Chapter IX: The Centennial

After Mexico had thrown aside her burden of oppression, and had risen to the dignity of a well-governed nation, the powers of the world regarded her not without astonishment. After a half century of hardships came years of reconstruction and pacification. The greater difficulty of gaining faith in themselves was surmounted by men who in their generalship gave the Mexicans that which they required more--a knowledge that they had a place in the world of great republics; and events of the past hundred years have demonstrated it.

In the earlier days, after the reign of the viceroys was over, the Mexicans had to fight for their rights, which were overrun by highwaymen and guerrilla bands, and until a man could be found who would have the strength to cope with this situation there was no safety for life or property. With the advent of General Diaz all this changed. Mexico proudly stands before the world as one of the best regulated governments.

The industrial and agricultural development of the country began with Juarez. But during the periods of foreign intervention the Mexicans had little heart for anything more than protecting their rights, for they had to make a noble stand, and the rich mines that had yielded without ceasing so many years were left unworked; the broad, sun-kissed acres, which for centuries had furnished golden grain were neglected; the miner’s pick and the farmer’s plow lay rusting while the sword dripped with the blood of battle. This fairest country on the globe, despoiled by human greed for gold, has at last risen into proud prominence and when General Diaz assumed the Presidency, Mexico began to see the dawn of a great light. She needs no poet to sing her praises, she is her own colossal and imperishable monument, the base of which is planted on centuries gone by and the summit of which will raise its head in the enduring future.

Mexico is free--free to enjoy without stint the fruits of the bounty she was forced to get through sacrifice, and having shed upon her dear soil the red blood that surged in the patriot’s heart, the rulers of this great nation have by their sound judgment placed her foremost in the ranks of the world. During the reign of the viceroys when Spain was disporting herself in the garb of her riches, gained from her golden possessions in America, the Mexicans began to show signs of discontent, and occasional uprisings gave these petty kings a great deal of misgiving and concern. Foreigners were not permitted to enter the country, the Church had the monopoly of education, only Spaniards could hold lands and influential government offices and those great patriots who did all in their power to uplift their country and protect their people are revered by the Mexicans with a love that is almost divine.

It was during the reign of Francisco Javier Venegas (1810 to 1816) that the revolutionary period began, and from that time the power of Spain declined. Before long the country was in the throes of war which Spanish troops could not quell. A great man appeared from the mountains. He was a lowly priest, living in obscurity ministering to the wants of his little band of Indian Christians. His followers knew him to represent God and His teachings and his influence among them was very great. He implanted in the minds of the simple people that Mexico must be free to worship, free to govern. Foreign wars and civil dissension followed the first and noble stand of this patriot. The Indians were incited by him to open rebellion and in the midst of excitement a great bell hanging in one of the church towers was rung proclaiming liberty or death. The deep, mellow tones from this old cathedral inspired every Mexican with the desire for a liberty that meant more than a proclamation, and for many years there was a bitter war in which advanced to the front many brave men whose names are graven in the history of Mexico’s great deeds--Allende, Aldama, Jimenez, Guerrero all seemed alive to the needs of their beloved country. They cast their whole souls into the cause for freedom and gave their precious lives to Mexico. This war was not without its romances as well as its tragedies.

Like the stories of the Roman warriors, like the Judas who betrayed his Christ, Hidalgo was given into the hands of the enemy by a friend, a Spaniard named Mariano Galvan, on whose head many times had rested the hands of the patriot priest in blessing.

José Maria Morelos y Pavon, a Mestizo Indian, also a Catholic priest, called a congress in 1813, and in November declared Mexico independent. He was a most intrepid fighter and was known as a “Hero of a Hundred Battles.”

The centennial festivities were as much in honor of the heroes of the wars as of the growth and progress of the country. The year 1910, celebrated the first century of Mexico’s political emancipation. She followed the natural outburst of her pride in the realization of her wonderful growth during the past century. For she knows that no country has been beset with more unfortunate events that tended to retard rather than promote her advancement, and when she lifted her proud head in her own triumphant recognition she invited the world to come and see the results of her century of golden harvest.

