The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-03-28

No better setting for the fight to de
eide whether Francis |. Madero or Fe
lix Diaz should rule in Mexico could
have been picked out by the best OF
stage managers than the historic Plaza
de la Constitution, the largest open
space in the City Of Mexico Upon this
front the most important buildings OF
the capital, in themselves combining
memories of the past glories and great
events Of the country. In its day, 4OC
years ago, the geographical center OF
the great Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan
the plaza, also known as the Plaza de
Armas, the Plaza Mayor. the Plaza dc
la Catedral and the Zocalo--has wit
messed scores of stirring events. The
most tragic feature of the present con.
fiict. perhaps, is that it threatens de
struction TO some OF the most distin-
guished monuments of Mexico's great
ness, links in the chain OF tradition
which binds this Mexico OF recurrent
revolt and modern aspiration with the
days Of the Conquistadores, of COrtes
and Alvarado.
Temple of Aztec God.
On this Plaza de la Constitution
stood the teocalli or temple of HuitzilO-
pochtli, the Aztec god of war, and part
Of it was included in the gardens sur
rounding the enormous palace of Mon
tezuma, the Aztec emperor Converg-
ing canals crossed its surface, inter
secting ii with impossible barriers.
Here in 1921 was fought one of the
most sanguinary battles between the
Spaniards and the natives, and after
the fall of Nenochtitlan before the
might of Cortes' arms the Spania rds
revenged themselves for all their suf
ferings by wrecking the massive tenn
pies and palaces that ringed the square
and using the material thus obtained to
ill In the canals. AS it stands today, in
fact, the plaza is depository of quaint
Aztec sculptures, which every now and
then are brought to light by the pick
of the laborer.
Here In the plaza, after the Spanish
rule had been set up, the gallows was
built and the dread auto-de-fe of the
inqulsition was held. On Sept n.
1921, Augustin de Iturbide rode into
the square at the head of his victorious
army and was cheered as a liberator,
and on the night of May IS, 1922, he
and his wife crossed the square to the
cathedral to be crowned first Christian
emperor and empress of Mexico. In
this vicinity centered the great revolu-
tionary riot of December, 1928, and the
American troops bivouacked I'm the
plaza in 1S47. during the occupation by
Scott's army. In 1864 1t was the cen
ter of the gay events of Maximilian's
brief reign. and here, too, on June q.
1867, Porfrio Diaz was welcomed as a
liberator, even as was Iturbide. And
SO X went through the rest Of the cen
tury.
The Palacio Nacionai.
The Palacio Nacional extends along
the entire eastern side of the plaza.
with a frontage OF 675 feet, and occu-
pies an entire city block. 1t is gigan-
tic mass of buildings, two stories high.
with thick and ponderous walls, pierced
by a dozen or more patios and gate
ways, and housing dozen or so Of the
government offices as well as a mu.
scum, galleries Of records and suits OF
state apartments. An army could be
hidden away In the hundreds Of echo
ing rooms and corridors contained I'm
its labyrinthine bulk. and its walls are
impervious to all but the heavy cannon.
A part of the extreme rear of the pile
constructed Of a peculiar pink native
stone was built by Cortes.