St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-07-17
PRESIDENT DIAZ.
An audience With tho Chief Magistrate
of the Mexican Republic.


An audience With the Chief Magistrate
of the Mexican Republic.
The National Palace occupies the
entire eastern boundary of the plaza.
1t is low, white-walled building and
is over two thousand eight hundred feet
long. 1t has been for many years tho
official residence of the various En-
perors and Presidents of Mexico, and is
now inhabited by General Diaz and
those associated with him in the gov
ernment of the republic. The palace
is open to visitors, but is closely
guarded by sentries and is the head
quarters OF several infantry companies.
The outer walls of the. building are
sadly soiled and are plastered with vari-
Gus notices and show bills. The audi
ence chamber of the President Is long
narrow room, hung with heavy dra-
peries and containing a set OF rather
Raudy furniture. Diaz is now enjoying
his second torn as Chief Magistrate.
In 1873 he had the same office, and
during my residence that year in the
city [ became somewhat acquainted
with the man who bad done and is still
doing so much for his country. In per-
sonal appearance he is dark and hand
some. Rather below the average height.
he is thick set and soldierly, and speaks
rapidly. My first interview was by
special appointment. In company
with Senor $, a son-in-law OF the
dead President. Senior Jaurez, the
Lincoln of Mexico, was taken
through an ante-chamber one
afternoon, and from there led to the
State chamber. In a few moments
Diaz appeared and formal introduce
ton took place. Seating himself, the
President invited me to occupy sofa
placed at right angles to the chair he
used and Immediately began q CONVEX
sation that lasted nearly half an hour.
The nature of the business need not be
mentioned here, but it was of such a
tenor a. to call forth some words from
Diaz which showed his good will for
America and the Americans. The pres
ent relations between the two republics.
he thought, were such as to insure
great benefits to each country. He
looks for still grester friendship be-
tween the two people in the future
than there even is at present Mexico,
he said, is but just waking up to real
| ization that it is country of great
natural wealth. Rapid development
is taking place now, and we are fast
adding to our national income. do
| not think we shall ever again see q
revolution. As our railroads are built
the republic will be more closely
united OF course we have many an
noyances, but the Administration is
strongly supported"
The Presiden. does not attempt to
speak English, although he understands
that language little. His children.
however, have an American governess.
and his second wife is an accomplished
English scholar. Diaz lives simply and
cares but little for pomp and show. As
passed through the ante-room again
on departing from the palace the
chamber was filled with people who
were allowed. one at time, to enter
the presence of their rulers They are
not received in the large hall. however.
but are shown to a smaller room, which
| the President uses As an official office.
The courtyard of the palace is formed
by the four yards of the building. Into
it the majority of the many rooms
open. and it is at all times filled with
soldiers. citizens and officials. In one
section of the building is the meteoro-
logical observatory aud National Mu-
scum Near by is beautiful botan.
ical garden containing rare plants and
trees. In the museum is the famous
sacrificial stone of the Aztecs. 1t
is covered with figures carved in
bas-relief and its top is traversed
by Il deep cut, down which, so it is said.
ran the blood of those who had their
hearts torn out by the Aztec priests.
Near the sacrifcial stone is statue of
the great war god of the Aztecs. and
| around it are almost countless objects
of antiquity that have been dug from
the ground upon which the city stands.
In one of the galleries of the museum
are hung the portraits of former Vice
rows of Mexico and an authentic por-
trait of Cortez, with his silken banner.
In another room are other relics Of the
conauerors and silver service that
once belonged to Maximilian. There
are also some fine specimens of the
picture writings of the Aztecs and rare
collections of gods and heroes that
once belonged to the Montezuma.
There is not much order in the mu-
scum, but the objects are full of inter
est to every student of the romantic
past which the country has had. and
teach more in a day than could be
learned by reading a year.-Merico
Cor. San Francisco Chronicle.
I