The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1909-05-14
Can Mexico Afford to
Change It's President?

N1dlSS It's EICStQCllt'
One of the very strongest PERSONAL
ties which have appeared upon the
worlds stage during the past half CEN
fury is Porfirio Diaz. who has been
elected president of the Mexican re-
public seven times. Fortunately he
had the advantages of classical edu-
cation at the OaXaca institute, and
had grounded himself in law before
the call to arms in defense of his
country compelled him to abase all
thought of self and dedicate his first
years of manhood to the god of war.
The history of Mexico from the days
of Santa Anna and the war against
the United States, into and during the
internecine revolution and the threat
ening inroads of Macmillan and
French and Austrian troops, is rem
dered notable and glorious by the
martial activities of Diaz who proved
himself a warrior of the first magni-
tude. devoted patriot whose genius, |
military skill and indomitable energy
were, perhaps. the prime factor in
and in bringing order out of chaos,
both social and political.
When first elected to the presi-
dency in 1877 he found before him a
vast constructive problem. He found
people split into many factions. He
found conditions bordering on an
archy, and rendered dOubly dangerous
by an appalling ilIiteracy among the
masses. How well he performed the
task of bringing order out of chaos
a giant undertaking from which a
Hercules might we'll have recoiled,
fearful and daunted-is proclaimed by
the present strong position of Mexico
among the governments of the world.
In the language of the Mexican Her
aid of April 80:
Let us be frank. with the frankness
of a friend. Mexico and the whole
Mexican environment have stamped
themselves on this notable man, and
he, by the force of his unbTeakable
will and the Iucidity of an intelligence
which directs his immense ambitions,
illuminating the road along which his
powerful Will drives him iTresistibly,|
has stamped himself on the Mexican
nation. You cannot diSsociate Diaz
from Mexico, for of her later and
most significant history he is the
maker. This SupeTman came on the
stage of events at a time when Mexi-
co was a mere CongeTies of mutually
Jealous provinces. lacking modern
means of inteTcOmmuniCation, lacking
provision for popular education, an
easy prey to foreign enemies. a geo
81 10
grew up amid civil war. learned the
trade of the soldier, won fame as a
military chieftain. and. dominated by
an ambition having its roots in ca
pacity and a genuine patriotism, made
straight for the presidency, for the
post OF chief executive. 1t was all as
inevitable, given conditions as they
existed a generation ago. that Por-
firio Diaz should come to the head of
affairs here as that the young Ma
poleon Bonaparte should emerge from
the dust and smoke of battlefields and
make himself master of France.
Nor can we think it possible that
the work of Diaz has been finished,
despite the fact that a political cabal
has formed to prevent his being
again chosen for the presidency. AL
though the Mexico of today is as a
rock-ribbed hill when compared with
the chaotic Mexico of 1S77-a quick
sand whose shifting, threatening
wastes foretold destruction; still 1t
has not yet reached a point in social
and civic development when it may
afford to take chances in its selection
OR a chief executive. A strong hand,
a brave heart, lofty patriotism, a
conspicuous intellectually are stiIl
needed to complete the work and lift
the republic to the eminence prophe-
sled by its splendid resources and geo
graphical location. And one may we'll
defy the enemies of Diaz to produce
another Mexican so well equipped as
the great president in all these neces-
sary attributes.