The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1877-05-24
VOL. vi.
LERDO AND DIAZ-HAYEs AND
TILDEN.

| LEnD nDO AND D1AZ-sHAHkS u Is AND
TILDEN.
The restoration of the government of
Lerdo in Mexico is desirable simply be-
cause it is the only legally constituted
government of the country. Its legit-
imacy is unquestioned and legitimacy
is Of infinite value to peace and order
and perpetuity of wisely conceived
political institutions. No event IN
American history was Of such value to
the United States as the peaceful solu-
tion OF the Tilden- Hayes contest for
the presidency. The forms and facts
of law and OF peace and order were
observed aud Hayes became President.
When we were almost Mexicanized !;
and craftsmanship and patriotism in
terposed and gave us legitimacy in
stead Of ceaselcss revolution. To the
forty millions of to-day and the count
lesl millions of the future it really sig
nifes little what may be the name OF
the President, but it does signify
everything whether he hold office in
accordance with the forms and req1ire-
ments of the law. If he be the lawful
president and wise and honest chief
magistrate, the many reck little whether
his name be Hayes or Tilden and pos
terity will care infinitely less whether
he were called Republican or Democrat.
What the man says and does affect the
living Of today; that lie was the legit-
imately and peacefully chosen Presi-
dent affects pos;erity forever. Ten years
hence 1t will hardly occur to the peo-
pie to inquire what was his appellation
and it will signify absolutely nothing.
Mr.. Hayes is conscious of this fact, and
therefore, while making history, rarely
inquiries whether partisanship approves
or condemns his deeds. But the great
est good fortune that ever befel the
country consists in the fact that Mr.
Hayes became President legally and
without a Mexican struggle for
office. The world thinks the better of
America for its wisdom and conserva-
tism; property has surer value;
peace and order gild the horizon of
the country's future with most brill
liant hues. If we admit the genius and
wisdom and patriotism of Diaz and the
unworthiness of Lerdo, yet Lerdo was
the legally chosen President; his Su-
preme Court was legal, and so with
his Congress created and existing in
conformity with the country's laws,
and L9rdo's was the lawful, constitu-
tional government Of Mexico. Priests
and political adventures, ambitious
Iglesias and Diaz, and patriots here
and there, overthrew Lerdo and he was
exiled. A lawless adventurer of great
ability, but still lawless, having no le-
gal or Legitimate claim to power, has
thrust right and law and Legitimacy, in
the person of Lerdo, from office, and
Diaz, in order to retain his place, like
all usurpers, is generous to the people
and makes the best possible president.
But Diaz at last, however wise and
| Just IN his own conduct and fortunes
and history, ~an>;Hsd o'u tU
Mexico, and the greater his success as
an usurper the greater the inducement
for others like him to revolt, and peace
and order under such a ruler are i'm
possible. Stability is more wanting in
Mexican systems of law and order than
eyen-handed justice. Diaz is the i'm
persouation of lawless instability. Re-
spect for law and conservatism are es-
pecial needs of Mexican populations.
Diaz is the embodiment of lawlessness
AMI force enthroned and triumphant
in spite of the laws and the constitu-
tion. Islesias, the Chief Justice, con-
spired with the conspirators, not that
Diaz might be enthroned, but that he
himself might be president. But he
gave Disz such strength that he made
himself helpless, and Iglesias, like
Lerdo and Mejia and Escobedo, is an
exile. There can be no peace or good
government in Mexico until the people
of that distracted country have ac-
cepted the invaluable lesson taught by
Conkling, Thurman, Gordon and La
mar and by President Hayes. The
law is wiser than the bayonet; wis
dom, than force; Throckmorton and
Hancock than Mills. SO true is this
that the violation of legitimacy pun
ishes fearfully and with absolute Ger
tainty the wrong doers. Peace or re-
pose or industry or prosperity cannot
bless Mexico till the law and the con-
stituhon reassert omnipotence and the
government of Lerdo must be rein
stated.