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The Aztec Club of 1847 is a historic society founded in 1847 by United States Army officers of the Mexican–American War. It exists as a hereditary organization including members who can trace a direct lineal connection to those originally eligible. Similar to the earlier Society of the Cincinnati, which arose out of the officer class of the American Revolutionary War, the Aztec Club was a precursor of veterans' organizations like the Grand Army of the Republic, the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the United Confederate Veterans which were formed by veteran officers after the American Civil War. ==Origins== After the last battles of the Mexican–American War a sizable force of regular U.S. Army troops occupied Mexico City; on October 13, 1847, a meeting of officers was held in the city to form a social organization to help pass the time comfortably until their return to the United States. The original organizers were Robert C. Buchanan, Henry Coppée, John B. Grayson, John B. Magruder, Franklin Pierce, Charles F. Smith, and Charles P. Stone. The Aztec Club's first president, elected that evening, was John A. Quitman.〔 The Club numbered 160 members by the time the army evacuated the City to return to the United States, among its members most of the major figures of the Mexican War American army and a large group whose fame would come a decade and a half later. Membership was extended to all officers who had served in the campaign from Vera Cruz on, and carried much prestige not only in Mexico but in the United States. The founders of the Aztec Club sought to emulate the Society of the Cincinnati, established in 1783 by officers who served in the Revolutionary War. Indeed, many of them were sons or grandsons of the original Cincinnati members. The site chosen for its club house was the former home of José María Bocanegra, the Mexican minister to the United States,〔 an 18th-century palace originally built for the Viceroy of New Spain, just off the Plaza de la Constitución, the Zócalo of the conquered city.〔 On January 13, 1848, a formal club constitution had been adopted, with a $20 initiation fee. Commanding general of the occupying army, Winfield Scott was voted into honorary membership.〔Aztec Club website, History of its Founding, p.2〕 Winfield Scott wanted to reward his officers so, using military funds, he hired locals to spruce up the old building turning it into the Aztec Club. Only officers who served with him from Veracruz to the occupation of Mexico City were allowed to attend the private club. The Aztec was a stunning hit with the officers. It allowed them to escape the dirt and grime of the city and getaway from the smell of death. Selected upscale meals were served and the finest whiskey was provided to those who drank. On occasion local talent performed. "We have a magnificent club house, and it is a source of great pleasure and comfort to us." wrote George B. McClellan. "We go there and are sure that we will meet none but gentlemen."〔 The Aztec Club quickly became ''the'' place in the city. The ranks of the organization swelled quickly, including William T. Sherman, George C. Meade, and Kentuckian Simon Bolivar Buckner. Handsome dinners were given, and almost every person of distinction who visited Mexico during its occupation were put up at the Club, and so popular did it become that after it was fairly in working order admission was rather difficult. The building occupied was located on one of the streets leading out of the Calle Plateros, and but two blocks from the Grand Plaza, a most convenient situation, and not far from the headquarters of General Scott, Commander-in-Chief. The Calle Plateros, or Silversmith Street, was one of the most prominent in the city, and at the time corresponded to New York City's Broadway. It had more fine shops upon it than any other in Mexico, hence it is the popular promenade and driving street, and the resort of the fashionable young men, who there have the opportunity of meeting their fair friends. Many of the principal hotels and restaurants were located upon it and its extension. The often raucous meetings were held at the National Theater with Capt. John Bankhead Magruder frequently acting as master of ceremonies before the officer corps left Mexico City during the summer of 1848. By March, the Aztec Club's constitution had been printed, along with a list of the original members, all officers serving in Regular or Volunteer units of the U.S. Army or U.S. Navy. Officers from state militia organizations were not eligible for membership. The original constitution stated the club's purpose was to give members a place to live together, dine together, and otherwise entertain their guests, allowing members to pool resources while stationed in the City of Mexico. When it became apparent the army would soon leave the city for home, members met on May 26, 1848 to determine the future of the club. While it was impractical to continue the operation of the physical club facility after they left, the members took the first steps to create an organization in perpetuity, electing officers for a term to end September 14, 1852, intending a reunion of members on or before that date at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. Upon their return to the United States a membership diploma and seal were created.〔 Persifor F. Smith was elected as club president to replace Quitman, who had already returned to Washington, D.C. Grayson was elected as "substitute president" and "acting treasurer." In June, the club, consisting of 160 regular and three honorary members, was declared adjourned.〔 Five of the club's members were the nominees of their respective parties for President of the United States: Franklin Pierce, Ulysses S. Grant, Winfield Scott, George B. McClellan and Winfield S. Hancock; two were elected to the office. Two of its members have been candidates for Vice President of the United States -- John A. Logan and Simon Bolivar Buckner—and a number of them became Congressmen and high-ranking military and civil officers. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Aztec Club of 1847」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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