Visit to Pres Diaz

Sullivan Richardson stories

THE VISIT TO PRESIDENT PORFERIO DIAZ IN MEXICO CITY

by Sullivan Calvin Richardson

We reached Casas Grandes River in Chihuahua, Mexico, March 17, 1885. Two or three weeks later the owners wanted their land so we moved our camp about a mile from the river to the northeast. There we built mud walls, etc. and while living in wagon boxes we rented land on the river above and began to fix for planting corn and summer crops.

We had hardly got settled in this way when orders came from the Governor of Chihuahua for us to leave the state. It was soon followed by the gentle assurance that if we were not out in three weeks the state militia might help us across the line.

After their experience with the Texans who settled in their country, then after a little revolt, gave all that state to the United States, it cannot be wondered at that they were suspicious of Americans.

By that time quite large crops were being planted and Apostle George Teasdale took S. C. Richardson and went to Casas Grandes, the County Seat, to explain conditions to the Jefe Politico and through him to the Governor, what had been done and that it would be impossible to move out in that time.

Before we went in that morning, there was an earnest prayer from an apostle and his incompetent interpreter. The first was a wonderful petition, and its influence seemed to go with us into the Jefe's office. There was certainly all the kindly attention and good will one could ask, so much so that Apostle Teasdale patted his interpreter on the shoulder as we came out and said, "An answer to our prayer this morning:"

But the only response from the Governor was another message giving us six weeks and again assurance of the power in the state militia to aid us in case it was hard to move.

Word had been sent to the authorities of the Church and these were the conditions when Apostle Moses Thatcher came. He, with two of our brethren from the colonies, went to the City of Mexico to lay the case before President Diaz.

This is their experience as near as I could write it down on their return:

In the Capitol Building, in front of the President's office is a medium sized ante room, with seats around the wall where those who wish to see the President go and take a seat and await their turn to be called in.

The brethren took their place there in the morning, and though from all around them one after another was called, their turn did not come and they sat there all day.

Next day it was the same, and Brother Thatcher laughingly spoke of the "thrills?" one gets 'til he learns to speak and look with a smile on his face though he may have colic in his stomach. But at the close of the whole day, tired and discouraged, they returned to their room and to prayer. It was getting serious.

The next morning Apostle Thatcher comforted them by saying, "Brethren, we shall have success today." and related a dream given him. He said he thought they were trying to get to the top of a very steep hill. It was a case of necessity, yet they could make no headway. At last, looking around, he saw a withered reed, or rush, and wondered if that might help a little. He took hold of it and found a strength that was surprising, and immediately they were on top.

As on the other days, they sat in the little ante room for some time when the door opened and a little one armed, onelegged man came out and hobbled around the room with the aid of a crutch. He had a bright, cheery smile and a pleasant word for everyone. (The brethren learned that on that "5th of May" when the French were driven into the Gulf of Mexico, he was one of President Diaz's most able generals. His being "part of a man" was the price he paid for their liberty from French rule. But he was as much at home with President Diaz as in his own home.

When Apostle Thatcher saw him, he leaned over and whispered, "There is our wrinkled reed!"

As one after another was greeted, it was plain that all honored him, and though only "part of him was left", he was ALL there. Coming to the brethren, he pleasantly greeted them with a smiling "Good morning:" and asked where they were from.

They told him "From Chihuahua": "Oh, I am glad to see you. We have some Mormon colonies out there that we are much interested in. Do you happen to know anything of them?" On being informed that it was on account of trouble in regard to them that they were there, and of their waiting for an opportunity to see the President, he said, "Two days: We'll see about that!"

He hurried back into the other room and when the door opened again, they were called in. President Diaz asked a few questions, and while they explained, he was writing a message which he handed to one in waiting and said, "Take this to the telegraph office immediately:" Then, turning to Apostle Thatcher, continued: "Gentlemen, we can't talk here. Come and take dinner with me." and gave them the time and place.

He had telegraphed the Governor of Chihuahua, "YOU LET THE MORMON COLONIES ENTIRELY ALONE." with the seal of the nation and signed by the President of Mexico.