Invitations were sent by the president to every foreign monarch and ruler, who, excepting the King of England, whose mourning for the late King, Albert Edward, prevented, sent special ambassadors to be the guests of Mexico for the month of September. So magnificent were the entertainments given, so great was the display of wealth and refinement that those who had scant knowledge of what Mexico really is, returned to their homes much enlightened. Mexico has long been looked upon as a faraway land of mystery, with nothing to offer beyond relics and romances; but here they found science, art, advancement, men and women who could hold their own in the world of brilliancy--here they found a warm hospitality, and gathered together in this great capital, like a big happy family, they grew to know each other like brothers. Thus did Mexico, in bringing together so many representatives of foreign lands, create good feeling that will spread in many directions.

A tribute should be paid to Mayor Fernando Pimentel y Fagoago the president of the National Commission, Governor de Landa y Escandon, and the other members who planned this wonderful entertainment, which will go down in history as one of the greatest jubilees that ever took place. Thirty days of hospitality to the world! It was an unheard of generosity and those foreign envoys who carried back reports of it to their monarchs must have been very much impressed with it all. The guests of the nation were treated with every consideration and courtesy and their wants attended to with remarkable forethought. They were met at the borders and ports and escorted with all honor to Mexico by a selected body of society’s most brilliant men and the stations along the line of travel were festooned with the national colors. Each city sent delegates to meet the trains and speed them on their way to the capital. It was like a scene of grandeur of the days when kings went visiting, and not one representative of his ruler went from Mexico without knowing the full measure of the manner of Mexico’s whole-souled hospitality. At the capital, a protocol of ladies and gentlemen, met the special trains bearing the foreign delegates and conveyed them in all honor to their abodes, which were luxuriously furnished, some of them being homes of citizens and officials. Fresh flowers were sent each day, automobiles, carriages and servants were furnished and everything the heart could desire was at the disposal of these visitors during the Centennial. President Taft sent a special commission. The distinguished gentlemen were selected for their fitness to represent the United States. They were Special Ambassador Honorable Curtis Guild; Congressman David J. Foster; Senator Overman; Senator Coe I. Crawford; Congressman James R. Slayden; Representative George W. Fairchild; Justice James E. Girard; General Harrison Gray Otis; and Colonel Rook. These gentlemen occupied the Cobian Palace, one of the most magnificent mansions in the capital city.

The other Envoys were the Marquis de Polavieja, Special Ambassador of Spain; Monsieur Paul Lefaivre and Admiral de la Croix de Castries, Special Ambassadors of France; Marquis di Bugano, of Italy; Special Envoy Carl Buenz, of Germany; Chinese Ambassador, Chang Yin Tang; Japanese Ambassador, Baron Uchida; Special Ambassadors from Chili, Honorable Carlos Subercaezeaux and General Juan de Dios Vial Guzman; Special Minister from Brazil, Don Antonio do Fontaura Xavier; Special Minister from Costa Rica, Honorable Joaquin Calvo; Special Portuguese Ambassador, Visconte de Alte; Peruvian Special Ambassador, Señor Fedrico Alfonse Pezet; Special Envoy from Holland, Jankherr J. Loudon; Colombian Minister, Señor C. de Corrodor Latorre; Cuban Special Envoy, Honorable Loinaz del Castillo; Guatemalan Minister, Dr. Juan Ortega; Salvadorian Minister, Señor Don José Antonio Rodriguez; Honduran Envoy, Señor Don Salvador Cordóva; Bolivian Minister, Señor Don Santiago Arguello; Austro-Hungarian Minister, Count Maximilian Hadik; Russian Envoy, Honorable Andre Stalewski; Belgian Envoy, Monsieur George Allart; Norwegian Envoy, Honorable Michael Lio; Ecuadorian Special Envoy, Señor Don Leopoldo Pino; Swiss Envoy, Mr. Enrique Perret; Venezuelan Delegate, Señor Don Eduardo Urdaneta; Argentine Special Envoys, Señor Don Jacinto Garcia and General Enrique Fleiss, Commander of the Warship _Presidente Sarmiento_; the resident Spanish Minister, Señor Bernardo J. Cologan y Cologan represented Greece.

One of the first ceremonies was the opening of the lunatic asylum at Mixcoac, one of the most splendid modern edifices erected in Mexico. The president, bearing his eighty years with all the strength and vigor of a man of forty, conducted the formalities with great dignity and poise. Surrounded by representative men of all the world, he stood out among them a figure never to be forgotten.

