Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-02-23

I Congress will establish a Normal Coll
| lege, and that the Cuban people will en-
joy educational benefits like those which
the Mexican people seem determined to
have for themselves.
Tn educational work Of Mexica Is at
once the evidence of enlightenment al
ready achieved and the prophecy of still
greater progress in the immediate future.
The clouds of ignorance and superstition
which have so long rested on this peopl7
are lifting. They will be entirely dispers-
ed before the first half of the twentieth
century has passed. The Mexicans are
going to be free in mind and heart. as in
political government.
On yesterday 1 read in the Mexican
Herald the following press dispatch
from Oaxaca, which is a symptom of in
tellectual progress and moral enlighten-
ment:
"OAxACA, Feb. IA new Juan Diego
has appeared in the district of Ella. He
claimed to have seen a vision of the Vir-
J gin of Guadalupe and induced a number
! of the residents of one Of the towns to
accompany him to the cave where he had
! seen the image. After several hours of
walking the place was found and in a
recess in the rock stood a poor painting
of the virgin.
"The Indians were greatly impressed
and began to shower presents of money
and other objects on the new Juan Diego.
The man of visions Immediately pur-
! chased horse, new clothes and began
preparations for making his life easy
In order to hasten the movement, he
collected number of followers and jour
neyed to the district-seat where many
were persuaded to contribute to a church
which was to be erected on the spot as
well as giving something to the sainted
! Juan
1.-THE matter soon came to the ears OF
the authorities and now Juan Diego No.
and his image are in jail awaiting trial
! for receiving money under false pre-
lenses"
Fifty years ago this new Juan Diego"
would have been successful in winning
money and honor by his purported vision.
Now he goes to jail for receiving money
under false pretenses! Juan may see vis-
ions of penal service in Yucatan IL he is ,
not more careful Mexico has her Dyes
open. 1t is broad daylight in the land of
Benito Juarez and Porfirio Diaz. The mid
day of its enlightenment is approaching
rapidly.
The government is entirely separated
from ecclesiastic connections. The union
OF church and state is jealousy and zeal
ously opposed by an overwhelming ma
jority of the people. An incident which
occurred on February II, when the new
archbishop OF Mexico was solemnly in
augurated, will serve to show how sensi-
tive the Mexicans are on this subject. On
the occasion of Archbishop Jose Mora's
induction into his Office the national flag
was hoisted on the Cathedral, which act
was interpreted as implying official recog-
milton of the archbishop and his church,
which recognition the reform laws strictly
prohibit The flag was seen floating over
the Cathedral by the military commands
ant of the garrison, General Rascon, and
he notified the Secretary OF War who in
turn referred the matter to President
Diaz for decision. After inquiry into the
matter the President sent orders to have
the flag hauled down, and Captain Acosta,
of the police department. Immediately sent
one of his assistants to execute the order
and to see that the laws of reform were
not violated.
Mexico Nuevo. the organ Of the IAber-
ais, published the following account OF
the incident:
"A discordant note in connection with
the manifestation was the hosting OF the
national flag over the cathedral
1T is not exactly known what ecclesias-
teal authority was responsible for so
strange an idea; but the fact remains that
It attracted much attention on the part OF
the inhabitants of the metropolis to see
our national ensign flying on that build
ing in connection with a ceremony that
was purely clerical; and the case was
the more fragrant in that the flag was
hoisted in sight of the national palace and
the governments offices.
Some people believe that IL was in
tended a slight to our reform laws;
others attribute it to repTesensible ignor-
ance; but in either case the matter could
not be allowed to pass a moment without
action being taken.
General Eugenio Rascon, military COM
11-wmA - H. -
of his offices could see the flag flying
above the cathedral and realizing the inn
portance of this fact. he Immediately went
to see General Manuel Gonzalez CosIo
minister of war, who in turn sought an
interview with General Diaz in order that
a matter so seriously affecting the con-
sideration I'm which our flag ought to be
held, might be decided.
"The governor of the Federal District
was sent for and ii transpired that he
had not given any authorization for the
display of our flag, and as result it was
promptly hauled down.
Sad, very sad, is it to have to record
this fact and let 1t not be supposed that
we protest against it out of mere jacobin- 4
ism; but because we consider it very !
bad symptom of the times and as an in
dication that it is going to be necessary
whatever may be said to the contrary-to
retouch and reinvigorate the work of our
immortal reformers."
1 am not at all surprised at this act OF
President DfaZ. In a private interview
some years ago, heard him express him
self in the most emphatic terms against
any connection Of church and state in
Mexico. He utterly abhors the idea, and
no union of church and state will ever
again exist In the land Of the Montezu-
mas. Mexico will take no backward step
in this matter. nor in any other import
ant matter will the reactionaries be per-
mitted to have their way. Mexico Nuevo,
the paper, need not be alarmed about the
peymanence Of new Mexico the repub-
lie; for It has come to stay.
w. A. GAMBLER
City of Mexico, Feb. IA, 1903.