The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-08-30

Bcnito Juarez cannot Of course be described
as comm Dnwealth builder except in the
scnse that be represented free institutions in
Mexico at n critical ronjuncturn. and took n
conspicuous part in the reast abishment OF the
republic. In his civil post. however. he WAS
unable to give such direct and destructive
blows to the imrerial r;Eime as were inflicted
by Gen. Diaz and Gen. Escobedo. What makes
the career OF Juarez particularly interesting
Is the fact that he was nm Indian without the
slightest intermixture OF European blood,
born in the Willis OF Oainca. and 80 stee ped in
illteracy that at the age OF II he could not
snenk the Spanish language That such a man
should have become not only political revo-
lutionist but re'ormer whose persistent aim
was tie moral and material Improvement OF
his race benrs witness to the native capability
OF the aboriginal intellect.
Juarcz was born in 1906. In the hamlet OF
San Pablo Guelatao. twenty-two miles north.
east OF Onjaca. In the ordinary course OF
events he would never have passed beyond tho
narrow confines Of n PEASANTS sphere. But 1t
happened TINT in his eleventh year he ran
away to escape whipping. and. falling in with
some marketmen. was take by them to Oajaca.
Hero he had The good fortune to enlist the
sympathies OF a rich trader who sent him 10
seminary. He distinguished himself in his
studies and was urged to enter the Church, but
having already imbibed liberal IDEAS he de-
termlned to prepare for the law. On tho nc.
cession OF Vicente Guerrero to the Presidency
JuareZ was made a magistrate although he
had not rs yet com pleted tho required course
at the law institute. 1t was not indeed until
1882 TINT he took the degree OF Bachelor OF
Law. and two years moro elapsed before,
at the age OF q. he was admitted TO
practice as IN advocate. The Conservatives
Mt
der OF Guerrero. the Liberals were every
where objects of suspicion. and Juarez
WAS imprisoned for supposed conspiracy. In
lS42. however, his narty recovered some infu-
once ami he WAS appointed Judge. Two
yours later Gov. Leon made him Secretary OF
STATE. position from which he was shortly
t. ansferrod to that OF Fiscal in the SUPREME
Court OF the republic. On the reGRtabl.h.
ment OF tho Federal system 10 1876. Junrez
was chosen ono OF a triumvIrate OF rulers for
OaJaca. and was soon afterwsrd sent as its
deputy to no Federal Congress. In tho fol-
lowing year he became Governor OF the State
OF Oajaca, and during the i've years OF his ad.
ministration paid of the Sta debt and left a
surplus In the treasury. On the leturn OF
Santa Anna to power In 1853. Juarez was ar.
rested at Ella. hurried away to Vera Cruz, and
after being subjected to cruel treatment In
dungeons. WAS exied to Havana. Thence he
proc"s1ed 10 Nsw Orleans. where he lived for
some time in poverty. supported BY small 70.
mittnnces from his wife and friends. His en-.
forced sojourn In the United States he turned
to account by studying laws and institutions
which were afterward applied for tho benent
OF Mexico. They who saw Juarez at this ma.
riod. described him as a perfect type of the
pure Zapotec. although he was some what be-.
lew medium height and had a skin of an nm
usually dark copper color. His hands and feet
were small; his head was not round nor very
large; bis hair WAS straight. COARSE aud black;
bis forehssd high and prominent; his eyes
were oblonR. black, and full OF IRE: he had a
straight. though not finely chiseled nose, and
We may add that his face was always clean
shaven. While not q handsome man. his
features had an attractive stamp OF discreet
gentleness. which large scar bv no means
impaired. over all his countenancs was
sp cad an expression Of thoughtfulness and
refinement.
After two years Of exile In New Orleans.
Juarez received news Of the deposition of
Santa Anna, whereupon he joined Alvarez
st Acapulco and was presently appointed Min.
lister OF Justice In ecclesiastical Affairs, The
aSst severe blow TO ecclesiastical and military