The Washington herald., 1908-03-01
Mexican Ruler Tires Of Of
flee After 27 Years.
COULD HAVE BEEN A KING
A President, Although Virtually n
Dictator, He Has Used HIS Power
tn Establish Strong Republic.
Description OF One of the Great
est Men of the Present Age.

country while I live. PORFIRIO DIAZ.
President Diaz. the grizzled hero who
has compelled peace by force. an autocrat
in the guise of a constitutional govern
ment Of his people. is the truest believer
in democracy as the ultimate adjust
ment between man and man.
In al interview with James Creelman.
who journeyed 10 the storied Castle OF
Chapultepec to paint a word picture
OF the most picturesque and towering
figure Of modern times which is pub
lished IN Pearson's Magazine for March,
President Diaz gives not only his Ideas
OF government. but gives the weakness
of his nation as the explanation OF his
course His mission finished, Mexico
lifted from her slough Of despond 20
the safe heights OF confidence and sta
/ bility, he looks forward TO change in
Office as the opening OF q new era.
Mr.. Creelman's description Of the man
as given in the New York World Is
graphic:
& Strong Figure.
A high. wide forehead that slopes up
10 crisp. white hair and overhangs deep
set, dark brown eyes that search your
soul. soften into inexpressible kindness
and then dart quick side looks-terrible
eyes. threatening eyes. loving. conhding
! humorous eyes-a straight, powerful
broad. and somewhat heshy nose, whose
curved nos,rils lift and dilate with
every emotion: huge. viriie jaws that
sweep from large fiat, fine ears set
close 20 the head. to the tremenduous.
square. lighting Chin a wide. firm mouth
shaded by a white mustache: a fun. short
muscular neck; wide shoulders. deep
chest; a curiously tense and rigid car
riage that gives great distinction 10 a
personality suggestive OF singular power
and dignity-that is POrfiriO DiaZ in his
seventy-eighth yezr as I saw him a few
weeks ago on the spot where. forty years
before. he stoOd-with his besieging army
surrounding the City OF Mexico. and the
young Emperor MaXimilian being shot
10 death In Queretaro; the soldier-states-
man. whose adventurous youth pales the
pages OF Dumas, and whose iron rule
has converted the warring. ignorant. sup
erstitious. and Impoverished masses n
Mexico oppressed by centuries of Span
ish cruelty and greed. into a strong.
steady, peaceful debt-paying, and pro
gressive nation.
TwenIy-seven Years Rule.
For twenty-seven years he has govern
ed the Mexican Republic with such power
that national elections have become mere
formalites. He might easily have set
crown upon his head.
Yet tO-dIy. ia the supremancy OF his
career. this astonishing uaa-foTemost
figure OF he American hemisphere and
unreSdahie mystery 70 students OF hu-
man ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS that he VIII
insist on retiring from the Presidency
a be- end of afe raracarf farr,r - -1,at n,
may see his successor peacefully estab-
iished and that with his assistance. tire
people OF the Mexican Republic may show
the world that they have entered serenely
and preparedly upon the last complete
phase Of their liberties.
1T is a mistake 10 suppose that the
future Of democracy In Mexico has been
endangered by the long continuance IN
office OF one President" the general said.
in part. I can say sincerely that Office
has not corrupted my political ideals
and that I believe democracy 10 be the
one true Just principle Of government. al
though I'm practice Il is possible only 20
highly developed peoples
IT IS a natural sentiment Of demo-
cratic peoples that their OflcIals should
be often changed. j agree with that sen
timent.
Yet the abstract principles OF democ-
racy and the practical. effective appli-
cation Of them are often necessarily diff
ferent
Praise for Roosevelt.
I can see no good reason why PresI-
dent Roosevelt should not be elected
again II a majority Of the American
people desire to have him continue in
Office. I believe that he has thought
more or his country than Of himself
In my judgment the fight 20 restrain
the power of the trusts and keep them
from depressing the people Of the United
States marks one OF the most important
and significant periods in your history.
Mr. Roosevelt has faced the crisis like
a great man.
THE American fear Of a third term
seems TO me to be without any Just rea-
son. There can be TO question OF prin-
ciple in the matter IL a majority of the
people OF the United States approve his
policies and want him to continue his
work
Il received this government from the
hands Of a victorious army az a time
when the people were divided and un-
prepared for the exercise of the extreme
principles OF democratic government.
To have thrown upon the masses the
whole responsibility OF government at
once would have produced conditions
that might have discredited the cause
of free government. An election was
held as soon as possible and then my
authority came from the people. / have
tried 10 leave tie Presidency several
times, but II has been pressed upon me
and I remained in Office for the sake OF
the nation which trusted me-
why He Kept Office.
I'VE preserved the republican and dem
ocratic form Of government We de-
Tended the theory and kept it intact.
Yet we adopted a patriarchal policy in
the actual administration of the nations
affairs. guiding and restraining popular
tendencies. with full faith that an en-
forced peace would allow education. in
dustry, and commerce to develop ele-
ments Of stability and unity in natural
ly intelligent, gentle. and affectionate peo-
pie.
4 welcome an opposition party. II it
apears. I will regard II as a blessing.
not as an evil And if il can develop
power. not 10 exploit but 10 govern,
Will stand by il. support it. advise il,
and forget myself in the successful in
auguration OF complete democratic gov
ernment IN the country.
ut is enough for me that have seen
Mexico rise among the peaceful and use
ful nations. l have nc desire TO con-
tinue In the Presidency. This nation is
ready for her ultimate life of freedom.
at the age OF seventy-seven years I am
satisfied with robust health. That is one
thing which neither law nor force can