Democratic celebrations: Governor Garza Galán's reelection... Celebration or propaganda?

The reelection of Governor José M. Garza Galán in 1889 unleashed three days of festivities filled with luxury and propaganda in Coahuila; the banquets, dancing, and speeches portrayed the spirit of the Porfiriato and the political exaltation of the era.

In January 1890, the Coahuila Government Printing Office , headed by Severiano Mora, published a pamphlet detailing a series of festivities and demonstrations held in December 1889 to praise the reelection of Colonel José M. Garza Galán as governor of the state for the period 1889-1893. The title of the publication: Democratic Festivals in Coahuila.

Let's take a look back. Why reelection in Coahuila? Well, it wasn't unusual. Garza Galán followed the example of President Porfirio Díaz, who in 1889 began his third term in office, with two reelections out of a total of six.

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The edition provides countless details about those three days of celebration. Democratic Festivals in Coahuila contains more than 60 pages . The publication gathers a wealth of information about those supposed festivities. Truth be told, the document is a historical gem: within its pages we find many surprises, and the writing style is highly entertaining.

THE PRETEXT

From the outset, the exaggerated tone toward the president is perceptible; the authors lavish praise on the governor, a native of Múzquiz, Coahuila. It is a propaganda tool, produced by sympathetic journalists and state officials. More than a popular celebration, the pamphlet served to reinforce the idea that Garza Galán was the only valid option to govern, thus eliminating any question about the legitimacy of his remaining in office. The name "Democratic Festivals," used to celebrate the reelection of a governor, sounds quite contradictory.

THE AUTHORS

The poet and journalist Jacobo M. Aguirre wrote a large portion of the content, including the introduction, the reception and congratulations, the official banquet, and the commercial banquet. José María Cárdenas wrote the sections on the town, the triumphal arches, the music, the entertainment, the banquet at the Madero Institute, and the banquet for artisans and students.

For his part, Bartolomé Ramírez Anguiano gave a detailed account of the bullfight, the award ceremony for outstanding students, and the demonstration of support from the Nuevo Leonese Colony. Perhaps the most mellow and baroque text was that of José Tomás Viesca , a journalist from Parras, who described the dance held at the Acuña Theater.

THE OFFICIAL BANQUET

During the festivities, sumptuous lunches and banquets were offered, replete with speeches and excellent food. The first banquet, in theory, was organized by Garza Galán's friends, and 300 invitations were distributed. The text notes that it was one of the most attended gatherings in Saltillo. Of course! It was free, and representatives from all over the state attended: politicians, prominent young people, lawyers, journalists, doctors, military personnel, diplomats, merchants, and commissions from other states and the nation's capital.

The banquet symbolizes the Porfiriato at its height: the Frenchification of an elite that looked upon France with admiration, adopted its cultural expressions, and tried to apply them to all aspects of society, especially in food and politics.

The banquet took place at six o'clock in the evening on December 15th in the former Fuente Athenaeum building, specially decorated for the occasion. The first courtyard of the institute was transformed into an artificial forest that amazed those present: trees, bushes, a stream , and animal figures simulated a real tropical rainforest.

As the guests strolled through the place admiring its beauty, music announced the governor's arrival. Accompanied by a commission, he was received with honors, and those in attendance formed a barrier as he passed. Prominent among those present were Dr. Parra; the poet Eduardo del Valle; Jesús María Rábago, a writer; Jesús Ortiz, a journalist from San Luis Potosí; and Emilio Bas, a federal representative. Also present was the poet Juan de Dios Peza, who gave a speech.

THE MENU

The banquet was prepared by Hof & Cíe. The menu, written in French, was placed on cards on each table. It consisted of seven courses, each accompanied by a different wine.

Appetizers such as radishes, olives, anchovies, and butter were offered. Potage: two exotic soups, one oyster and one turtle. Poisson: fried fish with tartar sauce and Parisian potatoes. Entrée: steak with mushrooms in Madeira sauce, ham with champagne sauce, and a specialty: bear "Garza Galán," in honor of the governor, an accomplished hunter. Diners rated it the most delicious dish. Venison in jelly followed, accompanied by light side dishes such as French peas and mashed potatoes.