All public buildings finished or nearing completion were formally dedicated during this eventful month, each cabinet minister and official taking an important part in the ceremonies. Speeches that glided from the lips of orators from every clime seemed to mingle with the golden atmosphere, carrying with them a spirit of good feeling. The first ten days of the Centennial were devoted to receiving the credentials of the foreign delegates, and impressive official ceremonies appropriate to the occasion, but from the first day of the month the president and his colleagues went through the ceremonies of dedication, laying corner stones and opening schools and various enterprises. The new Federal Legislative palace, which is one of the most magnificent structures in America, was dedicated in the presence of many foreign diplomats.

A flag parade of school children dressed in clothes made by the society women of Mexico was one of the most interesting processions, because of the youth of the participants. Notable among the events of the Centennial was the opening of the University of Mexico in the presence of General Diaz and other high officials and distinguished foreign educators. In an unostentatious way the ceremonies began with strains of the national anthem resounding throughout the large amphitheatre of the National Preparatory School. Special delegates of foreign universities with the caps and gowns of their respective institutions of learning were present, among them, Dr. James Baldwin, representative of Oxford University; Licenciado Manuel Garcia Alvarez, a delegate from the University of Oviedo, Spain; Doctors Lendian and Dehigo y Mestre, of the University of Havana; Professor Ernest Martinenche of the University of Paris, founded in 1810; Dr. Benjamin Ide Wheeler, President of the University of California, one of the best educators of the United States; the American Commission and ambassadors from other countries.

Before a brilliant assemblage of men and women the Minister of Education and Belles Artes, Señor Don Justo Sierra, read a splendid paper treating of the subject of education of the youth of Mexico, who must be fitted to receive the reins of the government, which sooner or later must fall to them. It was a splendid oration, and was followed by a response from the President who in a few dignified words of encouragement and praise pronounced the University of Mexico a thing of reality, to endure forever. Other addresses followed and the dedication of the University of Mexico passed into the annals of history.

The National School of Agriculture was opened and was one of the most interesting of the ceremonies of the Centennial, being of importance for the advancement and development of agricultural resources. An exhibition of live stock in connection with this showed fine breeds of cattle and horses from all parts of the republic.

A congress of education in the School of Arts and Crafts for men held its session with important delegates from all the States of Mexico. The new Normal Schools for men and for women, and some high schools were opened and the new seismological station was dedicated during the earlier days of the celebration. Following the dedication of monuments of industry and statues, came fiestas of every kind, in which Mexican women in all their splendor of jewels and toilettes did their part in showing the world something of the magnificence of their entertainments.

One of the beautiful tributes paid to President and Mrs. Diaz during the festivities was a musicale given at the Castle of Chapultepec by La Estudiantina musical club of young people.

Public and private balls, free theatres and bull-fights for the people, fire-works, electrical displays and parades of every kind were the order of this month of continued festivity.

President and Mrs. Diaz extended magnificent hospitality to the visiting ambassadors and their families, the diplomatic corps and officials, with a banquet at the National Palace. It was a brilliant function. The distinguished guests were received in the red hall. This is the historical room of the Palace, filled with old paintings of the battlefields and portraits of Mexican heroes. After the banquet the guests attended a gala opera performance in honor of the President.

The national commission to entertain the visitors to the capital left nothing undone to make the people enjoy the great event, from the humblest of Indian peons to the representatives of the mightiest monarch. Thousands of working men were given employment during the preparations for the Centennial, and in addition to the payment given them, each man was presented with a fitting suit of clothes for the occasion. It would not be unusual, if the poorer classes were neglected during festivities of this kind, to have some discord among them. With a forethought, born of a natural tact, all this was regulated and the poor were furnished with entertainments with such wisdom that there was not a ripple of discontent during the great parades.

Mexicans regard the national events of the past with great reverence and love and they enter into the spirit of hero worship whole-souled. They do not forget the trials and sacrifices of years; they won their right to be free and fought for their country, and having conquered their enemy, they can afford to be magnanimous. This was demonstrated by the kindly reception given the venerable Marquis de Polavieja, the special ambassador from the Court of Spain, who was received with great honors and given the greatest ovation ever accorded a foreign visitor, on his arrival at the port of Vera Cruz, where three hundred years ago, the envoys of the Spanish Crown came to wrest from the people their possessions and native land. All this has been forgotten and Spain with her great respect to the Mexican government sent her most distinguished noble to represent her. With him came a suite of royal personages bearing costly gifts and messages of goodwill from their sovereign. The uniform and portrait of José Maria Morelos, the intrepid hero of one hundred years ago, which was taken to Spain after the execution of the patriot, was returned to Mexico with all due solemnity and reverence and the Mexicans have a kindly appreciation of this delicate tribute.

