The copper era., 1905-09-21
MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE.
Biggest Celebration Ever Given in Clifton
 Passed off Pleasantly.

anniversary of the Independence O
 the Republic of Mexico by the locd
 Mexican American citizens ha
 passed into history, and will long bt
 remembered as one of the mos
 pleasant affairs of the kind ever
 given in Graham county. The cele
 bration had been extensively adver
 tised, and as a result it was esti
 mated that not less than three thous
 and people attended, coming in from
 all parts of the county. Nearly the
 entire population of Metcalf was
 present, and also many hundreds
 from MOrenci lent their presence tC
 enliven the occasion. It can be said
 to the credit of the Mexican popula-
 tion that not single unpleasant in-
 cident occurred during the day or the night to mar the pleasures of the celebration It is quite remark able that such large crowd gath cred for a celebration of this kind should conduct themselves with such perfect decorum. However, they all joined in the gaiety of the occasion, and all succeeded in having a royal good time.
 This celebration is to the Mexicans what the Fourth of July is to the patriotic American, while the name of Hidalgo stands on pedestal of fame equal to that of our beloved Washington. It was on the night of the 18th day of September, 1910, that Hidalgo declared the revolt which ultimately resulted in the complete independence of the Mexican people, though not without long and sanguinary struggle in which he lost his life. He was a priest of the village ot Dolores. His proclamation was issued to the pub. lie on the morning of the 16th. Realizing that the proclama tion meant revolution, he hastily gath cred small army of patriots, and arming them with any old kind of fighting implements, he sallied forth to meet the enemy. The revolt was premature, as the small band of men under his command were not trained in the art of warfare, and even had they been, they lacked the arms to put themselves on an equal footing with the regular soldiers. On the Both of the following October Hi dalgo gave battle to the enemy, and in this engagement he was victorious, which greatly strengthened his cause with the people, but in later engage ments the small army of patriots was defeated; and on, the first day of August following he was executed at Chihuahua City. However the bat ties for independence continued, and finally resulted in the establishment of the Mexican republic. It is no wonder that the Mexican people revere the name of Hidalgo, who gave his life for the liberty of his people, and through whose efforts the republic was eventually founded.
 The celebration began Friday night by speeches, music and songs at the large pavilion which had been erected on Chase creek especially for the occasion. On Saturday a procession was formed which marched through the princi- pal streets. There were two queens in the procession, each sitting on handsomely decorated with the national colors of Mexico and the United States. Senorita Con- ception Ontiveras represented the United States and Senorita Anita Gallegos the Republic of Mexico. The young ladies were handsomely and appropriately gowned, and ehcited much applause. In the af- ternoon speeches were made by the | queens and also by Edward Gomez, Dan M. Lynch, R. Cedillos, Refugio l 6. Murillo, Balente Alvares, F. Onti- veros, SenOrita Marie Ontiveras, | Daniel Garcia and ST. Hernandez.
 There were fireworks at night and | q grand baile at the pavilion, in | which several hundred couples par ticipated.
 The officers were as follows: Presi- | lent, Bruno de la O; vice-president, Pillar N. Machado; Sec'y, Francisco Gonzales; treasurer, B. Blanco. The grand success of the entertainment | vas largely due to the manner in which these officers performed their luties.