Page:Life in Mexico vol 2.djvu/200

180 of great value. "Yesterday morning," says the newspaper of the day, "a general pealing of the bells and the usual salutes, announced to the capital that it was a day of rewards and of universal joy. At twelve o'clock his Excellency the President of the Republic, went to the palace, to fulfil the formality of closing the sessions, and to receive from the hands of the President of the Chamber of Deputies, the diploma and cross of honor mentioned in the decrees of the second of March and second of May of this year. An immense multitude occupied the galleries; and the President, Don J. Maria Bravo, addressed his Excellency General Bustamante, in the following speech:

"Citizen General, and illustrious President—Nations never forget the distinguished services that are done to them, nor fail to reward those heroic actions performed for the common good. Sooner or later they show themselves grateful, and reward as they ought their good and valiant servants. The Mexican nation has not forgotten yours, and its Congress has ever borne in mind those which you performed for it at that happy period when the unfortunate hero of Iguala, causing the voice of freedom to resound to the remotest lands of the Mexican territory, gave a terrible lesson to those who wish to subdue weak nations, with no other title than that of strength. You were one of the first and most valiant chiefs, who placed by his side, assisted in this important and happy work; you it was who shewed to the tyrant in the fields of Juchi, Aztcapozalco and others, that the sword of the Mexicans once unsheathed for liberty