Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1895-02-07
THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO.

1t has been reported that in TIT
event of q war between Mexico an(
Guatemala President DiaZ, OF the for
mer country, will take the field II
person as commandments OF The
army Though the rumor is doubted
it may serve to bring again prominent
| ly before the world one of the most
picturesque figures of the century i'll
| Spanish American countries. law
yer. patriot, manufacturer conspiratOr
! insurgent, exile, governor and presi-
dent, DiaZ has had a stormy, variegated
and wonderful career.
DiaZ WAS born at Oaxaca, Septembe Der
| Is, 1880 Some years earlier the revolt
against Spanish domination had
plunged his country into Il series of
revolutions which lasted more than
half century. IN his veins the blood
of Spain was mingled with that of the
Mixteca Indians At II he quilted his
law books to enlist in u regiment in
tended to serve in the war against the
United States, but reached the scene
of hOstilities after the fighting was
over He then left the army to return
to the law, but the progress of revolu
tionary disturbances soon brought him
age OF % he was political and military
governor Of Ixtlan. He espoused the
cause of the liberal party, and was a
prominent figure in the intestine strug
giles which lasted for years He render
ed distinguished services against
Macmillan and his French allies. lie
was twice taken prisoner, and twice
escaped. After the empire ended in
II l.n lat, FL, 1 l.,
presidency against JuareZ, but, being
beaten, raised the standard Of revolt
against his ole commander. After an
struggle he was compelled
to leave the country, but after the
death of JuareZ decree OF amnesty
permitted his return. He engaged for
IA slime in the manufacture of sugar, |
but soon drifted back into politics, and |
in 1876 was again in revolt, and not
long afterwards again in exile. He
spent some time in New Orleans, but |
soon went to Mexico in disguise, and |
began to make trouble for the govern
ment. He was several times defeated |
but OH the 10Th of November, 1876, won
q signal victory For while Mexico
had four pretended presidents at once,
but during 1877 Diaz put down all
and held the reins of power
until December, 1880. BY the "plan of
ruxtepec," which DiaZ had promoted
the president was limited to single
term, so he was succeeded in 1880 by
Gonzales. Before 1884 the law was
changed. He is likely to continue
president as long as he lives, unless
displaced by II revolution
1t appears from this sketch that
DaZ lacks a good deal of being a
W Washington, but he has probably done
or Mexico what q more scrupulOus
nan WoHld have failed to accomplish
lie was nursed amid the storms of
evoiutionS, which succeeded each other
With beWildering rapidity. The sue
eSSfnI chieftain took the reins of
,oWer as Il matter Of course, and held !
hem until some one got together a
trOnger force and drove him into exile. i
When this had gone on for half a cen
ury, the country was badly i'm need of
epose, and this Diaz, in spite of the i
oubtful character of his original title,
as succeeded in giving it. Underhim
he country has not only had rest, but +,
IS progress has been greater than ever
efore. 1t would be too much to say I
nat he is an ideal ruler, but he is pro |
ably rs good a one as could possibly I
himself in Mexico He is 4 {
.rOng man in position where strong t
van is Indispensable LO2tiS Globe
'eWOcp0t ,