The sun., 1892-01-14
ON THE RFO GRANDE


The 0arsa Movement snA the AdnsnSssrs.
tioa OF Fresidest Diss.
WARRINGTON. Jan. 13-Fiiteen years and
more have passed since Gen. Porfirio Diaz or.
eanizine a small army In his native State OF
Oaxaca. overthrow tho Government OF Presi-
dent Lerdo and seized the reins OF power. Ihe
period since then has been. on the whole. the
most peaceful and osperous that Mexico has
over known. There have been Disturbances OF
various sorts. some being the mere raids OF
fllibusters and outlaws. while others have laid
claim to the dignity OF political revolutions.
One OF the earliest was Escobedo's. while those
OF Casa Cruz. Rodriguez. Hernandez. sando-
val, the leader known as FL Coyote. and others
have followed. But. as his critics might cynt-
cally say. President Dlaz takes more So
we're view OF revolutions as means OF
redress than he did in 1875. and at all events
has cast down tho ladder on which he mount
ed. He has been able to make revolutions
rarer and less promising resort than In former
days. when the lack not only Of wel-organized
and efficient troops. hut OF railroads and tcle-
graphs. rendered the Federal Government an
easier prey to insurrection. Still we may now
have to add another to the list OF attempted
revolutions. for the performances OF Caterino
Cara, at first looked upon rs the mere raids
OF a gang OF border bandits. have acquired
something Of political character.
Gen. Diaz founded his own revolt OF 1876
largely on establishing tho one-term principle
in the Presidency. 1t is true that to him. as
to some Presidents in other countries. this
matter looked quite different afterward when
the prospect Of enjoying second term doomed
up before him. At the start, however. no and
his adherents were so devoted to the principle
OF one term that, having forcibly overthrown
President Lerdo in 1876. they caused an
amendment OF the Constitution to be made
the following year by which President
could not be reelected until q full term
OF the office should have intervened
under some other incumbent. Conse-
quently in 1880 Gonzales was elected. and
Diaz waited patiently until 1884. when he was
again chosen for the constitutional term OF
four years. But then further continuation OF
the Castor and Pollux arrangement, though
quite agreeable to Gonzales. had become dis
tasteful to tho friends Of Diaz. and with very
little opposition they secured a repeal OF their
own amendment OF 1877. Gen. Diaz. who was
exceeding popular. thereupon became eligible
for immediate reelection. and was chosen by
an overwhelming majority.
This result was unquestionably due to the
signal ability Of his Administration during
both it's terms. Whether it was desirable for
Mexico to play fast and loose with constitu-
tional amendments is a matter by itself: but
OF the sagacious. progressive. and fruitful
craftsmanship Of Diaz there can be no doubt.
Our own country has from the first found in
him a most iudicious and appreciatlve friend,
whose efforts to preserve peace between the
two repubIics have been crowned with con-
spicuous success, His hardest task was dur.
ing Hayes's Administration when our cavalry
openly raided Mexico in search Of Indians that
had Numbered in Texas. The Cutting affair.
the Arresures affair, tho Munoz affair at Pie
dras Negras. the Nogales affair. and others
have shown his prudence and firmness,
These facts it is wei; to recall, now that
Cateripo Garza has used American territory
for starting series Of forays, in violation OF
our laws. and for nurnose which is vaguely
described oven by his own adherents. AS far
back ms Inst October Garza issued manifesto
declaring that we insurrectionists demand
political organization according to tho senti-
mont of the Constitution Of 1897" This ia a
reactionarv programme that would hardly an.
neal to American sympathies. even we're IL
carried out without the present violations OF
American laws The Constitution of 1857 was
n splendid stem in democratic government.
since Il insured preater freedom n, relioion
and political discussion. abolished many class
privileges. particuIarlv the military and ecc,e
siastical. and mado the citizens free and equal
to an extent never before known. But even
this instrument has since been greatly nor.
fected. In 1879. for examnle. the Senate was
established. and tho unon between Church
and State completelv broken. II would be a
step ba ackward to sweep away the reforms in
the system Of government achieved since 1897.
The Liberal partv ~ that can he nronerlv do,
scribed as a party which comnrises 40 amor.
nous majority Of the Mexican neon,e has
originated and maintained these reforma
BESIDES. there is only va oue rnmor to sunoort
the view that the adhe erents of the ecclesias
policy. as such. countenance Gnrza's nroceed.
inps. No douIt the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. -, Diaz
.'"s seonuI',nos .' ueeu '"o no" iianu III MeAico
.o..t,.s,e.a -; ~. 80. o.'u
Sou,i'oip p'ots Al Nue'o A1eon anu o'"er o'aIes'
,,"it a uo|on se"'s a.o' Will pe remembered.
but that Is not an excuse Tor the violation OF
our laws which Cara has undertaken. And
as to tho merits OF the case. while there is cer-
taiply great distress in Mexico due 70 cron
failures and other causes. vet pres,dent D;az
is doing h,e hoot - ,tt-a,t soroio, ,.,;tI
-L,L S-''
" A'o' .A''A' a." Aooo
~ '"o oupPless'oh VI 'hoSe por1ions OF
the daEzA movement that originate IN Texas