The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-27


., SOME NEW BOOKS
Chronieies OF the BuiIsers.
We have received tho second volume OF
Chronicles ofthe Builders Of the Pacific Common
trealth. by HUBERT HOWE BANCROFT tSan Fran
cisco. The History Company 30 far as this
book is biographical. II Is likely to excite moro
interest among the denizens OF tho Pacific
SLOPE than among the people OF the Atlantic
eeaboard. for. with the exception OF Judge
Sawyer. mono Of tho persons whose lives are
recounted at length is well known on this side
OF the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Bancroft. how
ever. has by no means confined himself In this
volume to biographical "reminiscences. six Of
his twonty-six chapters being devoted TO
discussion OF the various forms OF government
which have at various times obtained on the
Pacific coast. including Mexico and Central
America as we'll as tho Territories OF the
United States. Taken to Gether. these chap
ters present concise. lucid view OF the evo-
luton of tho Pacific communities.
In few pages Mr.. Bancroft sums UP the
political history Of Mexico during the last
twenty years. II will DO remembered That
Notwithstanding tho popularity OF Juarez. the
last years OF his life were disturbed by revolu-
tionary movements against his authority. His
reelection to tho Presidency was not indeed.
counter to the Mexican Constitution us It then
existed. but. rs he had already held tho office
fourteen years, his persistency in clinging to
II was thought, unreasonable. and alienatcd
from him an Influential section OF his fellow
countrymen. OF tho revolutionists. Pornrio
Diax was chosen leader but there is little
hat mt
Rocha wcro on tho point OF crushing the re-
bellion when tho death Of Juarcz. in 1872,
brought tho war to an end. What errors in tho
way OF selt-seeking tho latter had committed
were then forgotten. and only the memories
OF his virtues his patriotism. and his valuable
services survived Under provision OF tho
Constitution Juaroz was succeeded by the
Chief Justice OF tho Supreme Court. Sebastian
Lerdo dc Tejada. as President ad interim Of tho
republic. In the ensuing election Lerdo was
chosen Chief Magistrate by considerable ma
jority 1t Is pointed out that the now President
was the brother OF Miguel Lordo. who In 1855
had drawn mp the famous law for tho olsen
dowment OF tho Catholic Church. which then
held In mortmain thres-fourths Of tho landed
property in Mexico. Sebastian Lerdo was. like
his brother. an accomplished jurist and was
popularity credited with much OF tho good
work accomplished under the Juarez Admins
tration. 1t was also n matter for general salts
faction that q civilian should be called
peaceably to fill the executive chair. In flew
OF his previous associations. 1t was not annat-
ural that Lerdo should favor the partisans Of
Juarez and show hostility to those Of Gen.
Daz. Tho latter. however. remained quiet
until. in 1874. Lerdo in his turn. began to take
steps toward q reelection. using his influence
to elevate ndherents OF his to the various State
oficcs The result was general discomfort.
which finally In January 1876. eliminated in
a preconcerted outbreak. The rsvolutonists.
putting forward Portirio Diaz for their chici
accused the Government Of divers violations
of law and particularly Of converting the pop
uar suffrage into al engine for the further
Rnce OF Lerdo's personal ambition. In view
Of the course since pursued by Diaz
himself it is noteworthy that tho principal
demand pressed by his followers at this juno
ture was for an amendment Of the Constitu-
ton prohibiting the election OF the President
and Of State Governors for two consecutive
terms. In the end the revolutionists were
triumphant, and Lerdo. being obliged to seek
safety In flight, embarked for the United States
The executive Office. having become vacant,
was lawfully claimed by Joss Maria Iglesias.
then President OF the Supreme Court. He pro-
ceeded to organize u Government, and had he
appointed a Cabinet of Porfristas. as the
followers Of Diaz were called. he might have
been suffered to retain for time the
office Of Chief Magistrate. But his
assent to q compromise Of this kind came too
late. Diaz had already made arrangements
which could not be set aside. and was unwIll-
ing to leopard. the results achieved by sur
rendering the control OF the situation to
rival who had merely yielded to the force OF
noes. Igieslss and his Ministers
were obliged to follow Lerdo into exile. and
Diaz was recognized as tho provisional head
Of the State Shortly afterward Congress
announced the latter's election to the Presi-
dency by an almost unanimous vote in nearly
two hundred districts Yet notwithstanding
his adoption OF conciliatory policy. the
partisans OF Lerdo maintained an armed
opposition to Diaz In several quarters. incud-
Ing conspfcuously Escobedo. the conQueror
Of Macmillan. in Coahuila: Amador. in
and Alvarez. in the south.
The first was taken prisoner in 1873.
to the city OF Mexico. and released on
parole: Amador was killed: and Alvarez. hav-
Ing been won over. laid down his arms. AS
the Mexican Constitution was now amended
so as to forbid tho reelection OF a President for
the ensuing term. Diaz withdrew to private
life on Dec. l, 1873 and was succeeded by
Manuel Gonzalez. who prevailed on him to ac-
sept a position in the now Cabinet. Dinz ro-
signed this post, however. upon being chosen
Governor Of Oaiaca. In 1883 no married Sem
orita Carmen Kubio. the daughter Of Manuel
Romero Rubio an able jurist and statesman.
who had boon n firm supporter OF President
Lerdu. and had marked out for him line OF
policy which the lntter would have dono we'll
10 follow. In 1884 Diaz again resumed the
place of Chief Magistrate. and. having nro.
cured repeal OF tho constitutional prohibi-
ton 81 consecutive terms. was third time
chosen President in 1888
,y@ -... II.
In tho same chapter there Is n sketch OF tho |
late President Barros Of Guatemala. which. |
without being sympathetic. seems discrimi- |
native and Just. Barrios. We learn. was born |
n 1884 at San Marcos. in tho Dspartm emit OF |
luezalQuenango. He was educated at the |
,ity OF Guatemala for notary public. and re- |
.elvod a com mission authorizing him to dis |
,lroree tho functions Of such an Office. But he |
loes not seom to have acted OH his commits |
4 H., 4. a