Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1884-05-22
lMExICo,s GRAND PALACE.
Where Thousands OF Human Victims
Were Slaughtered.


The '.Palacio Del Gobemo" Of repub-
lican Mexico was built BY its kingly
foppressors. This magnificent structure,
occupying an entire square 675 feet in
length, built around half a dozen in
terror patios, or open courts. was COM
menced by the Aztecs and finished by
Cortez and his Spanish vice-roysl sue
cessors. 1t is situated in the east side
Of the square. which is south Of the Gu
thedral. This square is the most beau
tiful in the city, being laid out after
the European fashion, ornamented
with Towering shrubs and eucalyptus
trees, and adorned with statues by the
unfortunate Carfotta. This is also the
place where the famous Teocali, or sa-
cred place of the Aztecs, was situated.
and where at least twenty thousand of
human victims were annually slaugh-
tered. Passing in ut the central en-
trance of this building, where dusky
soldiers were walking their beats, and
many others ''off duty" were lounging
around, giving it more the appearance
of monarchial palace than republi-
can capitol, we saw before US the CEN
tral patio or court. 1t is about one
hundred feet square, surrounded by
large, heavy stone pillars. thirty feet
high, supporting on its round-headed
arches a magnificent balcony. This
also being faced with arches produces
a very imposing aspect. Here we
were introduced to the officer of the
day, who kindly showed us the inter-
esting parts of the palace.
An opportunity was here afforded US
for seeing Maximilian's carriage of
state, concerning the magnifcence of
which so much has been said. As the
guard opened heavily-locked door
our eyes fell upon q carriage of great
splendor, at least ten feet high and
twenty feet long. ornamented with rich
gildings cover. ng all the woodwork,
figures of cherubs, arms of Mexico, sur
mounted by heavy silver work and
eight very large pannels of plate glass.
These are thick enough to defect a
rifle-ball not striking it perpendicular
ly, and even then the only danger
would be from the pieces of broken
glass. The inside was trimmed with
rich white damask and silver braid.
This elegant carriage, drawn along the
paseo with its pranoing steeds, with
uniform drivers, liveried footmen, and
the royal parsonage clad in rich robes
of state, was designed to impress the
lovers of parade and show.
A magnificent flight of stone stairs,
twelve feet wide, leads up from the
patio to the main rooms in the second
story. Going up this stairway we find
the offices OF the republic. The presi-
dent and the secretaries of the army
and navy have offices here. Here also
is the hall of the senate, and above on
the roof the central meteorological OBJ
servatory with the best telescope in
Mexico.
We passed through several ante
rooms in which were huge marble
vases, exquisite in workmanship, with
the arms of Mexico upon them. This
coat-of-arms, which was also painted
on the window-shades. consists of an
eagle with extended wings sitting on a
cactus plant and contending with a
serpent. 1t is the Old symbol of the
Aztecs.
We then came to the ambassador s
hall, three hundred feet long and
twenty-five wide. This room is light
ed by fifty candelabra and six very
large chandeliers covered with crystal
pendants. 1t is also arranged so rs to
be capable of division into smaller
rooms by means of crimson curtains.
Mexico has sought TO impress its
own history on its foreign ambassadors
bv putting on the walls of this panthe-
on the portraits of its republican he
roes. First comes Hdalgo, an insur-
gent priest, who was killed while en-
deavoring to secure the liberty of Mex
leo. His portrait is accompanied by
that of another priest, Morales; then
Guerrero; Iturbide, who attempted to
become emperor; Juares, the famous
Indian president; Diaz, who is likely to
become president again next June;
Nina Arista, who was prominent in the
negotiations that brought the war with
the United States to u close, and lastly,
another priest, named Matamoras,
One American has been admitted to
this hall-namely. Washington. In this
hall is large painting, twenty-seven
feet long, showing the battle of Puebla.
on the Cince de Mavo, when the Mexi.
cans defeated the French. 1t is to be
remembered that in this battle, when
the national existence was at stake,
the Mexicans, especially the Indians,
fought with more courage than ever
before. At one side of the painting is
bust of Gen. Largoroza, the leader oi
the MexicanS in this BATTLE
Thus this imposing room is designed
to preserve the important facts and
factors of the history of the republic
to immortalize its Mexican heroes, tc
stimulate patriotism, and insure the
devotion of all observers to the future
welfare of the state.-Cor. Denve'
NeeCs.