The National tribune., 1904-07-28
IN MEXICO.
Enthusiastic Celebration OF the Fourth OF
July by the American Colony In Mexico

Comrade J. ]. Fitzgerrell. Past Depart
ment Commander, Department of New
Mexico. writes from Mexico, July 3:
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: No doubt
all our comrades will be interested TO
know how the Government of the United
States. for which they gave four years Of
the best years of their lives to perpetuate,
is regarded in foreign lands. l send you
IA copy of the address of welcome made BIZ
Comrade Gen. Clayton the American EN-
bassador to the Republic, at the celebra-
ton by the American Colony on the glori-
GUS Fourth of July. The day was observed
by the American Colony here, several thou
sand strong, with great enthusiasm. The
exercises were attended by President por-
firio Diaz, his Cabinet. and the Diplomatic
Corps stationed at this Capital.
President Diaz fingered on the grounds
several hours, fraternizing with the Ameri-
can people assembled, and seemed to enjoy
the exercises and the program of sports of
the day. equal to any one present
His speech at the luncheon given by the
American Colony in his honor, which I
Inclose, IS beautiful message of good
will to the American people, spoken from
the heart that will be highly appreciated
by our old comrades, who feel the weight
of declining years. Ii will make the blood
in their veins quicken when they recall the
fact that the suffering and hardships of
four years of faithful service TO their
country was not in vain. The glory of
their achievements is now recognized by
every ruler and nation in the civilized
world.
The inclosed clippings are from the
Mexican papers, and state that the bust
ness houses were closed and that the resi-
dences were handsomely decorated with
the Stars and Stripes, the picture of
George Washington being displayed on the
American Embassy, surrounded by flags
and flowers
| In rising to speak President Diaz was
loudly applauded and all the company stood
during his address.
The President said: "Mr. Ambassador !:
Gentlemen All cultured nations have in
their annals suspicious dates which they
| commemorate periodically with manifesto
tions of public rejoicings But none is
celebrated by nations with so much enthu-
siasm as that which calls 70 mind the
happy day on which they entered the con-
cert of free and selfgorerning peoples.
"On this day, July the Fourth, through
out the length and breadth Of the Ameri-
can Republic and all over the world wher-
ever Americans are gathered together, the
birth of that great power to the life OF
| free nations is commemorated. This is an
| anniversary that deserves to be celebrated
not only by Americans but by all who have
at heart the progress of humanity. This
| is not only the anniversary Of the coming
into being of new power but is day on
which to contemplate that powers great
| achievements in every department of hu-
man knowledge and human endeavor,
| achievements which challenge the admira-
| ton of the civilized world not only on ac-
count of their magnitude but on account Of
the relatively short time in which they
have been accomplished.
"To honor this anniversary and that
progress, let US lift our glasses, Gentle
men, expressing the hope that that great
Republic, which is the model and pride Of
popular representative institutions, may
for centuries keep on the road of increas-
| ing prosperity which it owes to the lofty
patriotism Of its founders and the enter
prise, tireless industry and inventive
genius Of its sons. Let us drink, too. to
the personal felicity of it's worthy Presi-
dent, Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, of the es-
| teemed personnel of the United States EN-
bassy, and Of all Americans in Mexico.
May they in this land of their friends en-
| joy the full measure of happiness which
would be the lot Washington and his illus
trous compeers could they rise to contem-
plate the grand consummation of their
work and the realization of their fondest
and most patriotic ambitions"
The President was loudly applauded.