The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-12
MANUEL GONZALEZ.

The? telegraph announces the death of
Manuel Gonzalez, Governor of the State Of
Guanajuato, in Mexico. The one-armed
old soldier. who had reached his seventy
third year, cut in his time no small figure in
the history of modern Mexico.
He began life as q guerrilla when there
was no settled government in Ills part Of
Mexico and every highwayman could claim
that he was in arms for some political pur-
pose. But when the French undertook TO
subvert the Mexican Government, and to
substitute an empire under Macmillan.
Gonzalez had sense enough TO espouse the
right side, and he offered his sword to
Juarez. he took part in the engagements
which followed the French Invasion, and
when Juarez was compelled to fly he betoOk
himself TO the mountains and erected there
a stronghold from which Bazaine was
unable to axpel him. On one occasion when
the Frenchman thought he had corraled
him Gonzalez cut his way through the
French and Joined General Escobedo-a
feat which ELECTED high praise from the
snldiers of our army. He took a leading
part in the campaign which led to the
expulsion of the French and The restoration
of Juarez to power. Thus far, If one pass
over certain indiscretions Of youth, Con-
zalez' career had been one of which his
friends need not be ashamed.
But Juarez made him Governor of the
City of Mexico, and the Presidential Palace,
which had been occupied by Macmillan.
fell under his control. 1t contained large
quantities of plate. jewels and other valu-
ables, which Macmillan had left behind
when he went out to his death. The sight
of the treasures was more than the appe-
title OF the ex-bandit could endure. He
helped himself. was detected and fled.
Affairs in Mexico we're in so disorganized
a condition that he did not need to leave the
country. Lerdo de Teiada had succeeded
Juarez: but a number Of leading Mexicans,
among whom was the brilliant yonng soldier
POriiTio DiaZ, took up arms against the
Government and eventually overthrow it.
GONZALEZ had joined DiaZ, and when the
latter was chosen President in 1877, he made
Gonzalez Secretary of War, and married
into his family. DiaZ even went so far as
to nominate him for President, when his
own term expired in 1880, and he was duly
elected, Disz taking Office under him as Min
lister of Public Works. Every reader will
remember the friChtful confusion into which
the finances of Mexico had then fallen.
No interest was paid on the public debt,
duu all DH Ollt 6uleI pElSHS NHIt IIltSkcQ lOE
want of means. Gonzalez endeavored to
increase the revenue by doubling the taxes
The expedient failing. he resigned the Presi-
deHcy into tile hands of Diaz in 1884. Be-
fore leaving he laid hands On every dollar
in the treasury, in defiance of the protests
of the Finance Minister. and carried all the
silver off in carts, under cavalry escort,
to Guanajuato.
Ii was well for him that his successor was
his kinsmnn and his friend. Ii was then
confidently expected that he would turn up
in this city with his ill-gotten gains, and
much speculation ensued on the question
whether he could be extradited. But he
never left his native land. He settled quiet
ly on his estates at Guiana uato. and the
story was privately circulated that the Next
cans would think twice before they prose-
cuted so very rich man. In 1885 articles
of impeachment were introduced into the
Mexican Congress. but they were quietly
pigeunholed. Individual members who
wanted to call Gonzalez to account were pr-
vaely told that such a step would be dis
pleasing to the President and would prob
ably impair his ability to extrlcate Mexico
from the chaos in which it lay. So the mat
ter was dropped.
Gonzalez was elected Governor of Qua
D2Juato, and Reelected as often as he
wanted. Though he had began life as a
highwayman, and had twice looted the pub
lie treasury, which had been placed within
his reach, he enjoyed in his later years uni
versal respect, and will doubtless have a
splendid funeral.
He was a member of the old school of
Mexican soldier-statesmen. of which Santa
Anna was the type. He was patriot after
his fashion; that is to say. be was ready TO
fight for what he deemed to be best for his
country, but like Marlborough and Mas
sena, be demanded as the price of his patri-
otism hon0rs and money! great deal of
money. In the school to which he belonged
it was not thought wrong for a victorious
general to enrich himself by plumber.
Marlborough could not be made to see that
he was wrong in putting the secret service
money into his pocket and in collecting a
commission from the contractors who sup
piled his army with food and forage.
Neither could Gonzalez be brought to ad-
nit that he had been guilty when he peck
eted MaXimillan's spoons or left the treas
ury vaults SO bare that his successor did n ot
find money enough in them to pay the jan
itor. 1t is fortunate for Mexico that it Is In
the hands Of one who has sounder views of
meum and tuum, and who, after lease of
power which has covered nearly two
decades. is as poor now as when Office was
| first forced on him.