Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1915-07-03
SATURDAY JULY 3, 1919.
THE PASSING OF PORFIRIo DIAZ.

To few men has been given the meas
IRE of greatness that was the portion
If Porfirio Diaz. who died in Paris
yesterday, an exile from his native
iand-the land III which that great
ness was achieved. III comparisons are
permissible at such a moment, however.
it is possible that many students of
history would differ from General
Huerta in his estimate of the real great
ness of Diaz when he pronounces Dlaz
the greatest man Mexico even pro-
auced.
Mexico's history has been a sorrow
full record Of internal wars, of tur-
bulence, of political crimes. The causes
have been the same as those which lie
at bottom Of all such events IN all
lands-human ambition and oppreS-
sion, on one hand, and rebellion against
he ambitious and the oppressor, on
he other hand.
The rule of Porfirio Diaz stands out
conspicuous on the pages of Mexican
history, because through his rule, his
country was AT peace for a far great
er number Of consecutive years, thar
at any other period of its history, since
Mexico threw off yoke of Spain. But
greatness is measured by results. AS
results 60, il is beyond doubt true that
the patriot priest llldalgo, and that
other p~riestly leader. MorcloS. his sue
cessor as the leader OF his people in
their first struggle for independence,
were far greater men than DlaZ. And
JuareZ, the distinguished statesman and
warrior, who gave to his country the
Reform Laws. is another whose claim
to fame as MeXico's greatest man may
outclass that of Diaz. For Hidalgo, Mo-
reloS and JuareZ were patriots who
stood unselfishly for the good Of their
people, and for Mexican independence.
They died poor, but their memory is
encircled with the richest Jewels of
fame in the hearts of their countrymen.
Yet. the rule of Porfirio Diaz did
more TO establish Mexico as a nation
among nations. He overturned the
constitution TO make himself president,
and afterwards had the constitution
altered 10 give the complexion of le-
gality to his continued incumbency in
office. This was the act Of an ambi-
tlous man, of course. But, as his rule
gave peace and prosperity to his coun-
Try, SO long racked with war, his am
bition may perhaps be pardoned him.
His rule was an autocratic rulc-a die
tatorshlp, III other words-thOugh he
gave il the semblance of constitu-
tionality by holding elections $50
called at the intervals required by
law-electionS which unanimously re-
tanned him in the presidency for thirty
years. He stands on the pages of his
tory as an usurper. His invasion of his
own country at the head of "A revolu-
ton, planned and financed in the city
of Brownsville, In 1850. was an act
which would have cost him his life. had
he been defeated and captured. Its sue
cess made him ruler of his country.
and made him a man of undying re-
nown.
That he was a successful general
cannot be denied. That he was a great
statesman is beyond doubt. lie stabi-
lized his country, and made the name
of Mexico respected among the ma
tions of the earth. Under him. his coun-
try made vast strides in industrial deve-
lopment. Railroads were built which re-
volutionized conditions throughout a
large part of the country. Schools were
established, mines We're worked. vari-
Gus industries built up. Mexico truly
made the most remarkable progress of
Us entire history up to the present day,
under the powerful rule of Diaz. A
country that had hardly known two
wears Of continuous peace since shak-
ing off the rule of Spain. it enjoyed