Diaz was a military man, and a representative of the popular element. His victories during the war of intervention, his patriotism and honesty of purpose, had made him the favorite of the men who took a more or less active part in the war against the French.[1] Juarez' opponents used their best endeavors to secure the election of Diaz. [2]
Lerdo was acknowledged to be a man of great ability; still, he owed much of his reputation to the name he bore, made popular by his brother Miguel Lerdo, the author of the famous decrees on the property of the clergy, and whose memory was held dear by all liberals. Sebastian Lerdo had won to his support a portion of the official element, by aiding with the whole power of the national administration the choice of certain governors, etc. He had taken advantage of the confidence Juarez had reposed in him, and of the ample powers he had given him, to fill the chief offices of the national and state governments with men friendly to himself, and who must have been antagonistic to Juarez' candidacy.[3] His supporters were the least numerous, however, and represented no party with a decided political color. For there were among them some well-known liberals; others with conservative proclivities; and not a few were supposed
- ↑ They formed a party of action, whose ranks had been greatly swelled with men discontented with the government on account of Lerdo's policy. Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 28–9; El Mensajero, Jan.-July 1871.
- ↑ Juarez having been taken ill in Oct. 1870, so that his life was despaired of, his friends were disposed to support Diaz; but he recovered and no arrangement was made. Marquez de Leon asserts that he worked for Diaz in Sinaloa and elsewhere, and that through the imprudence of Benitez, Diaz' chief supporter, some of his most prominent political friends — Vallarta, Ogazon, Montes, Leon Guzman, Zamacona, and others — became alienated. This result was also brought about by squabbles between Lerdo and others, of which Juarez took advantage to win them over to his side. Mem. Póst., MS., 73, 337-47; Méx., Diario Ofic., Feb. 19, 20, 1871; El Monitor Rep., Jan. 6, 1871.
- ↑ Even those who were opposed to Juarez' reëlection looked with displeasure on Lerdo's crooked conduct. He was also accused of unconstitutional acts. Riva Palacio, Adm. Lerdo, 29–39, 41-2; El Monitor Rep., Nov. 26, 23, Dec. 9, 28, 1870, Feb. 9, March 21, 1871.
idea that it was his duty not to leave unfinished the task of reconstruction and reform. Rivera, Gob. de Méx., ii. 683-4; La Paz, Jan.-June 1871.
