Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-23
MACHINE ABsOLUTIssI.

The nomination of General Porfirio Diaz
for third consecutive term of the MeXi-
can Presidency is generally referred to as
an evidence of his popularity and success
as the Executive of that country. 1t is
said in the reports that he has the backing
| of the great majority of the members of
Congress, that he has been assured of the
support of the Governors of nearly all the
| States, and that most of the papers of the
country are enthusiastically in his favor.
| This statement OF facts, while indicating
popularity, is more significant, taken with
other facts in the history of his career, as
| showing his grip or the political machin-
cry of Mexico. 1t is to be remembered
| that the Constitution of Mexico originally
| forbade the reelection OF President for
two consecutive terms; but that constitu-
tionaI enactmentwas changed expressly to
| permit Diaz's reelection. Now that he is
about to be reelected for third term, it
is evident that, except by revolutionary
changes, Diaz is practically the ruler Of
Mexico for the rest of his life, and has
firmer and more absolute tenure of power
than any civilized ruler except, possibly, the
Gar of Russia.
No one can deny to the man who attains
such power the possession of great ability:
and in no respect has General Diaz dis
played wiser judgment than in founding
his personal rule on an external respect
for the forms of republican government
He has kept clear of the fault to which
other Spanish-American rulers are prone,
of overthrowing the forms of constitu-
tional government by military usurpation,
and has even avoided the example of the
first Bonaparte, of setting up imperialism
by vote of the people. He maintains
scrupulous outward respect for the observ-
ance of republican forms, and at the same
time holds an unrivaled and absolute per-
sonal sway by the use of political ma
chinery to an extent which would make
even Tammany stand aghast His power
was displayed to its greatest extent by the
alteration of the Mexican Constitution to
enable him to remain in Office contlnu-
ously. The influences by which such an
extreme act was done are illustrated by
the facts behind those alleged evidences Of
personal popularity already quoted
The majority Of the members of Con-
gress are in favor of his reelection be-
cause they hold their places by his grace.
The Governors of all the States support
him for the same reason, and the same de-
pendence for political existence upon the
head of the Government extends down to
the lowest ranks of the political system.
Every act of the Mexican Congress regis
tiers the will of its able President For
any man to oppose either the person or
policy of Diaz in Mexico would condemn
him to political obscurity if not to social
and financial extinction. The political
machine, of which the military force is
leading part, takes care that all the cleo
tions shall result as Diaz orders them.
While General D;az is to be recog-
nized as a ruler possessed Of the rarest
ability, nowhere more apparent than in
retaining the semblance of democracy for
personal rule, he cannot De regarded as
an example of true republicanism. His
absolute power, tempered as 1t is by wis
dom and far-sightedness, is a cogent
warning to this country Of the way in
which the reality Of popular rule can be
set at naught by the fullest use of the
political machine.