 On The Line -- Issue 633 -- May 4, 2007  Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On The Line -- Issue 633 -- May 4, 2007 Online News and Views of Life in San Benito County with Herman Wrede Published by HollisterOnline.com -- Copyright 1995-2008 HollisterOnline.com
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On May 5, 1862, soldiers of the French army straightened their ranks as they neared the town of Puebla, Mexico. They were the vanguard of the force that was to follow, sent by Napoleon III.
A number of disaffected Mexican generals had convinced him that Mexico was like a right plum about to fall from the tree into the hand of anyone enterprising and bold enough to take it. They dismissed the opposition leader, Benito Juarez, as an ignorant Indian who would flee at the first sign of force. Napoleon's vanity was played upon like the strings upon a violin. The nephew and namesake of Napoleon Bonaparte, he believed himself at least as great. Now suddenly here was an opportunity to establish a French colony in the New World. As for the United States and its Monroe Doctrine that expressly forbade any more colonization attempts by a foreign power -- well, that nation had its hands full with a civil war and was in no position to enforce the doctrine. With the Mexicans painting pictures of great wealth and some of his own court adding their encouragement, Napoleon let himself be persuaded. Commands were given and a force was embarked for Vera Cruz. With the voyage past, the soldiers were anxious to leave the ships and see the new country and the people who would welcome them. It was good to be back on solid ground, especially on a beautiful spring day. So they marched as though on parade when they came near the walls of Puebla to show the civilians the glory of the French army. Their officers on horseback checked the ranks of soldiers and were pleased at the symmetry of the columns. Several gunshots came from the walls of the city and an officer said, "They're saluting us" just before he pitched headlong from his saddle, and a soldier spun and fell. Another officer cried, "Take cover! They're firing at us!" As the men ran to the other side of the road and took cover behind trees and large rocks, a storm broke. Between flashes of lightning and rolls of thunder, the soldiers fired, reloaded and fired again. When the officers ordered retreat, some soldiers helped their wounded comrades along the muddy road while a rear guard kept up a constant fire at the walls to provide cover. Many French bodies stared up sightlessly upon the pelting rain. Thus the celebration of Cinco de Mayo -- the Fifth of May -- to commemorate a Mexican force valiantly opposing an enemy, trained soldiers though they were who sought to occupy their nation. The French won many of the ensuing battles but the Mexicans would not surrender. Benito Juarez reminded them that they were fighting for their homeland. They used sickles, machete and any old gun or other weapon they could find to oppose the French. Napoleon introduced Prince Maximilian of Austria-Hungary as his viceroy in Mexico, and named him and his wife, Carlota, emperor and empress. The royal couple had many benign plans to improve the lot of the poor people but the Mexicans wanted no foreign rulers. Napoleon finally pulled the French army out and wrote off his losses but Maximilian stayed with a number of Mexican officers who were loyal to him. While his wife desperately and vainly sought help throughout Europe, he was captured, tried and executed. But foiling a plan for foreign occupation did not mean an end of trouble for Mexico. It had paid heavily in blood and sorrow since it was explored and conquered by Spain. It had won independence earlier in the century but it seemed there was always someone to exploit the poor. Mexico had lost much of its territory to the United States in the Mexican-American War and looked upon all Yankees and their enterprises with deep suspicion that was, unfortunately, often merited. Benito Juarez became president of Mexico but some of the officers who had fought courageously against the French and became government officials took opportunities to enrich themselves at the cost of the people. Tyranny flourished and promised reforms never seemed to materialize. Other foreign powers sought to manipulate Mexico for their own ends and found it easier to do through greedy Mexicans who were ready for a price to ten their backs on their countrymen's woes. But for all that, the Mexican people have never surrendered their freedom and independence or the desire of them for their children. Many of Mexico's sons and daughters have migrated to other lands but they have carried those traits with them wherever they went. Many have made their home in the United States and they celebrate Cinco de Mayo every year with the strong sense of heritage that they learned from their parents who in turn learned it from theirs for many generations. Illegal immigration from Mexico into the United States continues to be a big problem. On the one hand, a nation must preserve its borders, but on the other by crossing an imaginary line workers can earn much more money and better help their families than they could at home. It is a problem that will be with us for a long time because there is no easy answer. High walls, vigilante patrols and other methods suggested seem only to underline the problem without solving it. And what about Mexican nationals who crossed the border illegally many years ago but have since raised children here, paid taxes and lived exemplary lives? Are they to be suddenly uprooted and deported? Despite illegal immigration, however, the people of the neighboring nations have much more in common than problems that divide them. Who does not want a better live for his children than he had? Who does not aspire to having a place of one's own in the community? And who does not honor a day like Cinco de Mayo or the Fourth of July which commemorates ties when embattled patriots stood up to tyrants and said, "This is my country and you will not take it from me."? |
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