The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-03

Mr.. York succeeding IN enIisting the inter
est and zeal OF the great house Of Hargous IL
Co.. English and American bankers, In this
enterprise n grant In very liberal terms was
, obtained from the government OF Mexico for
the right Of way through the most Southern
) Of the Mexican States for n canal or ralroad
OF both from the shore Of the Caribbean Sea
to the Pacific Ocean .-ao.-* s.z.za--
The great demand In all such projects be-
Ing to secure bay or roadstead on either
side the River Coatzacoalcos was selected as
an eastern terminus of the proposed route
following this river rs far as 1t was havi-
gable. the route proceeded by the shortest
line to another river which communicated
with the Pacific.
Competent engineers reported that such o.
route could be made practicable at far less
cost than either the Panama or Nicaragua
routes; that the river Coatzacoalcos, with ade-
quate dredging at ts mouth. could be rem
dered navigable for ships for over hundred
miles, that the country through which the
route ran was far healthier, more productive
and inhabited by a better race, and In many
respects preferable to the more southern
routes.
Hargous u Co. embarked earnestly and
ardently and with large expenditures In for
warding this enterprise. They enlisted the
zeal and capital Of several Of our most prom-
nent and able citizens In It's behalf. These be-
came 30 enthused that Tehuantepec furore
possessed our whole population. This route
would bring the Pacific and travel several
| hundred miles nearer to our port and would
regain the valuable trade which New York
had snatched from us.
| There would too, through this city, be an
/ immense saving in the distance In the eastern
and western shores OF the travel and trans
portation to and from our Pacific possessions.
Hence the fiery zeal with which many of our
citizens championed this scheme. company
was organized with large capital to carry
| out the plan. There were large subscriptions
| OF stock obtained In this city. Public meet
| ings were held to stimulate and arouse the
people.
Among others who embarked In the enter
prise was that great lawyer, matchless ora
tor and interchangeable investigator and stu
dent, j. 2. Benjamin. The accumuatlons Of
his large and lucrative practice were conf
IDENTIFY ventured in this project. And his pub
lie addresses and pamphlets were wonder
fully able, elaborate and effective In exciting
and Keeping up the public interest In the
scheme a corps Of experienced engineers
and labor parties, and several large ships,
We're dispatched to the COatzacoalcos. Favor
able reports were made and the enterprise
had assumed most promising character,
when 1t was suddenly interrupted by one of
those periodical revolutions In Mexico, which
resulted in the election OF the government
which had made the grant.
At the head Of the new government was
native of the State, through which the Te-
huantepeo route had been surveyed. This
was Bento Juarez, O native Of Mexico, who
by force of character, great ability and
strong liberal republican ideas, had managed
to secure the confidence Of all classes of the
people, ard to overawe the perpetually rest
less and revolutionary chieftains
Juarez had spent the exile into which he
had been driven by the preceding rulers OF
Mexico In this city.
An old friend and confrere, who kept c-
gar store, afforded him comfortable quarters
and generous hospitality. He devoted his
time chiefly to study and the reading of news
papers. His manners were reserved, his ac-
quaintances few, and his intercourse with our
people limited. Among his acquaintance,
however, he enjoyed the society and friend
ship of gentleman who was worthy OF the
esteem and confidence reposed In him by all |
who were brought into close intercourse with
him. This was Emile La Sere, one OF the
nOblest representatives OF the highest traits OF |
the Creole character. This gentleman, now
veteran OF seyenty-six has for many years
lived In the retirement of his devoted sisters
delightful seaside residence at the Bay of ST.
Louis, and although greatly enfeebed by ILL
health and old age retains not little of that
old fire which once marked his character and
conduct as a political chieftain, vigorous
champion OF any cause In which he might be
engaged, and one of the truest of friends and
most faithful of Democrats. La Sere then
had the management Of the Courier, the
Democratic organ OF the State, and to his edi-
torlal Office his friend. Benito JuareZ was
wont to resort daily to read the newspapers
and chat with his old friend Emile They
were thus drawn close together by mutual
temperaments and Ideas. They
were of like physical mental and moral or
ganization Below the medium size, or agile,
active and why figures. Of dark complexion,
pltIGlHS bihCh Eyes, tHu vi quiet, frank ana
open manners.
When by O. turn of the wheel OF fortune
uareZ succeeded to the executive chair. the
friends Of the Tehuantepec Company found 1t
necessary to obtain a renewal or ratification
Of their grant from the new government, with
great sagacity La Lere was selected as their
and agent.
On his arrival at the City of Mexico he was
greeted with the warnest regard and hospi-
Lality by his old friend Benito Serious OBJ
5tacles, however. had to be overcome before
he succeeded In reconcilng the concession he
had been sent to obtain with Juarez's political
relations and Involvement
But, 70 Ia Sere, throughout his active ca
reer. obstacles were onIY stimulants Of hiS ir- i