Drawn through the streets upon a gun-wagon draped with the flag of the nation, for which the patriot died, in a glass covered case, so arranged that thousands could view it, the faded and blood stained uniform was borne amid muffled drums and strains of martial music to the National Palace, where the President of Mexico was waiting with his Cabinet and a large assemblage of distinguished people to receive the precious relic. It was a most impressive sight and brought tears to the eyes of the multitude that stood on the streets, with hats in hand, to see men of military distinction and high official life walking with slow step before the carriage that conveyed the sacred relic. Old warriors who had given their youth to the service of their country, men in the prime of life who were serving their country to the best of their ability, and youths full of the inspiration of patriotism, walked side by side with bared heads, while the soldiers and marines kept step with the solemn music.

This gift from a friendly country has cemented the cordial relations between Mexico and Spain.

In the Hall of Ambassadors, the splendid representative of Spain made the presentation in these few well chosen words:

“Mr. President--In the name of my august sovereign I have the high honor of delivering into the hands of your Excellency, that it may remain on Mexican territory, the portrait, the uniform, and other objects which were the property of General José Maria Morelos y Pavon, which, as belonging to a great general and citizen, my country kept with great care for a long time, guarding them jealously in its museum of artillery.

“His Majesty, King Alfonso XIII., wishes that your Excellency may see in this act, and with you all the noble Mexican people the most complete expression of the sincere satisfaction with which he and the Mother Spain associate themselves with your centenary of independence. You are to be praised for the greatness of your progress, and the rapid strides Mexico has made toward internal and international peace.

“To-day for this reason, the Mexican republic merits and possesses the respect, the esteem and the regard of all people. In her there shone, in past times, all the glories of the art of war, and now all the arts of peace, which have had brilliant development and expansion.

“May God continue to dispense to her his favors.

“These are the wishes of my King and the Mother Spain, proud of her daughter, whom she embraces, on this momentous occasion, with all the affection of her soul and with all the memories of her great labor as the discoverer, explorer and colonizer of the Americas.”

The President with much feeling thanked the monarch of Spain in the name of his people and expressed appreciation for the relic so highly prized.

At the conclusion of the ceremony the audience of brilliant men and women gave many “_vivas_” for the respective rulers and also for the venerable Marquis who had the honor of presenting the gift. The Grand collar of the Order of Carlos III. was conferred on General Diaz at another ceremony and a painting of Alfonso of Spain was unveiled.

A marble tablet erected on the front of the Artillery Arsenal in the Cuidadela in memory of the imprisonment of the patriot, José Maria Morelos, was unveiled by the Governor of the Federal District, Señor Don Guillermo de Landa y Escandon. Little children from the schools, dressed in white, assisted the Governor in this ceremony by singing the national anthem. The oration of the day was delivered by a noted attorney, Licenciado Isidro Fabela.

The unveiling of the Monument of Independence, with orations from many distinguished men, was one of the principal events of this month. This was built to commemorate the National Independence. It is an impressive looking column, some parts made in Mexican marble, surmounted with a bronze winged female figure. The plaster casts of the allegorical figures were made by native sculptors and sent to Italy, where the castings were made. The four figures on the lower pedestal represent Law, Progress, Resistance and Force.

From the base rises a column, surrounding which are figures of the Heroes of the Independence. The central figure is of Hidalgo, and standing on each side are figures of Morelos and Guerrero. From this pedestal rises the shaft ten feet in diameter and sixty-seven feet high. It is the work of Antonio Rivas Mercado and was completed in 1910.

One of the most significant ceremonies during this month was the unveiling of the statue of Benito Juarez, first president of the republic after the empire. Before a brilliant concourse of distinguished Mexicans and ambassadors, and the surviving members of the Juarez family, the president, with tears streaming, drew aside the canvas that hid the most fitting monument ever built in Mexico. It is of Doric style, constructed from Italian marble, severe and magnificent, typical of the character of this great man. It is the work of the sculptor Lazaroni, after the design of Heredia, and seems to represent the true character of Juarez, whose intense patriotism and upright principles immortalized him. The sculpture represents Juarez between two allegorical figures of Glory and Mexico--these figures are seven metres high and are most imposing. This monument is a recognition of the greatness of the reformer who did so much for Mexico in the closing years of his life.

