The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-11-24
From The Ncw York Sun.
TIE VIRGIN OF GUADALUPE

The Americans i'll possessing the impc-
rial city of Mexico and the neighbo-ing hill
and fountain of Guadalupe, have peculiar
hold on the old Mexican race. BY imme-
mortal tradition the lord of the spot on
which the Aztec eagle paused in lis flight,
is master Of the Mexican valley. In the
eyes of the masses-as in military science
Mexico falls with her capital. The pro-
wess and skill that has reached and struck
down the head, may easily reduce 10 sub
mission the broken members. The scconI
pledge Of, final obedience is in the guardi.
anship of the dearest and most sacred OBJ
ject of the national vcneration-the Chuch,
rock and fountain dedicated 70 " Mary, the
mother of ofJcsus, patron saint and perpetual
intercessor of the Mexican people" This
site has been hallowed ground to the native
races from the date Of their earliest records.
A temple dedicated TO a benefcient god
dess, the mediator between man and the
higher duties, crowned at the time of the
conquest, the remarkable hill now sacred
to the name ofhe whom Scripture STYLES
blessed among women," and the medici-
nal fountain that boils continually at It's foot,
has ever been to the inhabi Of the
plains cent:e Of religious pilgrimage.
The stones ofthe heather temple have been
remodelled into a Christian Church, and
science has explained the healing virtues of
the fountain but under all changes, the
natives throng to the place with revcrential
faith. General Scott will find that his pro-
lection and respect for the sacred edifices of
Guadalupe will do more to win over and
disarm the populace, than poclama,ions or
bayonets, We started to visit the shrine of
sour Lady Of Guadalupe" on one ofthosc
balmy cloudless mornings that are peculiar
to the climate Of Mexico, and after delight
ful ride OF three miles along perfectly
straight and level road, bordcred by double
avenue of trees: glittering with scarlet fruit,
our carriage drew up between the stately
cathedral Of Guadalupe and the over-brim-
ming fountain of the Plaza. Not the foun.
tain under the protection Of "Our Lady,"
but such as belong to many other towns in
Spanish America, and which, with much
less advantage or jet, makes our New York
affairs look superlatively mean. We did
not stop long, however out side of the
church, for it was day Of festival, and the
Indian girls were celebrating with HYMN
and dance the praises of the pure, the
merciful, the sinner-pitying mother of God"
VIC uoO! tHC SCilScS are confused
and overwhelmed by the magnifcence and
profusion Of the spectacle. Gold, silver.
carvings, paintings and statues, crowd upon
the eye IN lavish display. Presently the
towering columns and the noble symmetry
OF the vast arcades of the ceiling reveals
their chaste splendor Of pure white and
FURNISHED gold, with brilliant distnctness.
Then the eye turns with surprise and ad-
mlration to the wonderful choir, which
stands, like church within church, in
the immense central space Of the nave. 1t
is miracle Of rich carving and solid silver
work A heavy balustrade, some feet high
OF pure silver, rails in the passage from the
choir to the altar, and the wide semicircle
in front of it, At short intervals silver
statues with candle holders in their hands
crown the costly balustrade and the fence
around the altar itself shines an enormous
mass of gold. More than a thousand
pounds weight of gold and silver (some say
me! more than tony was used IN the balustrade
and altar ornaments of this splendid edifice.
This aew church is at the foot Of the hill of
Guadalupe. On its sharp summit stands
the original chapel built in consequence of
an Indiaa named Juan Diego being direct
cd in dream or vision to ca upon the
Archbishop of Mexico to raise chapel on
that spot, to the honor and service Of the
"Virgin Mother Of Jesus" At first the