Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-05-20
DEAD IN A FOREIGN LAND.
Brave Soldiers of Both the North and the South
Who Sleep in Far off Mexico where they
Fought and Died Bravely
(copprieAf 1893, al right re'errei W
geogfSv U-iphf Cardinal

ndi1t iIOtii tnt DCduuui NN'tN"
versally observed throughout both the
northern and southern sections OF the
United States-of placing flowers upon
the graves OF all who fell on either side
In our late Civil war, is generally regard
ed by those to the manner born as a
purely American custom known and
observed only in our beloved country
This Is an error. The Mexicans keep
an annual decoration day which Is even
more elaborate and extended in its
celebration than ours. Upon the annual
recurrence OF tina, day the graves of the
American soldiers who fell in this lovely
valley during our war with Mexico in
isi7 are always most generously includ'
ed In the decoration, rs we shall see
lator. No nation follows more faithfully
Mexico the christian pfecept enjoining
us to forgive and love our enemies. i
have said that the Mexican Decoration
Dav Is more elaborate and extended in its
celebration than ours, for the reason
that the Mexicans not only adorn with
floral tributes the graves of their fallen
soldiers but also deposit them upon the
last resiing.plac OF all their loved ones,
irrespective Of sex, age or occupation,
because instead Of being limited to one
day, like our observance, that OF the
Mexicans is prolonged Tor period Of
three nights and two days. The diiler.
cnce in the climate and the time Of
year at which flowers are most abundant
also cause Mcxico's Decoration Day to
be kept at different season from ours.
The observance practically begins on
the night Of October 81 ut about 7 p. M,
and about that hour on the last day OF
las, October found myself mingled
with crowd OF people who were pour
ing along the Gale de San francisco
into the Plaza Mayor. within whose
elegant focolo n government military
band was sending forth strains OF delici.
Gus music. Both the Plaza Mayor and
the Plaza de La Constitution presented
most brilliant sight. They had been
converted into temporary fair ground
crowded with innumerable booths which
offer fr sale the strangest commodities
that ever merchant dealt in. Everything
sold IL embiematic OF death and decay.
There are immense piles of candy
skulls, 10 some oil which have been
placed miniature wax candles, whose
light shining through the toothless jaws
and cyeless sockets Of crystallized sugar
produces most CHASTITY effect. There
are skeletons Of every Imaginable size
and material upon the counter Of every
booth, some OF them poor cheap affairs
Of paper, many Of candy, and others
deliberately constructed of wood And
jointcd so that the pulling OF o string
causes them to dance and caper In a
weifdly comical way. Some Of them
we're fantasticalIy dressed like ballet
dancers aud were surrounded by groups
Of candy tombs and sepulchres Students
OF old English customs have heard Of
soul cakes, q sort Of bun which good
natured people used to prepare In large
quantities to give to children who went
about from house to house at this time
OF year singing song and demanding
soul cake as reward. but the booths
in the Plaza Mayor on that eve OF the
btSoIatiuu LAY ttitDttlou ollGItu ibt
sale soul cakes which, Tor appropriate
ness and elaborate design, threw those
OF old England completely into tho
shade. They consisted Of three layers
OF cake no placed as to form three steps.
covered with white icing, and leading
up to a chocolate cross ut the extremity
OF the topmost layer or step. Upon
each Of the other layers there was some
design in chocolate intended to remind
the purchaser OF the solemn occasion
which the cake was meant to commemor.
ate, such as skulls, bones and cotiins.
Catalogues made of wood and paint
ed black, from six inches to two and a
half feet In height and from three inches
to two feet square, were also highly
popular article OF merchandise. Some
OF them consisted Of several platforms
rising one above the other, deliberately
draped with black cloth and emblazoned
in gilt with crosses, skulls and collins.
Besides the booths, there are numer.
Gus open air kitchens, whence the
tempting display OF edlbles is constantly
being replenished, aud where stout,
swarthylyoung women, their wei = ounded
neck and arms displayed to the best
advantage by the low.necked, short.
sleeved chemise, which is their only
garment above the waist, are busily
engaged in compromising, trying, oiling
and baking those ieariully and wonder.
fully made dishes in which the Mexican
palate delights.
But most interesting Of all sights are
the people themselves. Though the
occasion is intended to be solemn one,
and one would think the display Of such
wares as have described above calcul-
ated TO strongly emphasize its solemnity,
yet the shout. and vociierations Of the
light-hearted crowd and their
boundings and gambols in the shadow
OF the grand old cathedral which for
over 400 years has stood ut the head OF
the plaza, were such as might at first
have led one to think that the inmates
OF that philanthropic establishment, the
Casa de Locos Uunalic Asylum, had
forced bolts and bars aud exchanged
their straight wais,coais for others OF a
more elastic and becoming model, while
above all arose from the szooolo strains
Of such music as we seldom or never
hear in the States; for the playing of a
Mexican government military band Is a
revelation of the possibilities of such
an organization.
All that night and during the succeed
ing day and night the preparatory iestiv-
ities-u ! may so designate ,hem-oi
the annual Decoration Day are steadily
continued. With the dawn OF Decora
ton Day proper, which was November
2, CAME crowds OF people ladened with
flowers; and from the first streak Of day.
light until dusk the cemeteries Of San
Fernando and Dolores, and the French,
English and American burying.grounds
are crowded with those who come to