Señor Ingeniero Ignacio de la Barre, in a well delivered address explained that the massive work of construction was completed in ten months, the workmen in a spirit of patriotism working day and night. On this occasion the American government presented an immense wreath of flowers which was borne to the foot of the statue on the strong shoulders of two most distinguished ambassadors, Honorable Curtis Guild and Honorable Henry Lane Wilson. This monument is most conspicuously placed in the Alameda, on the avenue which bears the name of the great patriot.

The site in Plaza Dinamarca upon which will stand the monument to Washington presented to Mexico by the resident citizens of the United States, was dedicated by General Diaz. The introductory address was made by Mr. C. R. Hudson and the oration delivered by Honorable Henry Lane Wilson, the resident American ambassador, was concluded in most brilliant language. This monument is now in construction, and is one of the many contributions in honor of the Centennial.

On September 14th, the statue of Baron Alexander Von Humboldt, the magnificent gift from the German Emperor to the republic was unveiled in the garden of the National Library. In the midst of glittering uniforms and decorations, with the German band discoursing strains of Tannhauser, the President and his suite arrived to hear the address of presentation by Ambassador Carl Buenz and his diplomatic staff. It was the most brilliantly garbed assemblage of people at any dedication during the celebration. The chief executive drew the cord which parted the curtains that hid the dignified statue of the man whose faith in Mexico had inspired his predictions of its great future. The marines and sailors of the man of war _Freya_ made a great impression by their splendid bearing. A chorus of male voices, hidden in the recesses of the building, rendered selections of classical music. The oration of the German ambassador was delivered in an eloquent style. He said:

“Mr. President:

“Ladies and Gentlemen:

“This day belongs to the fraternal feeling between Mexicans and Germans. We find ourselves to-day under the emblem: ‘The German Emperor to the Mexican Nation.’ These are the words written on the base where has been raised the monument which we are about to dedicate to the Mexican nation, as a permanent symbol of our friendship.

“Marble upon granite symbolizing the purity of our sentiments and the firmness of our friendship.

“His majesty, the Emperor, desiring of his own initiative to give to Mexico a visible and permanent sign of his sympathy, could find no better means to realize his intention effectively than by the erection, in the capital of the republic, of the statue of the great explorer of this country, Baron Alexander Humboldt.

“Over a century ago, a young German, animated by the enthusiasm of youth and the desire for scientific knowledge characteristic of our race, was inspired to explore the Latin lands across the seas.

“As a simple traveler, he will soon appear to our page as a hero of science penetrating the most recondite mysteries of the New World, despite innumerable dangers, cruel fatigues, almost insurmountable obstacles.

“The author of ‘Cosmos,’ his immortal work, belongs to the world, the illustrious man of science, to our nation, the author of Essay on New Spain, to Mexico.

“The European world heard with surprise the revelations of the beauty, the wealth, and the possibilities of a country in which he had become interested solely for its heroic history, for its past.

“With Alexander Humboldt, modern Mexico celebrated its apparition as an actual power, as a valiant member of the family of modern nations.

“The Mexican nation, always chivalrous, was quick to recognize the merits of the explorer of its territory and made him an honorary citizen. In this manner the son of Germany became the adopted child of the Mexican nation and Germany and Mexico became brother countries.

“It is for the fraternity thus effected that the German Emperor offers to the Mexican nation the statue of her native son, the adopted son of Mexico.

“And Mexico? What a marvel!

“Another Alexander Humboldt, native born of Mexico, came and by his intelligence, through his love for his country, the energy of his character and the weight of his hand when it became necessary, he formed a new Mexico, a state worthy of occupying a distinguished place in the community of civilized nations.

“It is for this reason, General, that to-day the representatives of civilized foreign nations participate in the celebration of the Centennial of the declaration of Mexico’s independence. It is for this reason that His August Majesty, the Emperor, has sent me to express to Your Excellency, in the presence of the representatives of his army and his navy, his sincere sympathy for Your Excellency, his cordial desires for your welfare and for the prosperity of the Mexican nation, and it is for this reason, as a permanent symbol of this goodwill and love, that His Majesty furthered the plan of erecting in this, the capital city of the republic, the monument we are about to unveil.

