New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-05-07
THE RESIGNATION or PORfIhio
UII/

VII/.
The resignation of Porfrio Diaz from
the Presidency Of the Mexican Reluolio
is believed TO be impending. III may W.
announced at any moment. For SONIC
time it has been regarded as ineNl''o.e'
The rebel leader and pretender 10 'ne
Presidency. Francisco Madero, has ire
ouently prescribed it as an Indispensable
preliminary to the ending of the reoei-
lion. which the federal government mas
not seemed TO be able TO suppress el'her
through generous concessions or ny lore
O. arms. Other insurgent leaders nave
not taken so extreme a stand, OelilS
willing to treat for peace before the re-
tirement Of the President. but all nave
strongly urged that Genera Dlaz shouiu
retire as the only means OF fully satiS-
fyinc the very widespread disaffection
and discomfort and of restoring har-
mony and union throughout the repuD-
lie The belief has therefore gained
ground, though ii has been accepted Win
much reluctance. even among the friends
and supporters of the President. that the
dicnitied retirement of the veneraDle
statesman and benefactor of Mexico
must be effected.
Ii would be superfluOuS. or vain. 10
attempt here review or even de-
tailed appreciation of the unique career
of President Diaz His place in history
is we believe, already quite secure as
that Of the greatest man whom Mexico
or indeed all Latin America has yet pro-
duced. To Mexico his services have been
simply invaluable. When he became
President of that republic its name was
a worldwide byword. synonymous with
a disorder approXimating anarchy. From
Santa Anna 10 Juarez and Gonzales ITS
numerous chiefs of state had been either
selfiShly corrupt or incompetent. In him
foi the first time Mexico had a ruler who
was both strong and honest. We speak
Of him as a ruler. He was indeed more
OF Il personal autOcrat than represent
ative Of the people. But those who Will
not respect King Log must obey King
Stork. The verdict Of history will ne,
and indeed already is, that such absout-
ism was necessary. and that II was
abundantly indicated by the beneicence
Of its results Nevertheless. it was not
fitting that such rule should 90 Oh for
ever. unless we were to adopt the re-
pugnant theory that the MeXicanS were
incapable of attaining ability for self
government theory which would he a
gloss and groundle,a asperSion either
upon them or upon President Diaz him
self.
The salient point which most demands
present emphasis is this. that from first
to last President DiaZ has been ami
mated and actuated by pure and unset
fish patriotism. If he has been arbitrary
and deSpotic if he has refused reforms
which some have demanded. if he has
practically reappOintcd himself TO office
term after term. he has done 50 because
he has believed such course 70 he hign-
" desirable if not quite Indispensable
for the good of Mexico. He has not en-
I'iched himself ut the public expense.
He has not Squandered the Peoples
u cans and resources upon family or
fav0rites. He has sought 10 maintain
peace and To promote prosperity at home
and to win credit and To command con-
iidence and honor abroad. and in these
aims he has attained Il greater degree
of success than has often attended sim
liar efforts in anything like comparable
circumstances Nor would his career be
anonymously concluded with his retire
ment even under certain cOmpulsion.
He would resign office exactly as he as
Sumed and 50 long held it. for his coun-
try'S good. He would not resign until
he was convinced that it would he the
part Of patriotism for him To do 50 /: but
as soon as he was convinced that the
welfare Of Mexico required ii he would
prepare 10 take that step. If he does
resign the world will honor him for the
sacrifice. As for Mexico, for whose sake
he Will have made il. she can hest show
her gratitude by proving that it has not
been in vain but that because If il peace
and unity will he restored and. above
ali. that under Diaz she has learned the
lessons Of orderly government 50 We'll
that without him she can hold herself
steadfaSt in the paths i'm which he has
So probably led her
ENIT RiCETRfCK GAMBLING.