The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-10-30

Out of Office by Madero Revolution
In 1911
General Porfirio Diaz was the leading
figure in Mexican life and history in
the closing quarter of the nineteenth
century and the first decade of the
twentieth He was more than a Mex
lean figure; his fame was internation-
al. Even in quarters in which his die
tatorship of nominal republic was
disapproved his forcefu qualities com
manded general attention and admira.
ton.
After a stormy career In the army
and politics in the chaotic conditions
In Mexico in the middle of the nine
teenth century Portirio Diaz, man
OF mixed Spanish and Indian descent,
became president of Mexico in 1876.
With the exception of the four years
between 1880 and 1884 and In defiance
Of the provision of the Mexican cousti-
tuition which fOrbids the reelection of
a president he ruled the country con-
tinuously until 1911. Then he was
driven from power by the Madero rev.
olution and sought refuge in France.
The time since June, 1911, until the
present has been spent by Diaz in Eu-
rope and Egypt
Diaz developed a sound mind in a
vigorous, healthy body and even in old
age was a strong and remarkably well
preserved man. At the age of seventy
he visited the gymnasium Of the Ma
tional Military academy at Chapute-
pee one day, and, after watching the
work Of the cadets for some time with
keen interest. he swung on to rope
and climbed thirty feet or more hand
over hand as spryly as any Of them.
Sliding down easily. he said, Now,
boys, see to 1t that you so live that
when you are my age you can do as
well" He exercised daily, taking a
morning horseback ride and a walk
later in the day. He loved horses and
was a splendid horseman, He was fond
of hunting and other sports
Diaz's Stormy Earlier Career.
Diaz was patriotic enough TO be
born on the anniversary of Mexican in
dependence. namely, on Sept 10. 1880
His father was a Spaniard. but on his
mothers side there is a drop of Indian
blood. His mother intended to educate
him for priest. but to her great grief
he chose rather the law. This estranged
his parents 50 he wns obliged to earn
his own education
At seventeen he enlisted for the war
against the United States, but he was
obliged, to his disgust. to serve as a
home guard Better than moth
lngs." was the contemptuous name Civ
en- to these miitiamen by the Mexican
peasants.
His first taste of real warfare was
when he enlisted under the banner OF
Herrera against the usurper santa
Ana. He was the only student in his
school who had the courage to take
sides against the dictator then in pow
er. The revolution was won, and Dtaz
was rewarded with the mayoralty OF
the town of lxtlun. There, by his own
unaided efforts. he organized the hair
naked Indian boys into body OF ef-
fective militia These soldiers Diaz
soon had occasion to use in his native
town of Oaxaca, where an adventurer
named Garcia started a rebellion. Dlaz
marched his Indian ragamutfins to
Oaxaca and frightened Garcia into be-
ing good. Garcia broke faith, and then
Diaz captured the town. For this sorv-
ice the president offered him mon
ey reward. which the young patriot
declined
He also refused to accept law de,
gree rendered TO him by Juarez, the
conuueror of Emperor Macmillan. pre-
ferring to earn the honor by spending
two more years In study
Then during Tejada's administration
followed Diaz's own fight Tor power
which. after several early discourage
ments, was crowned with complete sue
cess
President Diaz Closely Guarded.
Throughout his long rule In Mexico
President Diaz took few chances with
assassins. despite his personal bravery
"The shooting of our American pres
dents." said an American traveller re
turned from Mexico, would not have
been possible in Mexico. country
where attempted assassination is one
of the expected incidents of govern
ment President Disz never takes 6
walk on the street or in any public
place without secret service mer
watching over him. Nobody with his
hand wrapped up or with his hand II
his pocket could approach him wtthou
being stopped. One morning a lam'
man carrying a heavy cane was pass
ing him on the street detective
brushed against the man as II by acct
dent and knocked the cane out or hi
hand He picked it up and returned
ii to the man with prosuse apologies
but while he had the cane In his hand
he gave the head turn and pull Il
satisfy himself that ii was not swort
cane. Another time an old woman car
rying a basket on her arm was stop
ped because her hand was conceaIet
in the basket The detective llftet
her hand out Of the basket and. SEEM
thnt it held no weapon. apologised TO
the liberty
Every mans credit is good when