The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-10-03
WITH THE
MONTEzUWAs.
A National Cemetery at The City Of
Mexico.

l
management and control are in the hands o
the War Department at Washington. Capt
Ayers, the Superintendent, is authority fol
the statement that Mexico is the only coun-
try on earth where the United States pos
sesses title to land for such purposes, and
exercises authority over foreign SOIL sui
fcient explanation of this curious condition
is the fact that the territory III question
comprises but two acres of ground, and thai
therein repose side by side the American
and Mexican. the German and the Frenchman
as well as other foreigners. On Sundays and
other occasions the native residents OF Next
co stand or kneel side by side with foreign
visitors to the cemetery, and the tribute OF
silent love and sorrow paid by each has no
color OF nationality. Among those who
often visit the cemetery to lay their tokens
of love and homage upon the graves OF their
dead are wel!-known Mexican families
there are widows and widowers fathers,
mothers, and relatives in every degree OF
those who sleep beneath the soil. What
matters il that the cemetery is American?
Beneath the soil lies the form whose image
has been carried in the heart Tor years.
1.-THE messy marbles rest
On the lips that Ice had pressed
la their bloom.
And the voice lac loved TO hear
Has been hushed for many year
IN the tomb"
What a solemn, silent protest rises from
these graves where ihe dead are all at peace
ava nst the race prejudice which would
make territorial lines the control and deter
mination of human character!
Though in the past the right Of burial in
the cemetery was granted to all nstionalities,
of late wears it has been restricted TO Amerl-
As of aot was nj N
1873 that the cemetery was subjected to the
rules and regulations affecting t. s. National
Cemeteries 1t was established in 1851
under an act Of Congress approved Sept. 2S,
1850, by which, the sum of $4,000 was ap-
propriaied for the purchase, walling and
ditching of piece OF land near the City of
Mexico for a cemetery or battle-ground for
such Of the officers and sold ers of the q. S.
army in the war with Mexico as fell in battle
or died in and around said city, and for the
interment OF American citizens who have
died or may die IN said city" In July, 1852
further appropriation of S14S0.34 was
made, and in 1873 il was placed under the
same control and subjected TO the same rules
rs the National Cemeteries in the United
States, and authority was given for its care
and maintenance out OF the funds appropri-
ated for National Cemeteries.
The site is in the shape of an oblong
square, and is entirely surrounded by sub
stantial stone and brick walls. which are
kept in neat condition and are colored white
The property was conveyed TO the United
States In 1851 by Manuel Lopez, in fee
simple for the consideration Of $4,000, and
rince then has always been the object of
much solictude on the part Of the American
residents of Mexico. Along the western
wall runs the Consulate or San Cosme
River, which, when swollen by rain, rises
to within few feet Of the top. though the
wall on this side is II or Is feet high.
Along this wall on the inside is a raised
walk or rampant extending from end to end,
which is available any time for burial puT-
poses as il is vacant ground. On the outer
border is a row of fine elm trees which add
greatly 10 the general beauty OF the sur
roundings and suggest a majestic sentinel
group keeping silent vigil over sleeping
friends. The grounds are divided with
artistic skill, and would were il not for the
tombs and monuments. present The appear
ance OF beautiful garden on which the
landscape artist had expended his best
efforts. AT the northeast corner is the en-
trance, protected by strong but neat iron
gate on each side of which is an iron rail-
ing extending 20 feet on one side and % Oh
is the lodge, the first story of which is of
stone with double archway and portico.
1t contains rooms, and is always in perfect
order, inside as well as outside Though
Capt. Ayres is an old bachelor and 65 wears
OF age, his apartments could not be better
kept or present neater appearance if he
were Mormon elder and enjoyed all the
housekeeping facilities which that favored
mortal l. supposed to possess
In the rear OF the lodge is a one story, two
room building also of stone and brick. for
the accommodation Of the laborers. In adj
dition to the city water main of San Cosme
there is a surface well which yields good
water for cemetery uses. The cemetery has
no drainage, but owing TO the fact that on
The east there is a deep ditch and on the west
the river, the bed OF which is much lower
than the level Of the cemetery. the lack OF
drainage is not much Of detriment.
The graves and walks are kept neat and
clean, and in addition 10 the plants and
flowers which adorn the whole. the friends
OF the dead seem true 10 their love and friend
SHIPS FOR there are but few graves on which
are not 10 be found the floral mementos Of
love and friendship. Beneath the soil rest
no hiustlous hero or poet or statesman. and
upon the surface is reared no splendid nionu-
wealth and importance aud social dignity.
In compensation, however, there are beauty
and simplicity. and as impressive demon
STATIONS Of holy love as wealth could make.
Tie only heroes who sleep in the ground
are nameless ones, the $50 soldiers who were
killed by the enginery of war on the plains
OF Mexico, and the bones these arc mingled
together IN a single grave. In memory OF
these simple granite shaft about six feet
high has beer raised at the south end 1t
stands on square pedestal and on top has a
torch Of dimButiYe size made also of dark
granite. On one side is the inscription:
To Tho memory ~ ,le American
Soldiers WHO reTisicd IN this
valley ~ isf7. whose bones.
Collected by their country's orders
Arc here buried.
On The other side is a marble tablet in
serted IN the granite on which are written
without comment:
Conirerss
Ginrstbuseo
Molino del Isey
Chapultcpee
Mexico.