered most
able TO guide him OF IT, calling, among Others upon
Don Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada who WAS the first to
advise him his steps, 10 reeabiish the legal
order OF things confessng frankly the error he had
mitted President Comonfort hestated and lost time.
when at last he followed the advice It was too late his
opponents had gained strength aud he was yauquished
by the military and Conservative party and Obliged TO
leave the country.
When the reactlonsts found themselves triumphant
they organized their Government and elected GEN. Don
Felix Zuloaga President in consideration Of his having
proclaimed the plan Of Tacubaya Don Sebastian Lerdo
dc had retired from the political and conn
ned to govern previously the College Of San Ndeionso
in the capital exercising at the time his profession
OF advocate In December. 1858, Gen. Don Miguel
Echeagaray proclaimed AyOtla, political plan. with
the object Of remOvngt Zuloaga from the Presidency
This was seconded the 2d OF that month by the
in the capital and Gen. Don Manuel Robles Pezuea,
taking the lead conyoked a committee whose first step
WAS to Issue on the 1s Of January bases for the pro
yisonal administration. On the Sd 1t gave decree
naming Gen. Don Miguel Miramon Provisional Presi-
dent OF the Republic. Don Sebastian Lerdo de Tejada
was one Of the persons named TO form that committee
Int half an hour after he received the nomination he
sent his REFUSAL thus Drawing the unpleasant
ouences which might ensue In that revolutionary time.
When the constitutional regimen was regstablished
senor Ierd0 de Toada elected deputy ~ the Gen
eral Congress which began ITS sttings the 9h OF May
1901 and terminated on the 25th OF September 1862
During this period he three times President OF the
Chamber and the 2st OF june 1851, he refused the
post Of Chief OF the Cabinet which offered him by
President JuareZ In september OF that year. and while
he was President Congress- 81 members OF that body
being dissatisfied with the election OF the President OF
the Republic ohose for their candidate Gen. Don Jesus
Gonzalez ortega desired JuareE who had obtained
the majority OF yotes, TO withdraw from the poet Fifty