The New York herald., 1869-12-17
M MExICo.
William II. Seward at the National
Capital.
Ills Journey Through the Country-Grand
Banquet Given in His HonOr-Seward's
Speech-His Views Of the Ameri.
can People-Destinies of the
American Continent.

| past three O'Clock. lie some distance from
the capital In the village OF Cuantitlan by party OF
| American gentlemen. Two leagues out he was
received by Ministers Lerdo de TeJada and Mauas
| Romero. At the city gate OF Tlalpan ne was met
| BY President Juarez and wife and Miss Soledad
| Juarez, who accompanied the party to the house
which mad been prepared for his sojourn here. The
party consists OF w. II. Seward, Mr.. and Mrs. Fred.
erck Seward, Mr.. Abijah Fitch and Colonel Albert
| s. Evans.
| Mr.. Seward seems to have endured Mexican
travelling very wen, and it Is said he will visit Gem
tral America before returning to the United States.
The utmost precautions had been taken to make
Mr. Sewards journey safe one by supplying ample
| guards most of which, however, had orders, 1t Is
said that they should conceal themselves when his
conveyance was passing, in order not to give any
idea that such force OF troops necessary. II
Is rather significant fact however, that the mall
going each way was robbed the road the next day
after the party passed over 1t.
Yesterday morning The party drove out to Chapul.
tepec, to roam Through the cypress grove OF
Montezuma and enjoy the magnificent view Of Mexk
CO and us surroundings. This evening Mrs. Nelson
gives small dinner to Mr.. Seward and few
friends. Quite number OF entertainments OF dif.
terent kinds Will be given during the month winch
/ 1t is expected he VIII remain here, prominent
among which VIII be o great ball given by tha
government IN the National theatre.
Yesterday Mr., Seward entertained at the Ma,
tiona Palace, grand banquet being given In his
honor. 1t was gorgeous affair. President Juare5
presided. About 400 guests were present. Many
Americans and Europeans were among the number.
The first speech was by President Juarez, who
paid high tribute to the friendship OF the govern
ment OF the United States and the people OF that
country. He drew a parallel between the institu-
lions OF the two countries, and insisted that there
were philosophical reasons why the two repuDlica
were nearer to each other than to any other nation.
He was much applauded by the Americans present,
and concluded his speech by Offering the toast
Ulysses Grant, President OF the United States Of
the North" To this speech Mr.. Nelson, our Minis
ter, Responded concluding with compliment to
Mexico. Various other speeches made, among
them one by Mr. Lerdo, Minister OF Relaciones,
which contained illusions requiring q response
from Mr.. Seward. Mr.. Stewards speech, which was
interpreted by Mr.. Igesas Minlser Of Justice, waa
as follows:-
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO AND GEN.
In an assembly where l am surrounded BY four
hundred American patriots ana statesmen the time
which can DC allowed to me TO engage attention 10
very snort, snd the words which may speak, now.
ever earnest ought 10 De lew ami slnple. The sen-
tmenus OF a grateful nature, no less tnan profound
respect and loyal synpathies for TINS august assem-
Dly oblige me To express humble THANKS from the
depth oi my heart Ior tins hosptaAe and friendly
these grateful emotions nave ught up with them
somewhat grateful apprehension that those who
have beloved this generous welcome upon
me may, 10 patriots Of less cOndlng
disposition, seem to nave incurred the iauG
OF forgetting the interests of their own country
Ia extending their hospitality to q stranger. /
have been accustomed 10 study aud contempiat the
commerce OF the Atlantic and Pacific coasts OF the
United States the teetling wealth OF the Mississippi
Valley. and the golden treasures OF the Rocky Noun
tsins and Sierra Nevada, ana l believe, without
ever having awakened a SUSPICION OF personal
tn
dlsclam that unworthy motive Tor my visit here.
when Tor the rst time standing among the mines OK
GuanaJauto, Potos and neal del Monte and contem.
plating with words and admiration the grams and
fruits and flowers Of temperate though tropical
Mexico. AS little, perhaps need dlsclam personal
Individual ambitlon as motive OF my vlsIS to
Mexico Certainly ought TO know now, 4 have
never known before that the people o Mexico wisely
reserve political places aSu nonOrs not for foreign
adventurers 1ut Ior their loyal patriotic citl
zens Bat wnat shall be sad OF the ambition Of
the government VI the United States and Of my
supposed snare IN tnat ambitlonr Certainly, only
this need be said, that wnlle tnat ambition Is al ways
less tuan would inspire my government with, am
neither Its agent nor III any Its representative.
But what suai be said OF The ambition OF the United
States as nation, and Of my own completely there
witnp On this point, answer with full and frank
confession lne people OF the United states, by an
nations, have cOmprehended, better than even their
government has ever yet DONE the DeHgnant destl-
MES OF the American continent ana their own
responsibility In that important matter. They know
ana see clearly tnat although the colonization and
Initiation OF civilization IN all parts Of this
States, yet that In perfecting society ana civili-
EATON here, every part OF the continent must
sooner or later be made ealirey independent Of all
foreign control and OF every form Of Imperial or
despotlc power, the sooner the better. Universally
| lmbued with TINS lofty and magnanimouS sentiment
tue people Of the United states nave opened their
broad territories from TO ocean, and from tho
lakes to the Gull, freely TO the trodden down and
oppressed OF all nations as q republican asyum. In
| their constitutions they have written with equal
unanlmity ana zeal the declaration that all WHO
shall come within that asylum they guarantee thaI
they shall be forever governed by republican inSti-
tutlons. This noble guarantee extends IN spirit In
poicy and In effect TO all other nations In the Ane-
| rlcan hemisphere, 30 far as may depend moral
influences, which, IN the cause OF political trun are
| always more elective than arms. some OF these ma
tions communities near The United States which,
| while they are animated ike the American people
| with q Gesire i0r republican institutions, and
| VIII not willingly submit 10 any other are
yet, by reason Of insufficient territory imperfect de-
| Yelopnent colonial demoralzation or other cause,
these, as in the case OF the ancient Lousiana,
| Florida, Alaska, st. Domingo and ST. Thomas the
the United States with their own ree consent with.
out conquest and when they are iully prepared for
that IMPORTANT change. Other nations on the Con,
| tlnenL literally endowed with the elements aud
virtues OF national independence, prosperity and
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT more matured aud seii-rclant,
cIerIshng the same enlightened and intense desire
Tor republican Institutions have noby assumed the
| protection and exercised the power OF exclusive
| sovereignty. OF this CLASS are Mexic0-0lder as q
nation, but newer as a republic, Than the United
| statesYenozueia and Colombia, the Central Amer-
can states, PERT, the Argentine reoubic and Jhlie.
| THESE republics have thus become, and are gladW
recognized by the people OF the United
States with all their Just claims and pre-
| tentlons or separate sovereignty, fraternal re.
! puollcs and pollticai allies. 10 the people OF
| The United states, the universal acceptance OF re.
publicanism Is necessary, and happily II Is no less
necessary for any nation ana any people on the co
| tinent. VINO Will show me how rcpubcansm can
be extended over the continent upon any other pfnlr
ciple, or under any other system than theseY ~ 4
| orbear from dilating upon the influence which
Norm America and south America with ail .ner ~,
| archipclagos nrmly established ana fraterna,y
living under republican Institutions must put lort,ls
and Will put foin III advancing CIVILIZATION hrouRiH
| out the world, " H. because ! have already SAID
enough TO show that loyalty and patrotsin on VIC
part oi citizen OF our American fcpuDnc y, W ny
| Judgment nos onIy consistent, but cOngenia with
best wlshes for the welfare, prosperity anu nappl-