Oakes Republican. (Oakes, N.D.) 1898-1906, 1904-04-01

step time and again on the toes of
their partners, but the bare-footed
didn't seem to mind. We were given
two rounds of flowers from the
garden and every hospitality was
extended u.s.. The old folks were
evidently glad to see US, aud proved
to be first-rate entertainers And we
came away glad OF the things we had
seen, and also glad of the things We
should not have seen.
The second day in Mexico we were
joined by Charles Jones, formerly of
Glendale. He has been in the
republic for the past three years,
employed now as passenger conductor
on the Mexican Central, running into
Guadalajara. Charley was very
much tickled at seeing so many peo-
pie from North Dakota, and especi-
ally bis old acquaintances of Dickey
County. In connection with his rail.
road work he also interests himself
in The Jalisco Times, an English
newspaper in Guadalajara. Charley
is making money, and the country
apparently agrees with him. He
says he will be in Dickey County
next fall to cast ballot for Teddy
Roosevelt.
A visit to Mexico would not be
complete without seeing President
Diaz, and on the last day of our visit
in the capitol city we were privileged
brief audience with this grand old
man. We met him in the National
Palace, where with master hand he
guides the affairs of the republic.
Our visit was formal, each of the
party being introduced individually,
and shaking the president by the
hand. Altho man of over seventy
years, he has the appearance of q
man OF fifty. He is alert, stands
erect, of splendid bearing and gives
firm handshake. He was dressed
in common suit of plain black, and
wore narrow four-in hand tie with
turned-down collar.
General Porfirio Diaz is the great
est ruler Mexico has yet had. With
the exception of four years he has
been in the presidential chair since
1876. His administration has been
an era OF peace and Mexico is just
beginning to enjoy her freedom and
to reap the benefits of the civilization
of the twentieth century.
Mexico threw of the Spanish yoke
in 1921, after q rule, OF misrule, of
over three hundred years. Iturbide
was the first emperor, but after q
year he was banished and q republi-
can form of government established
under Santa Anna. There was
succession of monarchial and re-
publican forms of government, and
many revolutions, until 1876, when
General Diaz took charge. The
republican form of government is in
name only. President Diaz has
supreme command, and has as much
control over his subjects as any of
the autocratic heads of Europe. He
rules with q wise, yet firm hand, and
is much beloved by the people of his
country.
The National Palace is o large
building with 675 feet frontage. and
contains most of the government
Offices, and splendid museum and
observatory. In the museum we saw
the ancient calendar. of the Aztecs,
engraved on q round slab of stone,
and the magnificent carriage of Max
millian, who was once arch duke of
Austria and sent over in 1867 to rule
Mexico by the order of Louis Nspo-
leon, emperor of France. The post
Office is also on the north side of this
building. They all open into a large
court yard, which is entered by arched
driveways, the entrances being
heavily guarded by soldiers.
Fronting this is the Zocalo,
beautiful plaza with splendid shade
trees and band stand, from which
music is dispensed two or three times
. week. To the north is the cathed-
raj, the most prominent building of