“The erection of the monument in front of the National Library is significant of the universality in which all the differences of races, all the evolutions are resolved; of the universality of science, of the harmony of ultimate ideas, of the chief ends of mankind. It is with this idea, Mr. President, that I to-day have the honor of delivering in the name of the Emperor, to Your Excellency as the representative of the nation, the statue of Alexander Humboldt, sole honorary citizen of this republic. That this monument be a ‘monumentum sere perennius’ of the friendship which happily binds our nations and our governments, a witness, dumb, but eloquent, of the continuous progress of this country towards the goal of its destinies.”

After a selection from Mendelssohn, the response for the president was delivered by the brilliant governor of the Federal District, Honorable Guillermo de Landa y Escandon. It was an entire day of festivity. Lunches and dinners were given at the German Club and theatrical performances in honor of the Germans in all parts of the city. The cadets and officers from the warship were given the freedom of the town.

Many other statues were dedicated and unveiled, among them monuments in honor of Garibaldi and Pasteur.

In the Monumental Tribune at Chapultepec the president and his cabinet, the foreign ambassadors and ladies and gentlemen of Mexican society witnessed the ceremony of the dedication of the ground for the statue of Queen Isabel, the Catholic, which was presented by the Spanish Colony.

All honor was paid to the cadets who fell in the battle of Molino del Rey, on whose monument were placed wreaths of flowers.

Not a day passed during this great Centennial without some wonderful form of entertainment. The Civic parade which took place September 14th, was one in which all classes of society participated. Over ten thousand people marched in this procession, amid waving banners. It was headed by all the officials of the government, and took in every labor organization and employees of the government. The president reviewed it from the balcony of the National Palace.

On September 15th, the most unique pageant known in history took place. It was the historical parade which comprised every character of Mexico’s history. It was a drama enacted before the president with the oldest site of Mexico City, the Plaza de la Constitucion, as its stage. The actors numbered over twelve thousand and many came from parts of the republic in which the event they were to depict was originally enacted. All the magnificence of the Emperor Montezuma as he went forth to greet Hernán Cortés was faithfully represented in costumes of their times and races. The following is a translation from the _Mexican Daily Record_, of the programme furnished by the members of the National Commission, to whom all honor should be given for this stupendous success:

APPROACH OF CORTÉS

The troops of Cortés, composed of four hundred Spaniards and seven thousand Indian allies, passed the night in the town of Amecameca, in the valley formed by the “Montaña que Numea,” (mountain that smokes), on the 5th of November, 1519. The following day they continued their journey toward the great Tenochtitlan, the proud Lady of the Lakes; passed by Tlalmanalco and held to stop in Aytezinge, a village near Chalce. On rising the next day to continue the journey, Cacama, the king of Tezcoco called the Spanish conqueror and presented him with rich gifts in the name of Montezuma.

The march continued, and on that day, November 6th, they arrived at Ixtapalapan where they were received by Cuitlahuac, brother of the emperor of Mexico, where they were comfortably lodged.

Very early on the 7th, the journey was resumed; it is said that Cortés appeared somewhat distrustful and for that reason he formed his troops in line of battle. The flags were unfurled and the drums made a tremendous noise to terrorize the Indians.

Great was the excitement in the hearts of the Spaniards at the sight of the panoramic view of the city, where numberless temples rose to view majestically over the crystal lakes. The exuberant vegetation and luxuriousness, the gifts or presents consisting of gold, precious stones, rich plumage, and so varied vegetable products, all must have caused a great impression on the minds of these men of insatiable thirst for adventure.

EMPEROR MEETS CORTÉS

Emperor Montezuma prepared himself to meet the conqueror. Two brothers accompanied the emperor and also the lords of Tezcoac, Ixtapalapan and Coyoacan, the king of Tlacopan, the treasurer of Montezuma, Tlacatecat, the captain general and other great personages.

Four of these men conducted the emperor in a luxurious palanquin, with shafts of polished gold and showy blankets, under a pallium or canopy of woven feathers. Preceding the monarch a group of ministers with gold rods in their hands marched heralding the approach of the emperor, and the party was completed by the members of the council, the priests, the captains in front of their warriors and their servants.

