Diaz
de'as, Porfirio, president of the Republic of Mexico. He was born at Oaxaca (wa-ha'ka) of an Indian mother, September 15, 1830. He is twenty-seven years to a day older than President Taft. He was educated in a local "college," and was a student of law when the Mexican War came on. He has been practically the government of Mexico since 1876. He has given the Mexicans freedom from revolution, security of life and property, and has encouraged the investment of American money in Mexican projects. He is a type of a "beneficent" one-man power. As he is still living, the following outline will serve a temporary purpose. It may be noted that Diaz was a man of action:
1830--Born in Oaxaca, the son of an Indian mother.
1846--Enlisted in the war against the United States.
1854--Took part in the revolt against Santa Anna.
1858--Supported Juarez in war of reform.
1859--Opposed the French in the war of intervention.
1863--Was captured by the French but escaped.
1867--Forced Maximilian to surrender City of Mexico.
1867--Was candidate for president, but defeated by Juarez.
1871--Was proscribed by Lerdo, the successor of Juarez.
1876--Repudiated Lerdo and led revolution to victory.
1876--Was made provisional president in November.
1877--Regularly elected president for three-year term.
1880--Secured election of Gonzales as his successor.
1880-84--Served in cabinet as senator and governor of Oaxaca.
1884--Again elected president and re-elected regularly ever since.
1846--Enlisted in the war against the United States.
1854--Took part in the revolt against Santa Anna.
1858--Supported Juarez in war of reform.
1859--Opposed the French in the war of intervention.
1863--Was captured by the French but escaped.
1867--Forced Maximilian to surrender City of Mexico.
1867--Was candidate for president, but defeated by Juarez.
1871--Was proscribed by Lerdo, the successor of Juarez.
1876--Repudiated Lerdo and led revolution to victory.
1876--Was made provisional president in November.
1877--Regularly elected president for three-year term.
1880--Secured election of Gonzales as his successor.
1880-84--Served in cabinet as senator and governor of Oaxaca.
1884--Again elected president and re-elected regularly ever since.
Volume II · Aiton’s Encyclopedia