Diaz, Porfirio

the greatest of Mexican generals and statesmen, was born at Oaxaca, Mexico, 1830, and received a cla ical education at the Oaxaca Institute. He entered upon a study of the law, but when the war with the United States broke out (1846) he joined the Nation a i Guard and served throughout the struggle. On Santa Anna’s acce ion to the dictatorship Diaz left the army and took up the practice of law, which he continued until the revolution against the French (1854), when he returned to the army but was soon made a prisoner. Making his escape, he headed a body of troops that hara ed Maximilian’s forces until he was a second time taken prisoner (at Oaxaca, 1865) by the French. A second time he contrived to escape, and with 5,000 men besieged and captured Pueblo 1867, and then marched on Mexico, which surrendered to him June 21 following. When the French were forced to withdraw from Mexico, at the demands of the United States, and Maximilian was executed, Diaz was an unsucce ful candidate for the Presidency. In 1872, and again in 1876, he headed revolts against the government, and after much severe fighting occupied the capital. In 1877 he was chosen President of the Republic to fill the unexpired term of Lerdo, who was a fugitive. In 1884 Diaz was again elected President, and the law prohibiting a re-election being repealed, he has succeeded himself at every election since, his last term expiring 1904. To Diaz Mexico is indebted for her rise, progre and standing as a nation. He has made property secure by preserving a stable government,and deserves the confidence of his people.