National Republican., 1883-03-26
THE GREAT MEXICAN.
Change in the Programme for His Entertain
ment in Washington.
4 Brief Outline OF His Career MS Soldier
and statesman.

Gen. Porfrio Diaz, ex-president of Mexico,
md probably its next president, will arrive
in this city this morning. The preparations
made for the entertainment of the distin-
guished citizen and soldier by the President
and other members Of the government have
been disarranged by the sudden death of the
postmaster general. The state dinner which
was to have been given by the President in
his honor on Tuesday evening, and the recep-
tion by Secretary and Mrs. Frelinghuysen on
Wednesday evening, will not take place. In
all other respects however, the programme
as originally announced will be carried out.
Gen. Diaz was born In the state of
Oaxaca in 1884. His family is of aristocratic
lineage entitled 20 the prefix don or donna,
and is lineally descended from the old hero
and historian, the celebrated Bernal Diaz.
Don Porfirio studied law, but in 1855 enlisted
in the national guard when Alvarez and
Comonfort rebelled against Santa Annals tyr
amy. During the war of reform Diaz exhib-
tied the military genius that has made him
famous andfattained the rank of brigadier
general. He was one of the most persistent
foes Of the French invasion whose army
landed at Vera Cruz in 1862. He fought
them steadily up to Puebla, the third or
fourth city in size in Mexico, where Gen.
Zaragozo commanded On the fifteenth
of May, 1862, the French general
assaulted the city in force. The
Moxicans again and again hurled back
the assaulting columns, and finally drove the
French back to their camp completely whip
ped. Among n host of heroes that day Diaz
was pre-ominent. Puebla could not be saved,
but Diaz, after Zaragozo's death, rallied and re-
organized his army, and fought the invaders
at every step. Juarez made him commander
of the army of the east, with which he cap
turcd the large and important city OF Oaxaca
from the French Barzlino shortly after this
a1N aOh
flag of truce, and sent him to the city of Mex
leo. Here the leaders of the native imperial
lists Mirumon, Vidauni, Marquee and others
urged Maximllian to shoot him as being the
most dangerous foo to tho empire of any man
in southern Mexico Maximillian refused
and endeavored to gain Diaz over to his side, but
failed. Managing TO escape, he took refuge in
the mountains of Oaxaca rallied the warlike
people of that state and commenced the most
brilliant period of his career. In 1866 he had
driven the enemy into the City of Puebla and
lay siege to it. Marquee, who had escaped
from Queretaro, advanced to Its relief with
5000 disciplined men. Sending Col. Jesus
Lelanne with small force to hold Marquee
in check, Diaz furiously assaulted Puebla
and carried it by storm. Lelanne, of course,
was defeated, but he had delayed Marquee for
several hours, and Diaz thereby saved the ma
tion. Reorganizing his force in Puebla, Diaz
marched out to meet Marquee, and completely
leon, Diaz marched on to the City of Mexico
at once and besieged it, Meantime, Escobedo
having captured Maximillian and his armyat
Queretaro, Gen. Corona with 5000 men,
was sent to Diaz's aid, and the city capitulated
July IS, 1876, Marquee having fled Diaz
through the prejudices of Juarez, was forced
into private life after the war. He was nomi-
mated for the presidency against Juares, and
defeated Believing that he was counted out,
he inaugurated revolution against Juarez.
His armies in the south, however, were de-
feated and disasters in the north compelled
him to lay down his arms. He was again de-
feated for the presidency in 1871 by Juarez,
who died in July, 1872, and Don Sebastian
Lerdo de Tejada, one of the most brilliant
scholars and statesmen that tho Spanish race
has produced In America, succeeded him.
Lerdo however, mistook the spirit of the age
and Diaz in 1876 organized q revolution
against him, and finally at the great battle of
Texcoac defeated him. Diaz became presi-
dent proved himself u good statesman, and
initiated the railway movement. He is rec
ognized everywhere as a worthy successor of
the great Juarez, and is hailed as the third
founder Of the republic.
President Diaz is accompanied by Sonora
Diaz Senior and Sonora Rubeo, Senorita Ro-
nero, DR.. and Sonora Liceogo, Don Andros
Quit, Don Chonsal, General Juan Frisbee,
General Canedo, Minister and Mrs. Foster.
The party, with the exception of Minister
and Mrs. Foster, will occupy the suite of
apartments on the second floor of the Reverdy
johnson mansion annex to the Arlington.
The rooms are furnished in red shades.