The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-25

tory that was commemorated on Sunday last
in the city Of Mexico upon the anniversary OF
the torture OF the last OF the Aztec Emrcrors.
GuATEMozIH or ~CrAuHTEMoC. in tho sixteenth
century. In front OF the heroic statue OF that
romantic leader Of a conquered race. President
DIAz appeared on Sunday at tho head OF the
Mexican army and in presence OF II great con-
course of people. as the leader OF n celebration
held in honor Of his memory. tho memory OF
"GrAIkxoziS's bed OF fre,"
When GrATEMozIN was captured. after the
defeat OF tho Aztecs bv the victorious Span
iards. the cruel CoRTEz commanded that he
should re put to the torture. in order that he
might reveal the treasure which he was
supposed to possess: and rart of the torture
was tho burning OF his feet at 4 slow fire.
Though the agony OF the victim was intense.
he bore it with frmness. and even spoke
s~toically to the CaciIuo OF Tacuba. another
Aztec who suffered with him. He survived
this torture. but many years afterward. when
a false accusation was brought against him.
CoETEz gave orders for his execution; and.
according to PRESCOTT. t~iuATEMozIN was
hanged on a largo ceiba treo growing By the
roadside.
The tale Of tho Emperor GUATEMoz1N Is one
OF the tragic tales OF the Spanish conquest OF
Mexico. He was the nephew Of the great
MoNTEzUMA.
His name is now honored in the country ovor
which hc ruled $40 years ago.: and the GRAND
ceremony OF Sunday last before his statue In
tho city OF Mexico is one OF the proofs OF the
fact. Speeches OF eulogy were made in tho
Aztec language which GuATEMoZIN spoke. and
IN the Spanish language which CoRTEZ. his ex-
ecutioner. spoke. From what is known OF his
character. life. and deeds. it may be said that
he was worthy OF the honor.
A few subjects OF the King OF Dnhomcy
fell into the hands OF the French a while ago.
and during their short period Of captivity they
enjoyed better board and lodging than they
were accustomed to. King BEHASZIS.
ut the same time. happened to have
at his capital q few white traders
and missionaries. 1t was by no means
certain that they were farinE as we'll as tho
black captivcs on tho coast. and tho French
opened negotiations for an exchange OF pris-
oners. Tho exchange was finally arranged on
tho basis OF three blacks for one white. which.
the King insisted. was only equitable. as. in
his opinion. any ono OF his white captives was
worth MS much as any three of his black sub
jccts who had been gobblcd up by the French.
Tho French have reason to desire that the
same basis OF com Jpn hold good through.
out. inasmuch as King BEHANzIN has at least
three or four soldiers in the field for every
man the French can show. France has at last
assumed tho offensive. and 1000 OF her SOL
diers. about onc-third OF the force that
Col. DoDDs has under his command.
are now marching inland. Tho town
OF Vakon. which tho French have bombarded.
is only a few miles from Kotonu. whore tho
foreign soldiers have been cooped up behind
their Notifications for months. while some
thousands OF the enemy havo boon almost
within sight OF them. showing no eagerness to
face the superior weapons OF the French SOL
diery.
1t will not be surprising II we hear In a few
days that Col. DopDs's main force. which Ia still
at Kotonu. is steaming up the Wheme River.
bent on interviewing King BENJAMIN in his
capital. III tho coming proceeding the Kings
women warriors will be very much In evil
dence. and the events OF the next few weeks
are likely to convince tho young ruler that the
cares OF state In time OF warfare with q Euro
pean power are a very serious burden