Cortés arrived preceded by a cavalry guard, he mounted his white horse, Molinere. The vanguard was composed of drummers and buglers and the companies of arcabuceros and ballesteros. At the rear was a platoon of Tlaxcalteca warriors, allies of the emperor. Cortés was surrounded by his captains, Pedro de Alvarado, Juan Velasquez de Leon, Gonzalo de Sandoval, Alonso de Avila, Francisco de Luga, Diego de Ordaz and the distinguished soldier, Bernal Diaz de Castillo.

When Montezuma and Cortés finally met, the former alighted from the palanquin and advanced to receive the latter upon several rugs which the servants placed upon the floor before the emperor so that he need not step upon the ground, all the great lords and members of the cortége remaining with their heads bowed, so as not to see the face of the monarch. Four great lords covered him with the pallium when he approached the conqueror.

GIFTS EXCHANGED

Cortés dismounted and advanced to greet Montezuma, making two bows or reverences. Montezuma responded by placing his hands near the ground and then to his lips. The conqueror intended to embrace the monarch, but the great lords advised him that the emperor was a divinity who could not be touched. He placed on the neck of Montezuma a collar of stones of marcasite glass in gold thread and scented with musk. Montezuma surrounded the neck of Cortés with a rich collar set with stones and a string of roses. He then ordered his party to offer his presents to Cortés and the latter received flowers and birds of beautiful plumage.

The priests passed swinging their censors and the procession continued in the aforesaid order.

ORGANIZATION OF PARADES

The first group, which consisted of eight hundred and thirty-nine persons, commenced its march from the Plaza de la Reforma, following up Avenidas Juarez and San Francisco. When they reached the corner of Empadredillo, Montezuma and his party passed in front of the portales, and Cortés and his party to the front of the Cathedral, in order that the meeting of the two would take place under the central balcony of the National Palace. The order of the procession was as follows:

MONTEZUMA’S GROUP

1. Nineteen Mexican warriors with banners.

2. Grand captain escorted by eight warriors with badge of noble distinction.

3. Fifty Mexican warriors.

4. Thirty-eight priests.

5. Lords of Tezcoco, Ixtapalapan, Coyoacan and Tlacopan accompanied by twenty Knights of the Sun.

6. Fifteen noblemen, or great lords.

7. Twenty Indian women escorted by six warriors with fixed banners and two Tiger Knights.

8. Servants carrying tapestries and rugs or blankets to place them on the ground when the emperor alights from his palanquin.

9. Ten ministers with gold rods in their hands.

10. Emperor Montezuma in his palanquin, conducted by four great lords. Another four noblemen carry large fans, fifty more great lords surround the emperor.

11. Group of warriors, priests, who escort the emperor.

12. The procession is closed by seventy-two Mexican warriors with their respective chiefs.

CORTÉS’S GROUP

1. A guard of six soldiers, carabiniers on horseback and twenty on foot.

2. Drummers and buglers.

3. Ballesteros.

4. Hernán Cortés, accompanied by Doña Marina (Malintzin) and his distinguished captains.

5. Priests and servants of Cortés.

6. Archers.

7. Tlaxcalteca warriors allied to Cortés, in the following order:

Advance guard of ten warriors.
Chiefs of the republic of Tlaxcala.
Standard bearers.
Eighty warriors with their respective commanders, or chiefs.

SECOND GROUP

The second group represents the epoch of Spanish dominion in Mexico, in the procession of the banner.

To commemorate the 13th day of August, the anniversary of the conquest, the procession used to be organized in the following order:

Preceded by the drummers, buglers and the several foot ushers, the cabalgada marched from the church of San Hipolito to the municipal palace, the procession being formed by the councilmen, the mayor, the first constable, one honorary colonel and lieutenant-colonel of Spanish infantry, the members of the council of his majesty, the members of the _audiencia_. In a prominent place was the alferez or chief ensign of the town. The rear of the group was a military force and the principal Indians of Santiago and Tlaltelolco, walking on foot with their typical square blankets, wide trousers, a cape and sandals. As a rule these Indians were the governor, the mayor, the judge and first constables of the aforesaid places. On reaching the municipal palace, the alferez real would take the banner which was placed upon a scarlet pillow under the main balcony, and before a notary he would pledge abject submission and return it to the place whence it came.

