Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1892-10-05

yitiraiuia FREE gress.
The I0lh of septemDer'in Mertco.

Tie 10Th Of september t' ne"t0o'
We have Just celebrated the 4th of July
of the United States of Mexico, which
comes on the 10th of September, and it was
such an enthusiastic occasion in our city
that will be glad, if l can, to reproduce
as much of it as | saw for those of your
readers who may enjoy looking through
our eyes at the doings of your southern
neighbors 1t was on the eve of the 10th
of September, 1910, that the patriot priest,
Don Miguel Hidalgo Y Costello, who had
for some time been organizing rebellion
against the Spanish rule, learning that his
purpose had become known to the party in
power, rang the bells of his parish church
and called to arms the few WHO we're walt
ing for the -ignal They started from Mo-
relies and were strengthened 10y great num-
Der, who FASTENED to their aid from every
town and viMre on their route. But | I'm
not going to venture OH chapter of Span
in history; will only add, in further ex-
PLANTATION. that after gaining several battles
he failed to push his advantage, was sur
priscd, defeated and captured and in this
city of Chihushua paid with bis life for the
liberty of his country.
His death and that of four of his gene
rails who were executed with him, instead
of crushing the rebellion, gave impetus to
the cause, and the Spanish rule was entire
ly broken.
Last Thursday, the 18th, the town was
all astir; schools closed, houses decorated
with flags of the Mexican colors-green,
white and red-and the Mexican eagle
strangling the serpent of tyranny, floating
in every direction. At9p. m. We were in
the hall t, hear the patriotic speeches, the
songs, aud most interesting of ali, the Grito,
or cheer with which the ceremonies closed.
Seated ON the second floor, where | could
survey all the whole house excepting the
third gallery over my head, tried to count
the people that formed solid mass in every
part of the house. | thought that not less
than 200 were inside and learned after
ward that it was impossible for others who
wished to enter to do So The first sensa-
ton after securing our chairs, which we had
sent down in the morning, was the entrance
of the governor and suite between ranks of
soldiers drawn up in the middle aisle and
all the music that two regimental bands
could make Then followed great deal of
fine music from the bands, from six violins,
from duets and solos on piano and violin,
and lastly, from some eight or ten Mexican
ladies. The addresses were closely read
with even voices and little gesture all the
emotion being manifested by the auditors.
who frequently broke out in rapturous
cheers when something reached their ex-
citable natures. One small boy was put
into the stand, that by the way looked more
like an old-fashioned pulpit than anything
else, and recited in vehement tones his adj
dress, without manuscript or prompting. II
proved 10 us, already convinced, more con
clusively than ever the power OF direct adj
dress. The applause was beyond anything
that had gone before and continued until
the little fellow was brought out to receive
their congratulations. The CLOSING act was
the waving of the flag by the governor and
singing of the national hymn. The two
bands played it grandly, and it is fine
composition. The solois,s amor's the ladies
came forward one at time 10 taAe the
stanzas in succession, while the whole choir
took up the chorus. | wish | could make
you see and hear it. First the waving of
the flag with the sentiments from the gov
ernor, viva Ia Independence, viva la Lib
ertse, viva la Mexico, with Il rousng shout,
"The Critic" from hundreds of throats to
each, then at the close of every stanza OF
the hymn the fair singer gave the note and
every voice took it up.
At twelve o'clock we came out to find the
streets brilliant with electricity, fireworks
darting to the sky and the people moving
everywhere men, women, children and ba-
bies-as composedly as if it was the middle
of an ordinary day and they had not just
been shouting themselves hoarse in the joy
of liberty. Parades, fireworks, speeches
were the order of the next day, but we were
satisfied with the Critic and only sat
on the roof of our house to see free circus
in the square opposite, 1t was not worth
the nothing we paid to see it,