Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-06
Juarez,s usurpation and Death.

The most fruitful source of the
revolutions which have marked the
Independent existence of the Latin
American states has been the effort
OF the public men of those countries
to continue themselves in power or to
attain the presidency by other than
peaceful and constitutional methods.
This has been pre- eminsntly the case
in the history of Mexico. and proved
true in the epoch under review. The
re- emancipation of Juarez was fol-
Bowed by a pronunciamento by DiaZ,
Hdeelaring his election Illegal and void,
because ne had prevented a fair ex-
preston of the popular will by force
and official intimidation. and he took
up arms, with the battle-cry Of mo
re election Lerdo's partisans in
various parts of the country followed
the example of DiaZ. but Lerdo him
stlf did not leave the capital and took
no open part in the revolt. The
whole nation was soon turned into an
armed camp. and bloody battles oc-
Cured between the government troops
land the revomtIonists in many Sec
tions of the country. The situation
indicated the triumph of Diaz. when
on July Is, 1872. Juarez died sudden
|ly of an attack of apoplexy.
The angel of death proved to be the
messenger OF peace. Lerdo. as vice
president. assumed the presidency,
Diaz acauisced in the act, and an
election resulted in the choice of
L.erdo for the constitutional term of
four years. A general proclamation
of amnesty was issued. and there
seemed the promise of an era OF peace
for the country Diaz came quietly
to the capital after the election, and
interest in political affairs. although
he had been elected member of
Congress. II was said that the adj
ministration made overtures TO him to
accept a foreign mission. which he
declined. When il became apparent
that President Lerdo would seek a re-
election Diaz left the capital and went
to his native state of Oaxaca. Mean
while discomfort was manifesting it
self in various parts of the country
and local uprisings We're frequent
AS early as May, 1875 Congress con-
ferred on the president What are
termed extraordinary faculties" This
| is a species of legislation quite COM
mon in the system of government of
Mexico and other Latin American
states, but is never resorted to except
in the fact of an alssmins revolution,
or at least under thespretext of great
danger To the nation. Its objection
able features, in Republican point
| of view. are that it suspends the
Legislative power and makes the ex-
ecutive dictator.
Daz Starts His Revolution.
This action of Congress satisfied the
partisans of DiaZ that their candidate
would stand no chance of obtaining a
free expression of the popular will at
the coming presidential election, and
they resolved again to appeal to arms.
In January, 1876, the plan of Tux
tepec" was proclaimed in one of the
mountain towns of Oaxaea from which
it took its name, denouncing the re-
election of Lerdo, and naming Diaz as
the Regeneration of the country.
Oaxaca and the neighboring states
were soon in revolt. but the govern
ment sent large masses of troops into
that region, and Diaz transferred his
Operations to the Rio Grande frontier
1.-THE entire country was again in the
lthroes of a revolution even more
widespread than that of 1871 against
lJuarez. and early in the year we be-
Igan to feel its effects in the capital
Tn, =. a. ~