When at dinner he said, "Gentlemen, we really prize you Mormon people. And why is perhaps better explained by telling you of my visit to (I think) the World's Fair." (This is the story as nearly as I could give it.)

When they were traveling through the states, everywhere they were banqueted, feted, and complimented. Toasts and eulogies of all kinds were given to the representatives of our Sister Republic on the South. They noted that in the last ten years, under the able guidance of our honored guest, an illustrious visitor, Mexico has made marvelous progress and is now coming into wonderful prominence among the nations. We are proud to welcome and honor him.

He soon became tired of the continued eulogy in the same line, and in (I think) St. Louis, he responded to their sentiments of esteem, and after expressing his appreciation, added, "Gentlemen, I would like to make plain a little mistake in regard to the credit given to Mexico for the last ten years; and rectify it. To do so I must go back to the beginning of these two nations. When Columbus discovered our continent and your forefathers came from the Old World to colonize the United States, they brought with them their wives and children, with all that could help in their civilized condition. They settled one of the finest, most favorable regions in the world which has good climate, good water, the best of land, and all the advantages of water power; in fact, every favorable condition for manufacturing and progress. They drove the Indians back and took their land. They held that having families, schools and churches were a necessity. Manufacturing and factories were built up to provide clothing and farm implements. Under such conditions, how could a people FAIL to advance in science and art? What could possibly result but greatest improvement, railroads, telegraph lines, the finest of machinery and every utility for comfort and education?

More people came. The Indians were drived farther back and their lands taken. With war and bloodshed they have been compelled to leave their hunting grounds and game, until now the original owners of the country are cooped up on a few reservations.

True, you are partially providing for them, but where are their buffalo and their game? and the comforts and pleasures of life they used to have? Those who came, rule their lands, their homes, while your children have grown up under these most favorable conditions. Is it any wonder that science, art, education, every line of progress, has been made wonderful strides? How could it be otherwise?

Now let us look at the difference in conditions in early Mexico: A shipload of adventurers came from Spain for gold. They loaded their ship. Their return meant only another and another set more avaricious than the last if that were possible. The natives were conquered and shipload after shipload of wealth sent back to the homeland.

After the natives were impoverished and all of value that could be got was sent back, the Indian people were made slaves of the lowest caste. They were forced to work in mines, in salt beds, any and everywhere that could furnish anything to satisfy the greed of their masters.

They were even forced to keep their shoulders bare and be branded like cattle or beasts of the lowest class to show their serfdom and that all might know to whom they belonged.

At last, after hundreds of years of this "peonage", a few of us got together and determined to fight for our freedom. And finally we were successful. Perhaps it was through an over ruling providence, BUT WE GAINED OUR INDEPENDENCE.

Then, instead of driving the Indian slaves back as you did, the few thousand of us who were of a higher plane took upon our shoulders the twelve million slaves, and tried to lift them up into the enlightenment of human beings.

You speak of what has been done in the last ten years. There was just as great a work done in the first ten. The only difference is that there were so few to do the work at first.

When I became President of Mexico, one out of eleven could write his own name. Now three out of four can read and write. The progress you speak of as so remarkable is because we have more back of us to perform the work. Those we educated at first joined whole heartedly in helping the others."

Then he turned to the brethren:

"Now for the Mormon colonies. Gentlemen, you Mormons feel that the Mexican Indians are of the blood of Israel and are worthy of being labored with instead of being despised and despoiled. You have a system of education different from any others we know of and we look to you to come and join us and help us to raise this people up to the standard they merit.

"Because we feel you will do this, we bid you welcome and will do all in our power to aid you and are offering every inducement to get you to come and make homes in Mexico. Officials may do wrong but when injustice is done, let us know and it shall be righted. And we bid you God speed!"

The "Official head" of the Governor of Chihuahua, was soon taken off and the last I heard of the "mighty" man who was going to drive out the Mormons was surprising. One of our men was passing near a saloon and heard a little old man ask another to lend him "cuatro reales", to get a little "trago", (drink) and turning saw to his surprise the once haughty Governor who declared he would "Hechar los Mormones de Mexico".