The roti was a stuffed turkey, Saltillera style, with dried fruit, apple, and walnuts. To refresh the palate before dessert, French-style salads were served: one with chicken and one with salmon, with ravigote sauce, a herb-infused vinaigrette.

Desserts included lemon and apple tarts, petits-fours, and fruit. Digestifs included chartreuse, cognac, champagne, beer, and coffee.

The pairing was carefully chosen: dry sherry for the soups; Haut-Sauterne for the fish ; Médoc and St. Julien red Bordeaux wines for the meats; Château Margaux and Bourgogne for the main courses. For the toast: the prestigious Veuve Clicquot.

To estimate the current cost of this menu and the amount of wine consumed, I consulted chef Juan Carlos Guerra, a specialist in French cuisine. He and his wife, Luisa Castilla , kindly analyzed the menu and calculated an approximate cost. Juan Carlos commented: “ It's a menu with a very complex and elaborate pairing. Given the variety of dishes, at current prices it should be around three thousand to three thousand five hundred pesos per person in a high-end restaurant.”

Considering the number of attendees, it is estimated that around 40 bottles of cognac, 75 of champagne, and about 60 of red wine were consumed. Today, a banquet of this type would easily exceed one million pesos.

THE MERCHANTS' BANQUET

Another banquet was held on December 16, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce . It is worth reproducing some of the texts documenting the event, as at the time there was an obvious paradox: "Mr. Garza Galán and commerce are operating in perfect harmony, and the latter has been favored more than once by the wise decisions of the former, who strives to expand it and avoid any obstacles it might encounter in its ever-increasing development."

Eighty people were invited. The banquet was also held in the main hall of the Ateneo Fuente . I quote: “ The vast and immense hall had been transformed. A central, continuous table was sufficient to accommodate the guests. It was elegant and presented a pleasing appearance. In the place of honor was an artistic fountain of moss and artificial flowers. On the south side, under a crimson canopy, was placed a portrait of Mr. Garza Galán, the work of the notable Mexican artist Escudero y Espronceda; he was actually Spanish. Paintings, statues, columns with flowery vases, lamps, and candelabras completed the decoration of the splendid, beautiful, and elegant hall.”

“A band in the first courtyard of the Ateneo and another in the Plaza de San Francisco brought life and joy to that unforgettable gathering. Upon entering the school, one felt as if one were in a fairytale mansion...”

“By six o'clock in the evening, almost all the guests were at the Athenaeum. Shortly after, Mr. Garza Galán arrived and was greeted with the National Anthem. Those in attendance included political figures, distinguished writers, distinguished journalists, figures from science and the legal profession, renowned businessmen, and influential representatives from several states.”

Years later, the merchants grew fed up with Garza Galán, who was seeking reelection. They petitioned President Porfirio Díaz to resign. In retaliation, the governor dissolved the union and imprisoned several of its members.

DANCE AT THE ACUÑA THEATRE

Tomás Viesca described the event with a display of poetic imagery. An excerpt: "The light in each Venetian moonlight breaks into beams of color, like the twilight light of morning on the lake, mirror of the flowers..."

Thus the text continues, showering praise, while Viesca's pen pays homage to many of the women present: Ninfa Garza Rich, the governor's daughter, advanced like a living torch; Cuca, luminous and candid; María Zermeño, noble like a secret spring; Adela Villarreal, ethereal ; Marcianita Negrete, gentle; María Narro, warm like a summer in bloom; and Carolina Rodríguez , serene like a haven.

THE 93 COAHUILENSE

Many of those women who attended the dance would actively participate in the overthrow of the governor four years later . The movement, led by women and young people, was known as El 93 Coahuilense. The goal of overthrowing the evil ruler was achieved: the people of Coahuilense were rid of one of the worst governors the state has ever had. Oh, but he did have good taste in food.

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