frame but well built, modest and unassuming in manner, thoroughly republican in politics, a great worker, and in argument clear, deliberate, and logical.
I have said that his measures were ofttimes dark; but a little light broke in on his present policy when he issued orders for the election of a president. By retaining the old ministers he might so inspire confidence as to secure the union of the former men of Juarez with his own, and so make certain his position. Hence on the 27th of July he published a decree, assigning the 13th and 27th of October following as the two election days. Still further to restore public confidence, he proclaimed at the same time an amnesty, extending it to all political offenders; and on the 2d of August issued decrees relieving the states of Puebla, Zacatecas, and Hidalgo from martial law, to which they had been subject, the release being extended at later dates to all the states of the republic.[1] By this measure such constitutional governors and officers as had lost their positions during the administration of Juarez, in consequence of the revolution, were restored to office. These liberal measures gave great satisfaction to the public, and the offer was quickly accepted by most of the insurgent leaders,[2] who hastened to tender their submission to the governors of the states, under the shield of the amnesty.[3]
- ↑ Copies of decrees in El Monitor Rep., Aug. 3, 8, 1872, and Sept. 18, 1872.
- ↑ A list of ten revolutionary leaders who availed themselves of the amnesty is given in Id., 7th Aug., 1872. Among them was Negrete, who retired to private life, having issued a proclamation expressing his confidence in Lerdo.
- ↑ In one instance only does it appear that the amnesty was not properly observed. Jimenez, the leader of the revolution in Guerrero, presented himself to the governor of that state, relying upon the promises of the president. El Monitor, Oct. 1, 10, 1872. The governor, Gen. Arce, however, imprisoned him on the plea that all the insurgent arms had not been delivered up, and arbitrarily fixed the number in excess. The friends of Jimenez in the capital represented the case to Lerdo, who, day after day, promised to order the release of Jimenez. He failed to do so, however, and Jimenez, after a month's imprisonment, was liberated by Arce and Figueroa, the commander of the forces in Guerrero. The enemies of Lerdo charge him with intentional neglect. Riva Palacio, Hist. Admin. Lerdo, 69-71. Figueroa deemed the small delivery of arms an indication that Jimenez' submission was simulated. El Federal, Oct. 24, 1872.
