Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-07
TLAXCALA.
Ayosaorrxr1rpuBIrc-APRou LIT
TIE Stair IN MExrco.
An Indian Commonwsslsh Governed BY
Indisns- Romantic Annals ofa
Littis.Known People.

| Tlsxcslans. the turbulent and liti-
o;ous - TIaxcalans, o. Humboldt called
Them, the ancient allies Of Cortez, the
most curious Commonwealth on the
North American Continent. Coming
down here from the busy and cosmo-
politan City Of Mexico is like being
translated TO another planet l know
of no more curious experience. Here
il to be found the unique political ex-
periment--and . successful one--of a
State composed Of pure-blooded In
dams, ruled by mon Of their Own race.
This little city Of Tlaxcala, with
about 4,500 inhabitants, IS quiet
place, with mostly one 'story adobe
houses, succeed and whitewashed !;
with a little alameda as dreamy and
reposefal as if it were painted in q
picture and had no external realization
IN stone and earth; with the quaintest
conceivable market-place filled with
little buildings, consisting of stone
pillars and pitch roofs, and all alive on
market.dsys with the Indians from the
hill-sides and mountain valleys around,
bringing little pigs or fowls to sell, aud
with many basket OF vegetables and
fruits. Here you shall sec the long
haired, untamed Indians of the noun
tains, who owe allegiance
ONLY TO THEIR CACIQUEs,
or chiefs. and have but the vsguest idea
of the Federal Government up in the
foreign.like City of Mexico. AT first
glance noted the proud bearing of the
Tlaxcalans, who never forget that they
were q great people in Mexico before
the conquest, and were the allies OF
Cortez against their ancient enemy,
Montezums the First.
At the risk of being just bit tire
some / will sketch, in few lines, the
history Of these proud and warlike
people, who stand to-day apart in
Mexico. race by itself. Tlaxcala was
settled long before the conquest by a
part Of q tribe which once dwelt on
the shores of Lake Texcoco, near the
present City of Mexico. One part OF
this tribe of the Chichimecss went to
Orizaba and settled that town, and an
other portion came here and took up
their residence among these lofty hills,
which on the north, west, and south
formed an impregnsble natural fortii-
cation. The eastern side was open to
attack, and so the Tlaxcalans set to
work and built tremendous wall
which astonished the Spanish conquerors
on their arrival. AT first Tlsxcsla was
a monarchy, bat subsequently became
q republic-probably a fall century
before the Pilgrims landed atPlymouth.
As o republic it was governed by a
Senate, composed of representatives Of
the different family groups, or sub
tribes. From time immemorial these
people have been Of fiery and AFRO
CANT temper. Montezuma made two
tremendous campaigns to subdue them,
but to no purpose; they could not be
conquered, and so naughty we're they
that rather than have dealings with the
Aztecs in the Valley Of Mexico-their
enemies-fOr fifty years the Tlaxcalsns
went
WITHOUT SALT, COCOA, AND COTTON
Put this alongside of the antilles
movement iG ancient Boston. Later or
the Tlsxcalans were reinforced by SOM
Caciaues driven from the Valley OIL
Mexico, who came here seeking tht
hospitality Of the republic. These
CaciQues were adopted into citizenship
and given homes in the hills with sites
thew were to defend, duty which they
manfully performed. Then came Cortol
and his warriors, clad in their strange
srmor and using firearms and horses
The Tlaxcalsns fought the conqueror'
fiercely, and did not succumb till th'
10Th of September, 1919, one hundred
and one years before the landing 9
Plymouth. Then came the alliance
with Cortez, for the TlsxcOlaAs ha:eC
Montezuma and his despotic govern
msnt moro than they did the Spaniards
and it was due to the aid of thes
bravo Indians that Cortez conquered
Mexico.
Up on the hills, where l am nov
looking, stand the ancient forests frou
whence came the timber which bull
tho feet Of brigantinas that Corte
launched On Lake TexcocO for the sieg
of the capital of Montezums. HI
Tlaxcalss allies carried this timber u
the mountains and over the plains t
the shores OF the lake, singing war
songs as they went. After the con
quest Of Mexico was completed tn
Spanish Government, mindful Of tt
irestimsble services Of the republic Q
Ilaxcala, gave to its people specia
privileges, among them the right to b
governed by their own chiefs, and mad
il impossible for white man to sit !
the ayuntamiento or city council of tai
town. There was nominal sllegianc
paid 10 a Spanish Governor, and tia
vas all. 10 this day Tlaxcala, whic
was not admitted into the Mexlca
Union till 1857, is governed by its or
people. The present Governor
Tlaxcala is burly Indian, with
voice
LIKE THE THUNDER OF HIS oW
{ SIERRAS,
a man Of intelligence, whose sway
firm, and tempered with mercy an
good sense. Mono bat Indians aid hlI
in governing his State, and none bl
Indians Of the pure blood sit in the cit
council of the capital town.
These Indians that ] see about me
/ the streets, in the market-place, and Q
the roads, are very much like the be-
2 class of our North American Indian
!. They will rank with the Penobscots
{ Maine or the few remaing Mohawks
i New York. They have proud, dire
d way Of looking you in the face, b.
a display no curiosity whatever at Il
\ most novel sight. Thoreau, q lover
!. Indians, would have been delighted [
q find this noble remnant of the grel
q aboriginal race, and our Indian chan
J, pions in New England would find ev
dence Of their theory Of the red man
q capacity by visiting Tlaxcala. Senate
4 Dawes could find conirmstory fac,
here in support of his Indian reforl