Our Neighbor-Mexico/APPENDIX D
the chief feature of the Indian worship consists in dances inside the church, which is of great size. Eye-witnesses assure me that at one time can be seen as many as sixteen distinct groups of dancers, each group with its separate band of music, all playing different tunes at the same time, and the worshipers tripping it merrily in different dances, producing a Babel confusion and a grotesque pantomime, which baffles description.
"These are of daily occurrence, and are a true and faithful specimen of the spiritual condition of the Mexican Indians of to-day."
APPENDIX D.
The following placard and commentary show something of the perils our cause has to undergo. Their dates are late, and they, or others like them, we fear, are not yet concluded.
[Translated from El Monitor Republicano, September 27, 1873.]
DEATH TO THE PROTESTANTS!!
"To the People of Toluca,—Either you are Catholic by name, or Catholics in fact. If you are Catholics in faith, give a terrible blow to these savages, intruders, and adventurers, who, to make themselves appear wise and important, and to assure to themselves a future without labor, attempt that which they do not understand—that band of filthy scoundrels, deluded sons of all the devils. Let us rise en masse to finish at once this accursed race, whose proper place is in hell, which is not complete without them. With one sure blow insure their death and the death of their families. Let a fiery death exterminate this sect of accursed wretches, who attempt to overthrow the Apostolic Roman Catholic religion, in which we will live and die.
"Unfurl proudly the standard of the Faith, and shout, 'Long live the religion! Viva la religion!! Death to the sons of Satan!!!'"
[Translated from the Revista Universal, Mexico, October 29, 1873.]
"ACTIONS OF GOOD CATHOLICS.
"ASSAULT ON THE HOUSE OF A PROTESTANT.
"HE AND HIS AGED PARENTS ARE WOUNDED BY THE PSEUDO-CATHOLICS.
"LAUDABLE CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MEXICO.
"A few days ago we published a placard, which was circulated in Toluca, directed against the Protestants of that city, and exciting the 'good Catholics' to try to kill all the said Protestants in those parts.
"So it seems that the excitement is extending. We have tidings from Toluca in which we are informed that a Mr. Valero, an invalid, was attacked in his own house in Metepec by a party of 'good Catholics,' who, armed with swords and muskets, entered the dwelling of said Protestant, wounding him, and then left him nearly dead.
"Of course those barbarians did not make their incursion without insulting and using filthy words toward the Christians, and the unfortunate Valero's mother, whom they also wounded.
"The aged father was also seriously wounded by the 'bandidos religiosos,' and it is greatly feared that his son will die shortly.
"The Governor of the State has put forth energetic measures for the apprehension of these invaders, and those upon whom the responsibility rests of executing justice with them will fulfill their duty; these infractors will see that such perpetrations will not escape the power of justice."
THE END.