Cañon City record., 1911-06-01


sbuit through the strange irony of fate.
scolors ,he close Of 80 years Of virtual
sevreignity with the same blood red
,tInts thai marked his asesnsiongIo the
throne Of Mexiac in 1877, wker as a
pspuIar idol, cI0ihed .wI.h the rom
anee of.brave deeds and bearing the
standard of political purity, he march
ed into .ls.s same tewn where he now
lies. burds ned with years. beset with
PAIN and surrounded by enemies. at
rthe headsef- IL. coo yelling poems. and
toor possession Of tie palace vacated
by President Lerdo. whom ne chan ed
with prae1 cally the same misdeeds
thai havesheen his own un6oing.
The son. .of a paor inn keeper of
oaxs-a. an orphan IN 1sS. wken
scarce three years al age. he rose sy
leaps and siounds. through all tbe
various gra6ations OF clerical stH-
dent. lawyer. soldier. general states
man and president, dragging down
troddeu Mexico in his ~yake till. at last
he MADE hims.if one af the greatest
figures in modern times and MS ma
ton one of ue leading republics in
the world.
re s.ndied lpr the clergy until a
stirring presidential call eer all Mex
leo ahre against en- invasion by she
United Szs.es. Young DiaL his ns-y
nature gown weary of restraint.
flung down ais hooks and craeifix ami
walked over 253 miles to soin tins
Mexican forces ths1, were msssing on
tthe border against the Americans.
After the close of.tGs Mexican invas-
9pn he returnsd once more TO his ma
tire village. oLiy to -tnd that th4s ac-
ssea. had forever cat.him on from the
pr.es,hood. and that NE must n<eds
nnd some other vocation. He. hrw-
ever. was weicoased With open arms
by s little coterie of students headed
by iBenito Juarez an iiiHstrious In
dian lawyer. who pss then governor
OF thesstate OF oaxsra-
His trst chance OF distisetion came
in 1854. when he josned revolution
against the tyrannies of President
Santa AEa. Santa Ana attempted TO
quell the disturbance by calling a
general election and iorcins his re-
election ~ a show OF force After
his military were drawn up In square.
llis ENJOYS let II be known that all
-ho failed ~ vote for him would be
imDrisoned. lDiaz sought the yciing
boo'h. but. VIXEN pressed 10 cast his
balist. eraved leave 10 remain neal
tral. Taunts 0f cowardice we're fiuag
at him by Santa Ana's officers and at
last wrought to . white heat pitch of
passion. and surrolnded on every side
by his enemies. b. strobe boldly to
the ballot box and cast bis lot with
the fcbeLs. Instantly confusion
r.igned Santa Ana's soldiers sought
90 fay hands upon him. He retreated.
drew his sword. seized a horse. and
amid a hail ef bullets. rode at full
gallop through the federal forces to
the rebel camp Ia the hills. where. in
the absence OF his chief, he assumed
command and successfully routed
those who pursued 20 make ham cap
tive
From this time on. Diaz's career
was one continual round OF adventure.
Santa Ana was defeated and driven
out of Mexico. The rebel chief sue
eeded him. Juarez was appointed
OF justice. Diaz captain of
the national guard. The new admin
sought to stamp out the rule
Of priest and pulpit, that had yearly
yoked Mexico to poverty by his de-
mands upon the people The church
melted rebellion. War ragged |
throughout Mexico; n war in which |
priests appeared before charging
troops war In which the curse OF |
the church was Numbered from thou