Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-04
Nse, Rs~A~A
Omd 9m4ans>A-e
D. vT0Foa nogHwAFNn.

ii Paris was Mexico's grand old man" Whatever
dark spots there may be the record OF his
long rule what he accomplished for Mexico and the
Mexicans will constitute the biggest chapter In the
history OF that country whenever is written saw
and Dsz just before the outbreak OF the Madero
revolution. almost five years ago. when he was
the central figure Of the festivities marking century
OF Mexican independence. and his death makes my
observations Of that at the time again pertinent
the celebration Of centennial anniversary Of
Mexicos first blow freedom the ceremonies have
the ringing again by the president OF tho
republic OF the selfsame bell upon which the curate
IidsIgo sounded forth his "Gro de Dolores just 100
years before. BY peculiar coincidence the birthday
Of President Diaz also falls the OF this date
affording opportunity to make the holiday honor
the personality OF the ruler well the idea OF self
government which his rule is supposed to typify.
IL was our fortune to witness from specially good
vantage ground the principal headline acts the
centennial program We TO have audience
with the president and view the historic pageant from
the palace Comparatively little difficulty
countered IA gaining admittance to the building and
only the usual waits for turn for presentation OF
course. not the only ones-in fact we were
the somber among the gaily dressed diplomats
and brightly uniformed officers. provincial digntares
in native gala garb and palace attaches attired with
equal brliance. Az the line moved slowly through
chamber after another could examine the rich fur
niture and handsome wall decorations At the far end
Of the last the visitors passed In front Of raised
platform which the president stood with his cabinet
members behind him. He shook hands each person
the greetns.
said
II am very pleased" he replied.
AS surveyed him hastily he did not look 50 years
old. His hair and mustache. to be sure are growing
white but strong reminders the Jet black they
HIS eye is keen and his facial features
firm, but notlceably lined by age He simple
evening dress with broad silk band of the Mexican
trcoor-green, white and redaeross the shirt bosom
He did not to be tail had expected
probably five feet eight nches-hut then he looked
more impressive the next day. when saw him driving
past in full military uniform and coat breast laden
with giIttering decorations and jeweled insignia OF
honorary rank.
All this was but a prelude to the grand historical
pageant which was 10 portray the striking in
Mexico's onward progress In front OF the palace
stretching far as the could reach dense
mass OF humanity It would be a rash guess to
hazard estimatesurely not than 1000 people
and the efforts of police and soldiers keep open
the space In front OF the reviewing windows in
vain. The Aztecs. headed by Montezuma. accompanied
by their different tribal allies to march forth
TO receive corez and his Spanish invaders with their
native auxilartes TO get the costumes appoint
nents nearly correct possible. books and pic
toral charts IN the libraries OF two worlds had
ransacked, and have doubt that the procession
which we watched nearly counterpart. OK
cept in numbers, as that famous historical company
could have at this late day. Montezuma and his war
riors were indeed Respondent in every color of tho
rainbow; they were not equipped however, for COM
batting the Spaniards. crude as were their imple-
mens of war. and the stories OF those frightfu CON-
flicts understandable this ocular de.
monstrstion of the unequalIy matched forces
FollowfAg the mummers five or six allegorical
floats enbenatic of agriculture and industry
tain states OF the federal union The floats were more
| or less on the order OF Ak-Sar-Ben floats vet
without the electrical umination and being for day
light use perhaps little more finished In appear
ance. They tastefuy designed and not over
! loaded and the living tableaux at least at
traetvey selected figures su naturslle and not
| en- masque
The evening demonstration found the plaza II any
| thing stu more crowded than did the morning
pageant The time the fatefuI hour Of was de
voted TO band concerts, iuminations and fireworks
outside the palace. and reception within IL
The guests merely promenadcd up and down the long
/ state chambers talked In clustered about
the windows. 1t was official gathering. such a
party as may be at diplomatic reception in our
own White House. but believe less brilliant The
women were iuxuriously gowned and jeweled but
hardly UP TO our standards OF feminine beauty
Precisely at the hour the president waved silk
green-white red flag across the window and pulled
gold cord that brought peala from the bell which
| great Hidalgo once sounded. From the multitude
below came tremendous shout. the bands began 70
play raned the fire-outined towers AMI
dome OF the cathedral and the church bells through
out the city Changed and beloved IL mad. This
performance. am told. Is gone through every year
the OF the 18th September but OF the
| one hundredth performance entitled to an extra
halo and inspired with accelerated patriotism.
Strange, is y not. that Mexico should have a
| Liberty Bell corresponding closely 20 famous
old Liberty Bell which Is about to trip across
the continent. and stop off In Omaha" the way?
The Mexican Liberty Bell hanging up close the
caves OF the National palace. Is easily examined
our own. where 1t Is exhibited In Independence hall
In philadelphia. One see however that Il is a
very much smaller bell clear tone proves tina,
It has not been cracked by in the cause Of
liberty But for Mexicans II the same pa.
triotc fervor that Liberty Bell viii excite among
the thousands upon thousands OF young and old Al
they view for the first time and are reminded by
II OF the stirring deeds out OF which the birth
of the wonderful American republic. which are al
acclaiming today.