The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-09-16
A FESTIVAL IN MEXICO.
How Our Nsighbors to the South
west Celebrate Their Great
est Holiday.
Their Fourth Of July Comes on
the Fifteenth Day Of Sop
tember.
Observed With Curious Customs ANA Ora,
olous Actions Tho Speeches and
the Ball-Much G%Aiisntry.
Especial Correspondence.1

Los ANGELES, Aug. 80.--The 18th day OF
September is the Mexican Fourth of July,
and 1t Ia celebrated In a unique manner in
this section. In every Mexican settlement
in California there il one house distin-
guished from all others of the neighbor-
hood by two flagpoles in tho front yard.
They remain bare and attract no attention
until the evening of the celebration, when
tho stars and stripes and the national en-
blem Of Mexico are run up on their respcc-
tive ~fagpoles by the first and second flag
men, who have been duly elected by the
guests for that honor. This rancho is the
headquarters Of the neighborhood, and here
all the public festivities take place. The
ranchhouse has n grand sala capable of nc.
c~ommodating about 80 couples. This sala
has benches ranged round the wall for the
spectators. The don, who is the political
and social leader Of the neighborhoul, has
constructed this ballroom for the conven-
fence OF the neighborhood.
During the afternoon of the 18th Of Sep
TENDER the Mexican celebrants begin to as
semble. The come by burro, in old fash
toned carretas, in OK wagons and on horse
back, three or four deep, carrying bundles,
boxes and even their old fashioned trunks.
These contain the ancient and somewhat
faded dresses of their ancestors for perhaps
three or four generations. The guests are
received by the don and senora with the
greatest courtesy md the usual Spanish
form Of welcome, "Senor, my house is
yoursv' The ladies dress in red. yellow and
green, or combine these %colors, with q beau
tiful and harmonious effect. They gossip
in the sala during the afternoon while the
men lie under the shade trees smoking
cigarettes and dreaming of their senoritas,
for nothing must be done in the way Of fes-
tivities until II O'Clock at night. That IS
the hour that the conspirators. headed by
Father Guadalupe Hidalgo y Castillo, the
patriot priest" run out into the plaza
shouting: "Viva Mexicol Viva libertad!'
Mexicans are very formal and exact in
public functions, and on that hour, to the
minute, the celebration begins by the rails
ing Of both flags amid the usual "roar' Of
artillery or anvils, music from the band
and ''hurrahs" from everybody. The don
and his wife, attired in state, enter the
grand sala to greet their guests anew and
to inform them officially that the celebra~
tion Is about to begin. The don and his
wife head the procession, and all march
out upon the piazza, when the don shouts,
with q wave Of his sword: 'Viva Mexicol
Viva libertad! Viva compadresl" He
then makes a speech Of welcome to his
guests, tells them what they came for,
wishes them q merry time, introduces the
orator Of the day or evening, and with a
grand military court salute retires. The
orator then turns himself loose in the
usual famboyant style.
After he hes finished there are more salvos
of artillery from the anvil. vivas are shout
ed for everybody, including the orator, all
return to the sala. and the dance begins.
The don and sonora head the procession
and take the first position in the dance.
which is usually the bolero. The don and
senora dress in the old style and wear the
family diamonds handed down from gener-
alton to generation. His %pantaloons are of
black cloth, with a braid of gold on the
outer seam of the legs. His jacket is also
Of black cloth, likewise braided around the
collar and sleeves. Around his body is q red
sash in the place of suspenders. Hanging
to his left side Is q sword worn by his ia
ther or grandfather.
The orchestra usually consists of a violin,
flute and two guitars. One of the latter is
usually played by a pretty, dark eyed Sc
norita, perhaps the daughter Of the host.
The music is soft and sensuous, and the