The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18
An Effort to be Made to Convert
the Aztec Lacondons.
Heathens In Mexico Who Have
Withstood Christianity.
A Correspondent In An Aztec City
AS the Chiefs Guest.
Eternal War Vowed Against the White
Race-A Civilization Which Includes
Art, Architecture and Human
Sacrifice.

NEW iOltk, ApTH li.-lnc NSW ioih
Herald prints the following letter from the
City Of Mexico, written under date OF
March %:
The Catholic church in Mexico has evil
IDENTIFY determined to convert the Lacon-
dons.
Failure after failure to bring these pecul-
lar people within the realms Of Chrlsten-
dom has been reported, yet one more earn
est, powerful effort is to be made. A well
appointed expedition, led by band Of
priest missionaries, is expected to leave this
city about April 10.
Mexican records state that the Lacon-
dons form wild tribe of Indians scattered
over the three States Of Yucatan, Tabasco
and Campechc. Their numberis estimated
at about $4,000.
In effect they are Aztecs, preserving all
the religious bigotry and cruelty OF this an
Client people, even TO the offering of human
sacrifices TO the Inexorable, their god.
The country which they inhabit has
never been explored, but there is popu-
lar legend in the State Of Tabasco that in
the heart OF the forests the l.acondons pos
sess city with temples and bazars, such
as were found by the Spaniards in Aztec
cities on their first landingin Mexico. Few
white men have penetrated this region.
The Lacondons were never subdued by
the Spaniards and no attempts have been
made 20 subjngate them. Since Mexico
became independent they have held them
selves absolutely aloof from all intercourse
xrfNh atafn nj
missionaries Is considered extremely peril
Gus. Tho government iayors conversion Of
the Indians. Catholicism will render them
more amenablc 10 civil jurisdiction. The
party is composed OF Passionist and Jesuit
fathers, and their mission has the direct
sanction OF the College Of the Propaganda,
a. Rome, as well as OF the archbishop and
| bishops vi Mexico. Catholic organs point
10 tho undertaking rs proof that the spirit
OF zeal and self-sacriilcc among the Catholic
clergy Is US active to-day as in the times Of
st. Francis Xavier and his associates.
VISIT To THE AzTEcs.
II may be iruthfully said that l have
"bratcn" the good missionaries, having
roc ntly visited one OF their strongholds.
The whole story is the embodiment OF nv
careful personal observations.
las for about two months, and, with Man.
uel, had made frequent excursions TO the
mountains in search Of the remnants OF
the Alicc-, hoping to obtain threads Of
their history which would aid me in my
studies.
One evening we were sitting on the
broad plaza which ran the full length OF
the house and were drinking In the beau
ties OF the scene. The full moon, Just ris-
Ing, shed a glamour over the landscape
that almost made one believe the place was
enchanted.
While we were thus contemplating the
wondrous beauties OF nature, there sud-
denly stood before us Nh old. white-headcd
man, with brown checks, sunken and
wrinkled; eyes deeply sunk behind pro-
truding check bonea and shaded by down
drawn brows, hair scant and silvery, flow
Ing loosely about his neck, yet with wiry
and muscular frame. He was dressed in
the native costume, and carried over his
shoulder tho finest serapc had ever seen.
he was met with ordinations Of pleas
ure by the whole family, and Senior JarTa-
milla soon mado me acquainted with the
stranger. He was an Aztec noble who,
with a remnant OF Tat race, lived in the
mountains far from the habitations OF the
whites. Some great favor had been done
him by DON Jesus, and firm friendship
had sprung up between the Aztec and his
benefactor's family.
VISIONS or KNOWLEDGE AND JOY.
rh.rex, moynine senor Ja,yamIIls ca,,od
80 in,o Id. .,,,Jv and ,old me- ,ha, be Ind
sa,a 49, a., 80 Y nn.;na ms anxia,.
~ ns" ~, az anci"n, uax;,,n 49,:
$3.50 ,nJroed ,he oid chiei,ain 10 tsLs
nv .-N ~ si,,' .s,J 10. Ne ali a. ,,'to,-
nv ~ Us ~ his, ~o Iso,' c his nannla
AhO aaa ~ AZ. ,;n,e no ,yonid ,a ydody a.
II, ~ - srd IA chose could occor,.
sG.s IT, ~, 7, % necdloss 90 soy that I
Rs ay.,i MN innnod a, ,hc onnortnni,v anil
~ ILL., Jars wer n spant in nrenar.
nv nv T., ,ha I'm which wonld last abont a
n ns ~ '"' "'P' "' "O'N INV O'' :"
"'y NV GOO d.vs no Travelled toward the
.or,hw ~ ana encnmneJ at The month oi
a gore through which we must pass 10
r,scb he home Of the Indian.
Tarly next morning We started. The
,al grasa waved slightiy before the Green.
| inc brceze. The flowers Of every hue.
~bich wc,o scattered like fraqments Of
raInhous over tho entire valley, sparkled
oem.like when the sunlight icli upon the