September 14, 1952
By CLEOFAS CALLEROS
“Viva Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla!” “Vivan los heroes de la Independencia!” “Viva Mexico!” Those
are the cries that will be raised, at exactly 11 p.m. Monday by
thousands of executives throughout Mexico, from the president of the
Republic to the humblest of the Presidentes Municipales. The voices
will ring out to commemorate the famous “Grito de Dolores”
which Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla gave at the start of the revolution on
Sept. 15, 1910, that eventually resulted in Mexican Independence. The
16th de Septiembre Patriotic Fiesta is celebrated in every city, town,
hamlet, nook and corner of Mexico. It is that country’s Fourth of –
celebrated and honored by all of its social classes. The gala
event begins with a literary-musical program, termed the “Velada,” on
the evening of Sept. 15. It is of a somewhat serious nature, with the
presentation of poems and well-prepared addresses of a patriotic theme.
National songs till the air and the unity of Mexico is rededicated. At
precisely 11 o’clock the program is over. All eyes turn toward El
Presidente at his station in the National Palace, where he unfurls the
Mexican National Emblem. “Viva Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla!”
“Vivan los heroes de la Independencia!” “Viva Mexico!” The crowd
repeats him, cheers him – far into the night. And at the same
time, in every large city in the world where Mexicans reside, a similar
celebration is observed. The Mexican council usually does the honors,
but if there is no such official, then the President de la Junta
Patriotica fills his place. The “Velada” has been held in El Paso for
many, many years. MORNING PARADE With the dawn of the 16th
of September, those who have not stayed up all night, and their number
is few, rise to attend a colorful, historic morning parade Every
military unit in Mexico participates, joined by school children and
civic-labor groups. Floats, artistically designed, and depicting
historical events descriptive of the Revolution, are entered by
contesting merchants. The fiesta continues throughout the day and again
far into the night. The Revolution out of which Mexican
Independence from Spain resulted is a courageous chapter in world
history. Initiated by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, against overwhelming
adversities, it often appeared to be doomed to failure. Delgado himself
was captured, and executed on July 30, 1811, following his staunchest
supporters, Alende, Aldama, and Jimenez, who had been tried as traitors
and executed in Chihuahua on June 26, 1811. But rebellious fire
flamed in Mexico’s heart, and the Revolution gained impetus. Other
Hidalgo followers assumed its leadership, and on Sept. 28, 1821, some
10 years later, the “Consumacion de La Independencia” was realized.
Mexico was free and wholly independent from the Kingdom of Spain which
had since 1519 held her in its clutch! There are many interesting
notations to be made concerning the Revolutionary years. Between those
years four viceroys represented King Ferdinand Vii, the last being Don
Juan O’Donoju, the 62nd Viceroy of Mexico. History often attaches to
the distinguished gentlemen the title of Jefe Superior de la Nueva
Espana. ITURBIDE CROWNED After its independence had been
declared, Iturbide was proclaimed first Emperor of Mexico, and was
crowned on July 21, 1822. The first Federal Constitution was adopted by
the Mexican Congress on Oct. 4, 1824, and Gen. Miguel Antonio Fernandez
Felix was elected the first Presidents. History refers to him as Gen.
Guadalupe Victoria. Gen. Nicolas Bravo was elected vice-president. Both
took the oath of office on Oct. 19, 1824. Hernan Cortez had
landed at Vera Cruz in 1519 to conquer the New Land. Now that land was
the conqueror, the winner, the aggressor. In olden days Juarez
and El Paso would join hands in the celebration of the 15-16 of
September festivities, but now with so many passport regulations and
restrictions separate fiestas have been held lately. This year’s
fiesta in Juarez will commence at the American Consulate where El Paso
officials and guests of the Juarez mayor will gather at 8:30 p.m.
Monday and proceed in a body at 9:30 p.m. to the Juarez City Hall where
Mayor Victor M. Ortiz will deliver the Grito – the call to battle uttered 142 years ago by Padre Hidalgo to begin the revolt against Spain. Following the Velada and the Grito ceremonies, the guest will attend the cotton fair at the Juarez Monument and then a dance in the Juarez Casino. In El Paso, col. Raul Michel, Mexican consul general, will officiate at the Velada-Grito ceremonies in Liberty hall. The celebration begins at 8:30 p.m. Monday and is open to the public. Juarez and El Paso love parades, what say we have an interchange of hose elaborate and colorful parades of yesteryear!
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