Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1884 — MEXICO’S GRAND PALACE. [ARTICLE]

MEXICO’S GRAND PALACE.

Where Thousands of Human Victims Were Slaughtered—Maximilian's Carriage of State—A National Portrait Gallery. The “Palacio Del Gobemo” of republican Mexico was built by its kingly oppressors. This ’ magnificent structure, occupying an entire square 675 feet in length, built around half a dozen interior patios, or open courts, was commenced by the Aztecs, and finished by Cortez and his Spanish viceroyal successors. It is situated in the east side of the square, which is south of the cathedral. This square is the most beautiful in the city, being laid out after the European fashion, ornamented with flowering shrubs and eucalyptus trees, and adorned with statues by the unfortunate Carlotta. This is also the place where the famous Teocali, or sacred place of the Aztecs, was situated, and where at least twenty thousand human victims were annually slaughtered. Passing in at the central entrance of this building, where dusky soldiers were walking their beats, and many others “off duty” were lounging around, giving it more the appearance of a monarchical palace than a republican capitol, we saw before us the central patio, or court. It is about one hundred feet square, surrounded by large, heavy stone pillars, thirty feet high, supporting on its round-headed arches a magnificent balcony. This also being faced with arches, produces a very imposing aspect. We were introduced to the officer of the day, who kindly showed us the interesting parts of the palace. An opportunity was here afforded us for seeing Maximilian’s carriage of state, concerning the magnificence of which so much has been said. As the guard qpened a heavily locked door, our eyes fell upon a carriage of great splendor, at least ten feet high and twenty feet long, ornamented with rich gildings*covering all the wood work, figures of cherubs, arms of Mexico, surmounted by heavy silver work and eight very large panels of plate glass. These are thick enough to deflect a rifle ball not striking it perpendicularly, and even then the only danger would be from the pieces of broken glass. The inside was trimmed with rich white damask and silver braid. This elegant carriage, drawn along the paseo, with its prancing steeds, with uniformed drivers, liveried footmen, and the royal personages clad in rich robes of state, was designed to impress the lovers of parade and show. A magnificent flight of stone stairs, twelve feet wide, leads up from the patio to the main rooms in the second story. Going up this stairway we find the offices of the republic. The President and the Secretaries of the Army and Navy have offices here. Here also is the hall of the Senate, and above, on the roof, the central meteorological observatory, with the best telescope in Mexico.

We passed through several anterooms in which were huge marble vases, exquisite in workmanship, with the arms of Mexico upon them. This coat-of-arms, which was also painted on the window-shades, consists of an eagle with extended wings sitting on a cactus plant and contending with a serpent. It is the old symbol of the Aztecs. We then came to the Ambassadors’ Hall, three hundred feet long and twenty-five wide. This room is lighted by fifty candelabra, and six very large chandeliers covered with crystal pendants. It is also arranged so as to be capable of division into smaller rooms by means of crimson curtains. Mexico has sought to impress its own history on its foreign ambassadors by putting on the walls of this pantheon the portraits of its republican heroes. First comes Hidalgo, an insurgent priest, who was killed while endeavoring to secure the liberty of Mexico. His portrait is accompanied by that of another priest, Morales; then Guerrero; Iturbide, who attempted to become Emperor; Juarez, the famous Indian President; Diaz, who is likely to become President again next year; Mina Arista, who was prominent in the negotiations that brought the war with the United States to a close; and, lastly, another priest, named Matamoras. One American has been admitted to this hall—namely, Washington. In this hall is a large painting, twenty-seven feet long, showing the battle of Puebla, on the Cince de Mayo, when the Mexicans defeated the French. It is to be remembered that in this battle, when the national existence was at stake, the Mexicans, especially the Indians, fought with more courage than ever before. At one side of this painting is a bust of Gen. Largoroza, the leader of the Mexicans in this battle.

Thus this imposing room is designed to preserve the important facts and factors of the history of the republic, to immortalize its Mexican heroes, to stimulate patriotism, and insure the devotion of all observers to the future welfare of the state.— Cor. Denver News.