The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-31
SENIOR ROMERO's CAREER.
A Mexican Statesman Who Served His
Country Well.

A Mexican Statesman Who Served His
Country Well.
A sketch prepared by the Bureau of Amer
lean Republics, and published in it's Dule-
tin for the month of December, 1898, after
revision by Senior Romero himself, gives the
subjoined biographical review of the dead
ambassador:
Senior Romero is one Of the most eminen!
statesmen, writers and diplomats of Mexico.
He was born in the City Of OaXaca Feb. "a,
1881. He received his first education in his
ma tive place and finished it at the capital of
the republic, where he received his diploma
as a lawyer. In 1855 he first entered the For
eign Office, although still pursuing his legal
studies. In 1851, when President Comonfort
made his coup d etat, forcing President Jua-
rez to leave the capital, Senior Romero ac-
companied him to Vera Cruz, where he con-
tlnued in the service of the Department of
Foreign Relations. In December, 1859, he
came TO Washington as first secretary of
the Mexican legation and remained here in
that capacity until August 1860 when, in
the absence of the minister he became
charge d'afaires. He returned to Mexico in
French and was appointed colonel by the
President. Gen. Poriirio Diaz then APP
pointed him chief of staff. Soon after that
President Juarez accredited him envoy
extraordinary and minister penipotentiary
to Washington. He remained at his post
ing rendered most important services to his
country. On his return to Mexico he was
appointed secretary of the treasury, but was
that office in 1872 For three years he re-
manned in Soconusco, devoting himself to
agricultural pursuits, and from 1877 to 1878
was again secretary of the treasury In 1880
he served as postmaster general In March,
1881, he came back to Washington as envoy
extraordinary and minister plenipOtentiary
and has remained in that ca pacity ever since.
with an interruption of only ten months in
1857, when for the third time, he was called
TO serve as secretary of the treasury.
AS representative of his country in the
United States, Senior Romero has shown him
sell most efficient and able diplomat, His
EFFORTS nave been most successful in
Strengthening the friendly ties between the
two nations, and with this object in view he
mas written great deal his productions
always receiving the highest encomiums
from the press of the United States and other
tEpuIltrles. senior Romero was member OF
the international American conference and
IN that body served with great distinction,
havin been one of its two vice presidents. AS
he voted for the establishment of the Bu-.
reau of American Republics, and ever since
It's organization has shown an active and
Jealous interest in its progress. He was a
member of the executive committee of the
bureau wnen that body was first organized,
and OIL every occasion has lent his valuable
aid TO the work Of the International Union IF
American Republics
This sketch necessarily fails to do Justice
to the life work in behalf of his country
performed by the dead man. He had seen
his native country. steadily rise from a
nation or revolutions and disorder to an
honorable position among nations as
progressive, stable and prosperous republic
In much of this he had had a share He
kept in touch with affairs throughout Mex
ico's domains, and, recognizing the fact that
1t was of vital importance to the nation that
its resources and credit should not suffer
because OF fear on the part of capital and
industry that they would be unsafe in the
undcVeloped republic, he investigated with
painstaking care each published account of
dlSorder or violence and then saw that
| where untrue, denials of the publications
were furnished to the press Every old
| newspaper man in Washington became
| familiar with this nnVarViOpr Of
| late ambassador through the receipt of
| clippings of alleged outrages and summaries
| ambassador.
Seror Romero probably was the best
known member of the diplomatic corps in
| Washington and was for some time its dean
| When Great Britain raised her mission to
! an embassy the added rank placed Sir
| Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassador
| in years of service to Senior Romero, who
| was raised only recently from the rank of
minister to that of ambassador, Mexico
| taking advantage of an act of Congress pro-
| Vldlng that the President should have power
| to raise our foreign ministers to the rank
/ of ambassadors, whenever q foreign gov
| eminent should raise the rank of it's ac-
| credited representative. Great Britain. Italy,
| Germany, France and Russia set the ex-
ample which Mexico followed in order to
! henor the diplomat who had represented
! her so ably at Washington for over twenty
years In all, and had served her faithfully
and well in other capacities at home.
| The intimacy between Senor Romero and
General Grant was especially close He also
was on intimate terms with President Lin
coin and Secretary Seward In 1868. when
he returned to Mexico he was sent by Sec
rotary Seward, as a mark of distinction, in
a United States government vessel. Next
| Tuesday had been fixed on as the day when
Senior Romero was to present his credentials
TO President Mckinley as ambassador ex
traordinary and plenipotentiary Besides
his diplomatic duties he a frequent
contributor 10 the magazine literature of this
country, mainly combining his labors to ar
ticles relative to Mexico. During the last
few months the first volume of a valuable
work from his pen appeared entitled Mex
leo and the United States" being a study
of subjects affecting their political. COM
mercial and social relations.
Senor Romero married a Washington
woman many years ago and their home on
I street. off Franklin Park, was a social
center and the scene of brilliant social
functions. large part of the resident as
we'll as official society always attended these
.ffairs. Madame Romero died not long ago.
She and her husband enjoyed the friend
ship and confidence of the leaders in ma
tional events Immediately succeeding the
war.
Tribute to the Dead Statesman.
KANSAS CITY. Mo-. Dec. So-Ex Gov