Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-07-30
PRESIDENT DIAz up AGAIN.
Has Been President OF Mexico for Five
Terms and Wants Vet Another.

RtpuDllc OF MEXICO contains SUIllctent
assurance that this remarkable politi-
can will be successful in gaining a
fifth successive term of the presidency
and that, barring accidents, he will
hold the ice until the end of the nine
teenth century. In reality he Will be
elected This year for his sixth term, as
he had held the office Tor Il term prior
to the election OF President Gonzales in
the year 1880. In November next he
will close the twentieth year OF his SER
vice as president of Mexico: and, Il he
shall outliye the ensuing term, he will
aave record of twenty four years Iii
the Office
President DIaz has record without
a parallel in Mexico or in any of the
ether republics of Spanish America.
Previous To his time there had been an
irregular line OF incompetent rulers
there had been ten or twelve provls-
lona" presidents, three or four presi-
dents in charge" substitute pr,,si-
dent and several dictators All of Them
held power by a most uncertain tenure;
the greater part of them lest their place
by revolution. There was not in the
world more unstable government than
that of Mexico
President Diaz is sc years CT age and
is a half-breed. BY his mother he IL a
descendant from the Indian race Of
Mexico, and By his father from the
Spanish race. In his infancy his father
died, and was trained for life in
OaXaca by his Indian mother VINO iivCa
in poverty. In his youth. after period
OF clerkship and service III an inn, he
studied for the priesthood of the Roman
Catholic church, but, after a time gave
up the pur pose )f entering upon an &c
clesiastical career; he began the study
Of law; he took part in politics; he was
a member of the Legislature of his state,
he was soldier on the liberal side in
times OF strife, he was a general in the
war against the empire which Fance
had set up in Mexico; ana it was IN this
war tina. he Won the renown which
caused MIN to be chosen as provisional
president in the year 1876 ana as con-
stitutional president the next year.
Stree that time he has held the Off ot
chief executive, EXCEPT during the four
years in which it was held by Manuel
Gonzales
The course of Mexican history has
been changed under Diazs administra-
ton. Revolutions and civil wars have
beer. brought to an Sad, the old inc
tyranny has passed away; the posse9sor
Of the Office of president has lived In
safety; the stability OF the government
has been secured
With abiding peace the coHItry has
attained a degree of prosperity unex-
anpled in its history. Ii was III i N 1st
satisfactory manner that President
Diaz, in his last message tc lhe MeX,an
congress, reviewed the state of the coun-
try lie told of the advancement OF
education, the growth OF the industries
and of commerce, the construction OF
great public works, tho hetterment of
the government finances, The opening
up of new and useful branches Of ae-
tiyity, the improvement of trade and
the lessening of taxation. I'VE are
justified" he said, in expecting such
an increase of the normal sources OF
revenue as will amply suffice for all
budget requirements The pfesdents
messages TO his congress within recent
years have been of kind never known
in Mexico before his assumption of Of
fee, never known between the time IN
which Mexico won her independence
from Spain and that in which she chose
a president who was able to garner the
fiuits of independence and liberty.
1t is, under these circumstances that
Diaz becomes a candidate for election
of president L is TO a country which
fully appreciates the results of his long
period of administration that he appeals
for reelection. Not only IS II impos-
sible to name any other candidate who
has a record like his. but 1t would be
impossible to forecast the consequences
Of Tic election Of am other 1t is true
that he must some time cease to he
president, but 1t is hoped that ere death
oyertakes him Mexico will be well as
sured of the continuance of the politi-
cal system which he has done SO much
to establish.
President Diaz Is something more
than a successful politician. ffs pos
s. sses the qualities of stateeInanship.
He understands the needs of his eoun-
try and also the method of supplying
them through the legislation OF a con-
gress in which he Is influential and
which regards his judgment, His skin
as diplomatist has been made mani
fest by his several negotiations with
European powers, Dy his mastery Of
the troublesome case Of Guatemala and
ty his desirable cooperation with the
United States in the settlement Of the
boundary question. His friendllness
toward this country and his constant
desire for the maintenance Of peace
with it have been as important 70 the
American people as TO those Of Mexico.
The method Of eleeting president
in Mexico is the same as it Is In the
United States that is TO say, by electors
popularity chosen In general election
Dia7's present term comes 10 an end
Nov. 81 next.