The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-19
The Homage They Intend Paying
Pope Leo at Rome.
Costly Presents of the Faithful
Which They Bear TO Him.
Important Results Likely to Accrue
From tho Pilgrimage.
One Cross Worth More Than s75, 900
The Value OF All the Presents
More Than s2oo,ooo--
Church and State.

NEW 1oRk, Aprli lo.--An interesting
collection Of people 10 the plumber OF 40
men and women, from Mexico, have Just
started to Rome TO pay their homage to
the Pope and present TO him valuable gifts
from his Catholic subjects in Mexico.
The results OF the visit OF these pilgrims
to the Holy City may be Of far reaching
importance 10 old Mexico.
This party OF travellers would be difficult
TO describe. Aside from about forty servants
there are in it thirty priests. The remain
der arc wealthy hacienda owners and their
wives.
As the "trip will cost each person g., 900
TO $500 for the two months voyage ii
will be seen that only men OF means were
able 10 start upon il.
The party is in charge OF the venerable
bishop OF Chalapa. lie Is attended by his
official interpreter, Slgnor Manuel Isnda.
The bishop OF Chalapa IS the head OF
the Catholic church in Mexico, and his
presence but the head Of the pilgrimage
gives il an added importance. Tho party
left the City of Mexico, where, and in
Puebla, II was principally recruited, on
April I, and has Travelled continuously by
special trains, reaching Wechawken, on
the West Shore road, at $40 o'clock ycstcr.
day. A icrry-boat transferred them direct
to the Anchor line wharf.
Through the old republic tho progress OF
the train was made the occasion by the
people Of holidays. The bishop was ac-
corded an ovation ut every station and all
along the line. The faithful ssluied the
train whenever II appeared in sight and
silently bowed before their spiritual father.
A notable sight was that presented ut
Zacaiacas, one Of the largest towns reached
by the Mexican Central road. The road
approaches the place through .,n
sloped valley that s,rcichcBto the soutr -
lar ~ the eye can reach. As the asin
drew In ut the depot aud stopped the -.
| grims saw thousands Of peasants grouped
IN q compact mass on one OF the slopes
Men, women and children composed the
throngs OF woHhipcn, Who must have
numbered 5000. The bishop emerged
from his car and stood upon the platform
surveying the vast gathering for few mo-
nents. Then he stretched forth his hands
In bonediclion. At the instant the thou
sand Frustrated themselves snt remained
with their faces 10 the ground until the
| train again moved awny.
There were other demonstrations OF the
same kind, but ut no other place did the
people collect in such numbers, though
they came for miles b. catch sight OF the
train bearing their pilgrim father
On the arrival Of the people on board the
vessel which Is Ia convey them TO Naples,
her cabin was converted into a booking
Office. Assistant Passenger Agent Jack
son had a corps OF clerks on hand 10 nssist
in making out tickets for the party and
giving them berihs Thcre were not
enough first-cla@ bcr,hs TO 60 around, and
several had 90 be content with sccond.cla
sleeping accommodations and the irt
class fare. One jolly, Eat old pilgrim, who
had paid $50 for a private dmwingroom
from Mexico, objected 10 paying $40 for a
staie.roOm. but lac was finally placaicd.
lie was troubled with q bal cold and his
cough sounded like the rumblings Of Ills.
tant thunder. Soon after conHnmpliye-
looking tnidcsman from Puebla Who
couldn't get In anywhere else, asked II be
couldn't SHARE thciold fellows siaie.ioom.
| A little parlcying brought out the permits
sion this wisc-aiter translation: AN
right; ! shall cough all night. II he can
stand II ! can"
IL was pretty cold along shore for the
pilgrims, and large portion oi them put
on American clothes M soon ~ they could
get at their baggage. The Mexican COS
tunes will, however, he WON when they
reach Rome. Linen coats were shown
when the breeze blew open heavy ulslon,
aud hardly a man was without n huge mui-
fcr that almost concealed his face. One
dandy looking hacienda owner wore high
heclcd, narrow toed shoca and tight fitting
trousers, decorated on the outside Of each
log with two score solid silver buttons. His
hat, huge wide sombrro wound with
gold braid half an inch In diameter,
weighed about five pounds. This Same
gentleman IA said 10 have IN his trunk n
pair Of trousers that viii wake mp the lial-
ians II Is ornamenlcd with oigLiy-six
twenty dollar gold pieces that are fastened
In pains 10 the outside seam. The McHicans
20 In for rich trousers and hats
An idea OF the value Of The gifts which
are ON their way 20 the holy father may
be gathered from the fact that one cross
sent by City Of Mexico Catholics Is worth
more than $4,000. II consists Of Mexican
| kplh nlbkfcfu h1u fct Win hil'Nuh Hthf
can opals and diamonds. IL Is nineiEches
In length. In all tho giils Oh twenty
eight cases. varying In size, and nearly
every ono. Of the pilgrims has also per:
sonal gift for the Pope. Two hundred
thousand dollars will barely cover the
cost Of these offerings. There are silver
services, crosses, nuf.boxes, carved
images and stained woods IRON Mexican
forests, They were transported In bond
from Mexico.
"What Ia the object Of Tho pilgrimage
the reporter asked one Of the Engliah
speaking members Of tho party. lie re
piled;
at Is really 10 bring about better nm
dersianding than now exisls as 10 the
future conduct Of the CATHOLIC church 10
Mexico, and. that attained, 10 strengthen
that amicable feeling between the church
and the State which las been manifest
since the presidency Of Diaz began. Until
that event the church In Moxico hos had
much TO endure since President Juarek
passed the laws Of the rciornna. There ha.
been at no tlmo freedom lor priests and
people until laitcrly, whom President Diaz