The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-06-19
MExICO's GRAND PALACE.

Where Thousands Of Human Victims Were
Slaughtered imiiisn's Carriage Of
state--A National Portrait Gallery.
The "Palacio Del Gobemo" of re-
publican Mexico was built by its kingly
cppressors. This magnificent struct-
ure, occupying an entire square 675
feet in length, built around half q
dozen interior patios. or open courts.
was commenced by the Aztecs, and
finished by Cortez and his Spanish
viceroyal successors. 1t is situated in
the east side of the square, which is
south Of the cathedral. This square
is the most beautiful in the city, being
laid out after the European fashion,
ornamented with towering shrubs and
eucalyptus trees, and adorned with
statues by the unfortunate Carlotta.
This is also the place where the famous
Teocali, or sacred place of the Aztecs,
was situated, and where at least twenty
thousand human victims were annu-
ally slaughtered. Passing in at the
central entrance of this building,
where dusky soldiers were walking
their beats, and many others "off duty"
were loungfng around, giving it more
the appearance of a monarchical pal
ace than republican capitol, we saw
before us the central patio, or court. 1t
is about one hundred feet square, sur
rounded by large, heavy stone pillars,
thirty feet high, supporting on its
round-headed arches % magnificent bal
cony. This also being faced with
arches, produces q very imposing as
pect. We were introduced to the ofli-
Ger of the day, who kindly showed us
the interesting parts of the palace.
An opportunity was here afforded us
for seeing Maximilian's carriage of
state, concerning the magnificence of
which so much has been said. AS the
guard opened a heavily locked door,
our eyes fell upon a carriage of great
splendor, at least ten feet high and
twenty feet long, ornamented with rich
gildings, covering all the wood work,
figures of cherubs, arms of Mexico,
surmounted by heavy silver work and
eight very large panels of plate glass.
These are thick enough to defect a
rifle ball not striking it perpendicu-
larly, 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 prancing steeds, with
uniformed drivers, liveried footmen,
and the royal personages clad in rich
robes of state, was designed to i'm
press the lovers of parade and show.
A magnificent flight of stone stairs,
twelve feet wide, leads up from the pa
ito 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
observatory, 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 SER
pent. 1t is the old symbol of the Az
tees.
We then came to the Ambassadors
Hall, three hundred feet long and
twenty-five wide. This room is lighted
by fifty candelabra, and six very large
chandeliers covered with crystal pend
ants. 1t is also arranged so as 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 by
putting on the walls of this pantheon
the portraits of its republican heroes.
First comes Hidalgo, an insurgent
ing to secure the liberty of Mexico.
His portrait is accompanied by that of
another priest, Morales; then Guer-
zero; Iturbide, who attempted to be-
come Emperor; Juarez, the famous In
dian President. Diaz, who is likely to
become President again next year !;
Nina Arista, who was prominent in the
negotiations that brought the war with
the United States to close; and, lastly,
another priest, named Matamoras. One
American has been admitted to this
ha,l-namely, Washington. In this
hall is large painting, twenty-seven
feet long, showing the battle of Puebla,
on the Cince de Mayo, when the Next
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 this painting is
q bust of Gen. Largoroza, the leader
of 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, to
stimulate patriotism, and insure the de-
votion of all observers to the future
welfare of the state.-Cor. Denre7'
NeUS.
Why He Left Pennsylvania.