The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-09-16
A CHURCH FESTIVAL IN MEXICO.
CAMP BuENA VIsTA, Aug. IL, 1847.


Last Sunday was great church day, the
anniversary Of the TRANSPORTATION Of Christ,
and the solemn mass Of the Catholic Church
usual on the occasion was performed at Sal
tillo. The services took place in the "Chapel
of our Lord" which is in the Cathedral and
communicates with the Great Chapel. II
is fitted up with better regard for taste
than almost any that have seen, and its APP
pearance on Sunday morning was very fine.
II is quite spacious, and the roof is support
ed by eight pillars and arched.. The back
Of the chapel, or altar piece, is richly wrought
and heavily gilded, and ornamented with a
number Of carved figures representing saints
and apostles. 1t occupies the whole end of
the chapel, and was lighted to the very
ceiling with candles; in the centre, over
the altar in an alcove, is figure Of our Sa-
vour, the size Of life, upon richly ,nlaid
cross, and there are several other figures Of
the crucifxiop, aud one large wax figure Of
Christ in the tomb, in different parts Of the
church, The altar was -xquisi,ely decor
aled with artificial flowers and brilliantly
lighted, and the only thing about it in bad
taste was number Of cheaplooking glasses,
with very ordinary frames, worthy of the
bar-room OF county travern in New Eng
land. In different parts Of the church the
national colors were displayed, and where
ever candle could be put there was one
burning. To me the mos, attractive par, Of
the ceremony was the splendid martial
music, the effect Of which was extremely
fine, There wcrea number Of wind instru-
ments and bass and kettle drum, which,
combined with the organ, rendered the
martial airs which they played very effec-
tive. twas rather singular to hear marches
as part of church ceremony, but they
played them that day, and not only martial
airs, but at one time, as the priest was
about concluding one portion Of the ceremo-
ny and going out to deck himself in other
robes, the band struck up the "Cachua, !"
and executed il brilliantly, too. The church
was filled with men, woman and children,
coming and going all the time, and it was a
little odd TO strangers to see their move
ments. Many Of the females, as soon as
they had entered and covered themselves
with holy water, would plump down upon
their knees, and after telling some prayer
would work their way up as near to the
alter as possible on their knees, keeping, APP
parently, perfect time with the music
Usually there is great procession, am
told, in which never SO many virgins, in
spotless white garments, emblsmatic of pu-
rity, take part. Alas, poor Mexico the
garment is the only evidence Of the purity
Of her daughters in ninety cases out of a
hundred, SO terrible is the moral condition
Of the country. This is,no idle assertion,
but susceptible Of the cIearest proof. Per-
haps il is happy thing that the mass Of
the Mexican people pay such blind adora.
ton TO the priests and believe so implicitly
in their power of forgiveness for all often
ces. Your Mexican cut-,hroat will MUIR
der his victim, and walking into church q
few hours after, pop down on his knees
cross himself few times, mutter a few
prayers Of which he does not understand
the meaning, and come put with the priests
blessing and conscience as clear as wills.
lie, ready for the next customer. Perhaps
am going rather too far, but ] have strong
evidence daily before my eyes. do moi
mean to say anything against the true cath
Ollie religion but against those who only
use it as an instrument to encourage evil and
keep men in woful ignorance. Heaven
save the country that is ruled by such
priestcraft as Mexico,
New Orleans Picayane.