The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-02-16
LERDO DE TEJADA.
A Talk with One OF the Many Mexican
Presidents.
IN. Y. Tribune.I

IN. Y. Tribune.l
President Lerdo de Tejada, OF Mexico,
who arrived In this city on Saturday
night by the Pacific mail steamship
Colon, Is at the Windsor Hotel, with
Gen. Escobedo and two other mem bers
OF his cabinet. He occupies hand
some set OF rooms, and last evening
seemed to be holding reception, II one
might judge from the number OF dark
hued, Spanish looking gentlemen stand
ing around the door. A Tribune re-
porter sent In his card, and was imme-
iiately shown into one OF the parlors.
In few moments the door opened and
President Lerdo, with an attendant,
entered. He stepped quickly forward
and greeted the reporter very eourte-
ously, at the same time motioning him
to seat. President Lerdo is man OF
small stature, and with rather slight
figure. His resemblance to ex-Goy.
Tilden is most remarkable In
almost every particular, except the
slight popularity In the eyes. he wears
no beard, his face Is round, his complex
ion light, and his grayish hair ID care
fully brushed over his head. His eyes,
which were dark and bright, and his
exceedingly small and finely shaped
feet, were the only Spanish character
istics to be NOTICED. He WAS plainly
dressed In black. His manners were
very courteous and suave, and his voice
very pleasant and gentle. During the
conversation he shrugged his shoulders
and gesticulated with his hands In tho
vIvacious style OF his race. He rolled
and smoked cigarette, and laughed as
IL he enjoyed himself whenever tho re-
porter put q question which he did not
intend to answer. The conversation
was carried on by the aid OF an inter-
prefer. The ex-President speaks no
English and little French, and he said
that he should prefer to have the SER
vice OF an interpreter. Some little reti-
cence was shown in regard to answers
to certain questions. He seemed to pre-
fer that his replies should be somewhat
general.
When inquiry was made concerning
the City of Mexico the 25th OF Novem-
Der, In company with Gen. Escobede,
Don Romero Rubio, and Don Juan Jose
Baz, officers OF my cabinet, with con-
siderable force OF soldiers. We crossed
the States Of Mexico, Michoacan, and
Guerrero, to Acapulco, the troops &C.
oompanying us to Moreliia only.
From that point the escort was small.
We did not travel incognito at all, nor
did we have any difficulty. We were
everywhere well treated, those who sur
rounded me being always loyal. There
were only the Inconvenience Of travel.
The triumph OF revolutionists at Puebla
had made 1t necessary to leave the CAPT.
tai, In order to continue the defense OF
constitutional order In other parts of
me country. However, circumstances
were such as to render embarkation at |
Acapulco necessary. At that place, |
therefore, went on board the regular !
steamer for Panama, accompanied by |
my three cabinet officers. We were |
only a day on the Isthmus, and at |
took the steamer Colon, on |
February Q, for New York. The voyage |
itself was very pleasant
In regard to his loss OF power the ex-
President remarked: 81 attribute the |
success Of the rebels to d. |
vision among the defenders of the con-
stitutional government on account of |
the position assumed by the President |
Of the Supreme Court, Mr.. Iglesias, in
acting as Vice President Of the Repub-
lie. The position thus assumed by Mr..
Iglesias produced lack of concerted
action on the part OF the defenders Of
order. This lack Of con-
BERT was detrimental to the legal adj
and moreover 1t did not
TURNER Inc dlIlS Oh CnG vice 1TcSlQenG.
Mr.. Iglesias had declared, you know,
hat the declarations made by Congress
the effect OF the last elec-
ion were illegal and should not be re-
;pected by the people, although he had
that he had no right to
make his declaration against Congress,
md had done so only as a private indi-
7idual."
When asked about the present condi-
ion OF affairs In Mexico, the ex-Presi-
aent said somewhat generally that the
Mexicans were in q state OF great I'M
certainty, but he had no doubt that
inally q constitutional government
would be restored. This will be
brought about" he continued, ''by the
weight Of the influence of the thinking
non, who are all in favor Of constitu-
;ional order" The ex-President laughed
md shrugged his shoulders when
question was put about his future move
nents. II have not decided" he said.
They will depend entirely upon future
,vents." -.