The daily morning journal and courier., 1896-11-21


 had obtained sufficient national fame to make him candidate for the presi- dency. On the Sth of October, 1867. he received 7S electoral votes against 245 cast for Benito Juare2. His service as president began in 1876, The constitu- ton of Mexico provided that no presi- dent could be his own successor Therein it improved upon the instru- ment which, in many other respects 1t followed closely-the constitution or the United States Other Mexican presidents had sought to perpetuate their administrations when their nrst terms had closed and had brought on revolutions. When DiaZ reached the end of his first term in 1880, he handed over to his successor, Gonzales, a new Mexico The four years which ensued turned back the wheels of progress in- creased the national debt and devel- oped the old spirit of revolution. In 1884 Mexico demanded Diaz again. In 1888 the constitution was amended to make him eligible to succeed himself He was elected again in 1892, and now he is about entering upon his fifth term.
 When they remember how the four years of Gonzales undid much that Diaz had accomplished in his first term, those who have the peace and progress of Mexico at heart fear the day when Diaz gives place to another So long as he will accept, the people will insist that he remain president But Diaz is more patriotic, more of a statesman, than appears upon the sur face. For years this wisest of Mexi- cans has been looking forward to the day when his country must do without him. Those who attribute to him great personal ambition and nothing more do him great injustice. For years he has been sitting out and bringing forward the best men for high political posi- tions It is common to speak of Diaz as an autocrat, to say that he dictates the results of elections. This is not true. As one Mexican state after an- other demonstrates it's capacity for government and passes under the control of good local authority, the na- tional influence is withdrawn. Gradu- ally Diaz has encouraged and deyel- oped this ability. The governors of many of the Mexican states are no longer generals in command of prov- inces. They are men full of the spirit of progress, devoted to the elevation and enlightenment of their people. steadfast upholders of the policy of Diaz.
 President Diaz is looking forward 10 the time when he can transfer the bur dens of his office to younger shoulders and see Mexico continue to go forward at the pace he has set. A part cf the preparation for a future tranquility which shall not be dependent upon one man is seen in the reorganization Of the army Officers who have shown the qualifications of strict discipline have been retained and promoted. Off, ficers who might be brave, but lacking in the appreciation and practice, of dis cipline, have been weeded out. The re- | suit is seen to-day in condition which the Mexican soldiery never knew be- fore. The spirit of discipline compre- hends all ranks The country is divi- ded into military zones. Over each zone is a commander whose loyalty to the president is beyond question. Un- der each commander is maintained the strictest organization extending down to those in the ranks The time was when a revolution usually embraced the regular troops in that section of \ Mexico where 1t started The plan of discipline pursued By Diaz has put an end to revolts within the army Ap- plying the same principle in politics, | the president has encouraged local self government always seeing to it that | those in control are imbued with a spirit of loyalty to the federal authori- 1 ty Assured of this, the president leaves to the states the conduct of their politics and internal affairs.
 | Perhaps Mexico has not yet reached | the stage where she can get on without 1 the guiding hand of Diaz, but she is very near to it. None will rejoice more | than the president to feel that the good order and progress of the country are not dependent upon a. single personal | ity.
 The Mexican constitution, like the American constitution, requires the president to remain within the juris- diction of his country during his term of office. The Mexican constitution, 1 however, can be more quickly amended to meet emergencies. Desiring to en- courage Mexico to lean less upon him, ! General Diaz has in contemplation such a change as will permit him to withdraw gradually from public life It need occasion no surprise if before the new term has progressed far. the Mexican constitution Is amended tem- porarily in such manner as to permit the selection of a provisional president while General Diaz takes departure ! from the country for g. long rest, in the form of visit to the United States and Europe. and perhaps journey around | the world.
 | The plan is a matter of quiet discus | sion in government circles. There is already speculation as to who shall succeed. Two strong personalities have been mentioned, under either of f, whom Mexico would know no back ward movement. One is Jose Ives Li- mantour, the present minister of l finance, whose able management of Mexico's debt has elicited the admira- ton of the world. The other is Gene ral Trevino, who has just built mag l nidcent home in Monterey, and who is a great favorite with Americans. Gen. | era1 Trevino is known on the border as ''the father of the international baby" 1 This international baby is little Heiro- nino Trevino. His mother is the | daughter of General E. C. Ord, United