The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-04-06
A ssNIexican WaShinCtOn,o

A ssMexican Washington"
At the time of the birth of Benlto
Pablo Juarez, which took place March
p. 1906, there was little in the political
conditions in Mexico or in the ideals OF
her people to indicate that at the end
of century the United States would
have republican neighbor on the
south of her at once peaceful, pros
porous and sufficiently enlightened tc
hold in grateful memory leader who
in some respects was entitled to com
parisOn with Washington. A hundred
years ago Mexico was in the plight OF
Cuba at her worst. She was Spanish
colony, ruled from Madrid. Society
consisted Of four classes of opposite
temper, tendency and interest. Gov.
eminent was exclusively in the hands
of Spaniards of European birth. The
Indians were lowest in the social scale,
being held in peonage. all but the no.
bles. Mexican Spaniards We're held in
contempt by their foreign born rulers
and the people of mixed Spanish and
Indian blood were but little better of
than the mass Of Indians.
Napoleon Bonaparte's usurpation OF
realm Of Spain, and the excitement
which followed the upheaval did not
subside in Mexico until the land of the
MOntezumas took her place in the fam
lily of nations as republic. Juarez
sprung from the better class of In
dams and was given fair education
At the age of thirty he was of sufh-
cient Importance to be thrown into
prison as a rebel against the govern.
ment of Santa Anna. He continued to
fight Santa Anna and even acted indie
pendently for the defense of his state,
Oajaca, during the war with the United
States. Being finally driven out Of
Mexico by the dictator, Juarez lived in
New Orleans from 1853 to 1855. when
he returned to Mexico and joined Santa
stormy career in the cabinet and as
leader Of parties, now with and now
against the ruling power, sometimes
issuing manifestOes from a prison cell,
his government was recognized by the
United States in 1850, and from that
time until his death, in 1872, he was
the head of the social and political re-
form forces of Mexico. The United
States saved Juarez, and Juarez saved
Mexico from reaction and chaos
Juarezs administration led to for
eign interference in the affairs of the
republic. Driven from the City of
Mexico by the French in 1863, he was
hunted from place to place by foreign
arms or the uprisings of his own peo-
pie, but in 1867 he recovered his CAPT.
tai and was reelected president. in
one crisis he took refuge on the Unit
ed States frontier, having with him but
twenty-five faithful followers, after
ward known as the "immaculates."
Notwithstanding the complete ex-
haustion of the national treasury,
Juarez suppressed by military power
numerous revolutionary attempts to
overthrow him. He died suddenly after
short illness. Judged differently by
admirers and enemies, this eXtraordi-
nary man had at least the quality of
honesty Of purpose and perhaps for
this alone deserves the name Of "the
Mexican Washington" which some of
his people have bestowed upon him. He
reconciled the Mexican people to the
rule of a civilian, and if not the
founder of modern Mexico he was at
least the road breaker for her political
progress.