New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-26
HISTORIC MORELIA.
A CENTURY OF REVOLUTIONARY ASsoC1A'
TONS
AN OLD SPANISH CITY WITH A PATRIOTIC NAME
THE FIRST MEXICAN COLLEGE-SlGNs
OF EDUCATIONAL PROGREss-THE
CATHEDRAL AND PLAZAS.
yRoMA STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
,rorolio Eebruorv 81


Norelia February %.
This ancient and beautiful city is the centre oil
the nobeSt historical associations Of Mexico. Inc
war for independence was a heroic struggle, con-
Quoted ct the outset by two patriotic priests
IIidago and MorelOs, and brought to an ehH "N
an astutc military dipomatist It1rbide lheSa
three leaders lived in Valladolid. whose name was
changed to Morclia in honor OF Morelos. HlGaito
was both a student and a professor IN inc o''
college of San Nicolas, founded By BISHOP Q"iIoA
in 1910 at Patzcuaro and removed to F2i1ado'"
in 1883 The houses where his pupil, Morelo''
was born and where he lived when he Jolhcu 'i'o
insurgents against Spain arc marked oy Hs'i,P-
tions. The house whorc Yturbldc was born also
hears a tablet. but his memory IS not hohore' ''
belt the opportuneness of his public services IS
recognized Mexican justice is no, prcjudiced Dy
conditions of success or failure. The motives
of the heroes Of the revolutionary peroa are
sharply analyzrd IIidalg0. Norcos M};amoros'
Alendc and Guerrero were unsclish patriots VINO
fought the battles Of Independence ana r'p'p-
licansm without fear and without IeproacA
Yturbidr was Royalist leader, who changed side9
opporuncly and accomplished the final result
of releasing Mexico from foreign domination
He was crowned rs Emperor and was speealP
ovcrthrown, banished in disgrace. and put 10
death when he returned. Those who ta!led ID
their efforts to liberate the country are glorhed
as heroes and martyrs. Their statues are reared
In many cities States and towns are named aiter
them and the patriotic music in which Mexico
dclichts celebrates their noble purposes and &C.
spairinr struggle for liberty. Yturbde's public
achievements were cloudcd with selfish motives
and sordid ambition He is without honor in
his own country.
American ignorance of what is most enrolling
I'm tie history of the nearest republic is as anon
alous rs II is disorpditabc. ont Of hundred
tourists coming from the North there will be
prrhapS one familiar with the events OF the war
Of Mexican independence and the character oil
that heroic period. The remaining ninety and
nine will have a fairly correct knowledge Of the
<panish conquest and the vicisstudcs of Max
imilian but Hidalqo and Morclos will bn strange
names 70 them. Yet when the truth is told what
was CortcS but Spanish ADVENTURE OF the worst
type conducting a prat.cal expedition IN search
Of gold and deliberately eNagCerotng ana taisllN-
ing the records of the conquest in order 10 mag
nifty his exploits and cNtenuate his treachcrous
conduct? Or what was Macmillan but crowned
intrigucr taking thr%e to which he had no
right, at the bidding Of an imperial tHcEster
who had stolen away the liberties of lrance? ?
What is there in the careers of these two usurprrS
which captivatcs the interest Of Americans and
leads them 10 neglect the stirring story OF rephD-
IUcan sacrifice and hcroism? Every excursion
marty that is brought to Mexico in palatlal cars
/, conducted 10 churches containing memorials
and portraits Of Cortcs, and is expected TO lament
the fate of Macmillan and Carlotta under the
cyprcsscs Of Chapultepcc and in the convent OF
t'c Capuchinas his prison in Queretaro. No
heed is paid 10 the historical associations which
are most highly priced by the MeNlcanS them
selves. Iidago was the Washington of Mexico,
H., md, ,,l1 an
isbcd life. bur American visitors invariably have
TO ask who lie was and why unusual honorS
ore paid 70 his memory. They represent coun-
trv. moreover. which has proclaimed in its Dccara-
ton Of Independence and in it's Monroe Doctrine
IFS sympathy with republican institutions through
ont the world. and especially the American
continent.
If foreigners are Indifferent TO the storm and
stress period of Mexican independence, the native
population with true patriotic instinct reverences
The memories OF its heroic dead. Every battle
field has its monument, every place of execution
IFS statue. every birthplace its inscription, ana
every grave It's scuptural memorial Dolores on
the line OF the Mexican National. where lildaiso
proclaimed the revolution one Snnd2y morning
after mass in tie village church. has a national
celebrity. San Miguel, nearby, where one OF Inc
ROYAL regiments rcVOlted and joined llld2goS D'hd
! 81
the conspiracy against the throne. The Church Of
Atonico where IIidaso displayed the red banner
Of the Yirein Of Guadalupe as the republican
stndari. is one Of the sacred places Of Mexican
liberty. Guauajuato and Morclia, which were the
first strourholls captured by lIdalCo and AHende'
| ealousy guard their memories Upon Monte dc Ia
| Cruces between Toluca and Mexico. there Is a
monument concentrating their victory over Inc
Royalist forces. There the record Of triumph
ends. for lIdalco instead Of advancing - the
national capital rctrcatcI toward Qucrctaro and
was dsastrousy defeated. Taking refuge III
! Guadalaar he raised another army only TO he
yanqushed again. and retiring - thc north ne was
captured and executed with Allcudr Albania ana
Jimiuez. Their heads wcr' nailed upon the lour
corners Of tie Amondica de Grcnaditas at
Guanajuato, where now stands q statue OF llidalSo'
but their ashcs were rcycrcntly placed in after
years under the altar of SoyeociSns III tHe
cathedral Of Mexico and thcir flag VAS conSecrated
in the cathedral at Guadalupe
This was the first stage Of the revolution and 1t
ended disastrously. The second period opened
when Morclos, another patriotic priest set out
from NaIiadolid to ris, the standard OF revolt on
the Pacific Coast Returning from Acapulco with
an army he defended Cuautla for TWO months
against the Royaliss. and finally cut his way
throuah the bcsicging army. After long series
Of brilliant mauoeuyrcs and victories ms army
was defeated near his native town by lturDde.
Roth he and his chief lieutenant. MotamoroS were
| subsequently captured and sentenced to death
| Guerrero was the only msuracnt chief who main
tanned the struggle for independence, and his war
fare would have been futile if lturbidc had not
abandoned the Royalsts at a critical moment, and
by shrcwd diplomacy united the opponents of
Spain. The battle was won in this woy after
succession of patriotic ryerses. but since he Was
unable to resist the temptation 10 establish him
self on the throne Of the MoneZumaS, his public
services are remembered only to his shame.
Morela has been sufficiently generous to place
tablet over the place Of his birth, but M0relos,
the mulcteer and curate. is it's hero and sage.
The city was repeatedly hesicged during the decade