The procession again formed, the royal alferez proceeded on the march through the streets of Tlapalros, Refugio, Puente del Espiritu Santo, San Angel, San Augustin, Portacoeli and Flamences to the main entrance of the viceroy’s palace. The viceroy would come down and join the procession, surrounded by the high dignitaries of the palace, the alferez real to his left and to his right the oldest judge of the supreme court. The cavalcade would take the streets of El Reloj, Encarnacion, and Santo Domingo, to arrive at the platform erected in front of the palace, on which four maidens and four knights were waiting. Once on the tribune, the alferez would deliver to the viceroy the banner to be raised above his head. This ceremony was patronized by the provincials of Santo Domingo and San Francisco. When the ceremony ended, the viceroy entered the palace with his party and the alferez, with his party, returned to the ayuntamiento to leave there the banner, the whole procession then being dispersed.

This group consisted of two hundred and eighty-eight persons and marched in the order indicated. At the main balcony of the municipal palace the royal ensign was placed, which is of crimson damask with the royal emblem embroidered in gold, trimmed with a flounce of gold, cords and silk tassels. The royal emblem is surrounded by the following inscription:

“Non in multitudine Exercitus Consistit sed in Voluntate Dei.”

When the royal alferez returns to the municipal palace to deposit the banner he leaves it in the hall of sessions of the ayuntamiento.

Facing the National Palace, a platform with curtains was erected for the ceremony of raising the pennon or royal standard.

MODERN TIMES

The third group represented the era of independence and the present time, as follows:

1. Glorification of Generalisimo Miguel Hidalgo. Allegorical float of the Independence, offered by the government of the State of Hidalgo.

2. Float in honor of the insurgent Generalisimo José Maria Morelos y Pavon, by the government of the State of Michoacan.

3. Representation of the entry of the army of the Three Guarantees into the City of Mexico, under the command of Augustin de Iturbide, accompanied by Generals Vicente Guerrero, Manuel Mier y Teran, Guadalupe Victoria and Anastasio Bustamante, leading some sections of the regiments who formed the Trigarante Army, among others the following:

Imperial grenadiers. Regiment of the Crown. Regiments of Celaya, Tres Villas, Guadalajara, Light of Querétaro, Light of Morelos, Stationary of Puebla, Mexico and Valladolid. Regiments of Santo Domingo of Ferdinand VII. Dragoons of Mexico. Dragoons of the King. Dragoons of Santander. Faithful of the Potosi, Sierra Gorda and San Fernando. Regiments from Puebla and Mexico.

This being the eve of the great day of Independence, as well as the celebration of the eightieth birthday of General Diaz made it one of the most brilliant days of entertainment during the Centennial. Congratulations poured from all parts of the world to greet the Chief Executive on the occasion of his birthday and a galaxy of men and women at the National Palace furnished a scene never to be forgotten. True to the yearly custom of the past century, as the hour arrived when the ringing of the Bell of Liberty incited outbursts of enthusiasm, the masses gathered beneath the balcony of the National Palace, the president stepped out into the night and pronounced the Grito de Dolores, “Long live our most holy Mother of Guadalupe: Long live America, and death to bad government.” The peals of this great relic of the past sounded like the silvery voice of Hidalgo embalmed in metal.

On September 16th, the great review of the army of the republic took place. On this occasion the foreign delegates had the opportunity of viewing the army of Mexico in all its glory.

A splendid official reception given by Governor de Landa y Escandon in the new Municipal Palace brought together a concourse of distinguished men and women. This was one of the great social events.

One of the most magnificent spectacles that occurred during this gala Centennial was the ball given by President Diaz and Madame Carmen Romero de Diaz, the Diplomatic Corps and Mexican society. The large _patio_ of the National Palace was a fairyland with myriads of lights and flowers, and in no part of the world could there be a more wonderful display. It was an honor to the nation. Mexico may justly be proud of the display at this function, she may well be proud of her beautiful women who in their magnificent toilettes and jewels carried themselves with such dignity. A special ambassador of one of the Courts of Europe remarked that he had never seen among crowned heads a woman who bore her dignity with such grace and beauty as Madame Diaz. Over ten thousand guests assisted at this beautiful ball.

During the brilliancy of the _fiestas_, the nation’s dead heroes were not forgotten. The urns containing the remains and relics of Mexico’s patriots were transferred from the Cathedral to the National Palace, and a most touching apotheosis was held in their honor.