Beneath a cloudless sky in the open-air National Stadium on the outskirts of Mexico City, the Executive Power of the United Mexican States passed from General Alvero Obregon to General Plutarco Elias Calles, peacefully elected by the Labor-Agrarian vote.
Without any military display, President Obregon and President-elect Calles left the National Palace in an open barouche, drawn by fine horses with gold-mounted harness, and proceeded along the streets amid the loud plaudits of the assembled public to the Stadium.
As the two Generals entered the Stadium a demonstration for the new President was drowned by the martial strains of the National Anthem. Alighting from the carriage the incoming and outgoing Presidents mounted the carpeted stairs to the grandstand where stood distinguished guests. Among those in the stadium: Señora Obregon, wife of the President; Señorita Obregon, sister; Samuel Gompers, head of the American Federation of Labor with 300 followers, visiting merchants of New Orleans, etc.
Tense silence reigned in the Stadiu —broken from above by the whirring of airplanes which circled around. jHundreds of pigeons were set free to fly wildly overhead and the air became filled in a twinkling with colored toy balloons. The Generals stood on either side of the Speaker of Congress, who in less than two minutes administered the oath of office to General Calles, who then became Mexico's first Labor President. An instant later artillery belched; 25,000 people cheered; bands again crashed out the National Anthem.
On the platform President and ex-President embraced: Said ex-President Obregon, visibly moved: "At this moment when I embrace you I pray that your administration may be a complete success."
The President, equally moved, returned: "Alvaro, I will be satisfied if I have the same success you have had. May the rest of your days be happy ones, as you have not abused the responsibilities that were entrusted you by the Mexican people. Te compane Dios (God be with you) when you return to the Northern State that gave you to Mexico."
Remarked Samuel Gompers: "It was a wonderful sight. It was a good thing to allow everybody to see the President. Mexico is improving every minute."
The two generals then walked down the stairs, drove to Chapultepre Castle for an informal reception, after which they attended a bullfight.