The Ely miner., 1911-06-23

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R T was "a years ago, way back in
1877, that Gen. Porfirio Diaz was
first elected constitutional presi-
dent of Mexico. His Hast and
eighth election was in July, 1917.
His career since his early youth,
much of which was spent in poverty,
has been adventurous and picturesque.
He was born in September, 1880. his
father being Capt. Jose Faustino Dtaz,
lineal descendant of Bernal Diaz
del Castillo, the companion and h1s-
Photographer of fernando Cortez.
AS boy General Diaz was educated
for the priesthood, but the death OF
his father forced him to some lucra-
tive employment and he became a
drug clerk. While working at this
humble occupation by day. he studied
law and taught school at night.
Juarez, governor of Oaxaca, met the
young man at this point in his career
and became greatly interested in
| him.
The invasion of Mexico by Gen.
Winfield Scott in 1S47 gave General
Diaz his first great chance. Young as
he was, he joined the army and fought
vigorously against the Americans.
On the conclusion of peace he re-
sumed his law studies under the
tutelage of Juarez, but political upris,
ings invariably found him in arms,
80 fN
in the army. giving distinguished
service at Oaxaca and Jalapa.
Head of Highest Court.
HIS great services soon won him
notable recognition. He was raised
to the presidency Of the supreme
court, which in Mexico gives the same
rights of succession that b cice-pres-
ident has in the United States. The
election of Juarez to the presidency
found General Diaz in full accord with
him, but politics soon wearied him,
and he resumed his military career,
serving brilliantly as brigadier gen.
eral against the conservative insured
tionists.
On his return from a two months
campaign in the mountains, where he
had many narrow escapes, he found
himself a popular hero in Mexico.
Juarez, a dictator, had managed so to
embroil himself with foreign govern
ments that fleets of foreign warships
were sent to Mexico. Then followed
the French invasion in 1862. Diaz was
the great hero of the defense. While
Juarez was raising troops in the in.
terror, General Diaz pitted his raw
men against the trained veterans of
France and won great victory. He
was finally overthrown, however, and
taken captive.
He refused a parole and made his
escape, so that in 1863, when the
French after capturing the City Of
Mexico, proclaimed as emperor the
Archduke Maximilian of Austria, Cen
eral Diaz was able to take the field
and reorganize the army of Mexico, of
which he soon became commander-in-
chief
He was captured In 1865 by Marshal
Bazaine while in a conference held
under flag Of truce. Bazaine urged
Macmillan to shoot General Diaz, say
ing that he was the most dangerous
enemy the imperial cause had, but
the emperor tried bribery instead.
General Diaz could not be won by
either threats or bribes, and finally
made his escape. For months after
ward he kept up a constant guerilla
warfare against the French.
After the capture and shooting of
Maximilian, in 1857, General Diaz was
nominated for the presidency by the
progressive liberals against Juarez.
He was defeated, and his partisans
raised the cry Of fraud. General Diaz
was himself convinced that he had
been cheated, and from that time on
there was the bitterest enmity be-
tween him and his old friend Juarez.
In 1871 Juarez again defeated Diaz for
the presidency, but soon afterward
died, his Office falling to Lesdo. his
statutory successor.
General Diaz was an uncompromis.
ing opponent of Lesdo and in 1875 he
raised the standard of rebellion. He
was captured, kept prisoner aboard
warship, but managed to escape by
jumping overheard. Later he was
again captured, but again made his
escape and went to Oaxaca, where he
raised an army of 1000 men. With
this small force he advanced against
the capital. On the way he was rap
idly reinforced and the city capitu-
lated to him on November 23, 1875.
Five days later he assumed the pro-
visional presidency, the people en-.
Enthusiastically supporting him, and in
April of the following year was elect
ed constitutional president.
Ruled With Strong Hand.
He has ruled with a strong hand
since, accommodating vast fortune and
power that was never seriously uues-
toned until the Madero rising.
On the whole General Diaz COM
mended himself to his countrymen as
an able and useful executive. He es-
tablished peace after q century Of