New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-13

The President of Mexico IS quite well known in this
country. For many years past General Porfrio Diaz
has been the foremost citizen OF Mexico His popu-
larity at home and the fame he enjoys abroad have
made his familiar in the United States as tho
Regeneration e. Regenerador') OF country which by its
wonderful natural Is entitled to high place
among the family OF nations.
Any acquainted with the condition OF Mexico
fifteen years ago and with the present state Of affairs
cannot but acknowledge the great progress achieved by
Mexico during the intervening years and give credit TO
President Diaz, above all Others for the establish.
ment and maintenance Of that peace and order which
has enabled The country to reach its present state Of
prosperity General Diaz is regarded by his country
men as the best President that Mexico has had.
When. In 1887, he assumed the Government for the
first time, the country bankrupt; mining md az
rculture almost paralyzed. revolutions and dis
orders ieopeizing the lives and property OF peace
full citizens. Of frequent occurrence; in word.
all was chaos and confusion lie started by apply
ing energetic remedies to all these evils furnishing
the promoters of revolutions wherever they appeared
and in few years succeeded In completely crushing
the lawlcss spirit in Mexco Once this accomplished he
turned his attention the economical and commercial
interests OF his country
The career OF President Diaz is remarkable. AT
the age of eighteen, after securing a school
education he began the study Of law but when almost
ready to be admitted to the bar, enlisted in the Ma
onal Guard of Oaxaca, and went TO the front to OPP
pose the tyranncal government OF the Dictator Santa
Anna. From the beginning his military record was
spotless. To this he added series OF very lucky and
Successful victories against the enemies of the liberty
and integrity CT his country. During the war with
France which led to the browning Of Macmillan OF
Austria as Emperor of Mexico. he distinguished HIM
self and became OF the leading generals Of the Re
publican army and the most respected by the soldiers
OF Napoleon III.
When the Republic was restored he retired TO
private life in his country residence Of La Noria
near the city of Oaxaca refusing all the honors which
the Government of Juarez was anxious to confer upon
him. Nevertheless, during his retirement his name
was twice brought before the Mexican people as
Presidential candidate, but defeated both times by
Juarez and by Lerdo de Teiada. In 1877 the people,
who lonced to reward the man who had done more
than anybody else 10 crush the empire OF Maximian
elected General DIaz President by big majority but
after some Juggling Of votes lie was deprived OF the
trust conferred on him Big the people and Lerdo de
Tejaaa was declared reelected by the partisan Mexican
Congress then assembled This led to popular revo-
luton, which, proving successful, placed General
Diaz In the Presidential chair. Up to that time he
WAS known as successful soldier Nobody dreamed
that he should develop into statesman Of the modern
type Such proved to be the case. The energy and
executive ability which he displayed during his first
Presidential term reflect much credit upon him ms
statesman and patriot.
In loco Hc Nuicn W PHN"oO hic W ei'o Wy W
his successor, General Manuel Gonzales He did not
remain a private citizen very long, year after he
left the Presidency his native state Of Oaxaca unanl
mous,y elected him Governor, which Office he held
until called again by the people to serve second
Presidential term. from "a to 49, The Constitution
OF Mexico prohibited the immediate reelection to the
Presidency but the Mexican Cong-ess in 1857, think
inc the continuance Of President Daz in power almost
a necessity repealed that clause, and permitted him
to hold second consecutive term. This action Of the
Mexican Congress met with the full approval Of the