San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-08-19
MEXICo's BEsPor
The Republic Only a Sham.

The gentleman is a thorough
scholar of the German language in
which his criticism was written for
the "Freie Presse fuer Texas" and
of which this is a translation:
THE POLITICAL CONDITION OF
MENICO.
The political development of
Mexico is again in a stagnant con-
dition, out Of which it can only be
rescued by force, unless an act of
political foresight and denial (sac-
rifice) by the present administra-
ton in power will bring about a
peaceable solution.
1t was a revolution which placed
Gen. Diaz at the head of the gov
eminent in 1876. 1t was not the
individuality OF the man that drove
his friends and adherents into the
contest, but the expectation that
some much needed political reforms
would be inaugurated and carried
out. Instead of these expected re-
forms. the execution OF which have
gradually been forgotten, nothing
has been gained except military
dictatorship which is daily increas-
ing in brutality, the end of which
is beyond conjecture.
Mexico has had, until lately, but
little intercourse with foreign
countries, and even least of all
with the United States. 1t is the
general opinion that the limita-
ton of church power and liberal
legislation We're due to the govern
ment of Gen. Diaz; this is not
proven by historic facts.
Liberal legislation is the work of
the liberal party of thirty years
ago, the main leader of which, the
never to be forgotten Juarez, and
of which other men of note, such
as Ocampo, DegOllado, the Lerdo
de TejadO brothers, etc, were strong
adherents.
The real progress of country
can never be the work Ofany single
individual and when this is claim
ed it is proof THAT depOtism has
made its appearance.
After the fall of the Empire it
was IuareZ and LerdO who Occu-
pied the Presidents chair, both
were honest and able statesmen
who undertook the reorganization
of the country under great difficult
ties and who fOstered liberal princi-
pies in all directions. After many
years of civil war it was impossible
to make Democratic government
positive fact but the government
was cOrrespondingly just and never
attempted to restrict or circum-
scribe public opinion. Under
these conditions with public dis
cussion, progress of state develop
ment was an assured fact.
Thus it came, that within the
liberal party a new sentiment was
created which aimed at a restric-
ton of the powers Of the president
by fOrbidding his immediate re-
election. In order to arrive at a
true comprehension to this reform
it must be considered that
,militarism has been so deep-rOOted
in Mexico as to make it a COmpar-
lively easy matter for any presi-
dent to perpetuate his position in
the presidential chair and thus
avoid all responsibility.
In order to make it possible to IA
facilitate the transit from despo-
tism to democracy it is necessary
to find means by which the presi-
dent can be made responsible for
his official acts and this can
only be arrived at under existing
conditions by positive man.
date for the president to step
off and out at the end of mis- term.
1t was the knowledge of this con-
stantly increasing majority which
enabled DiaZ to usurp the govern
ment, his revolutionary plan en-
phasiZed this, besides, he promised
the abolition Of the stamp act and
reputation of outstanding foreign
Indebtedness.
1t was the plan in which the
just claims of the educated classes
were to beiconsidered equally with
the natural antipathies of the SIM
pld but peculative and light fin
gered class.
The plan proved to be a success
and Diaz became president.
After his first term of office he
did not consider it time to throw
down the mask and he stepped out
to transfer his power to Gonzales
with the positive understanding
that it was to be returned. Con.
zales kept his promise on his part