The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-31
Mexico, Her Hecessities and Her Pros
pects.


poets.
Our sister Republic first of oil wants peace.
Her soil has long been the scene of almost
constant war. Life and property have become
proverbially insecure, and all the paths of
industrious prosperity hedged with danger
and encouragement. Suddenly, from the I'M
expected death of President Juarez, issues the
bright bow of hope for his country's happi-
ness. man of strong will he was eminently
useful in driving from the Halls OF the Mon
tezumas the government of the imperial
usurper, Macmillan. Doubtless his I'M
daunted courage and perseverance, coupled
| with the fact of his Indian blood, was in
the highest degree useful in inspiring patriotic
sentiments in the hearts Of his countrymen,
which European monarchical bayonets sought
to fix upon unhappy Mexico But after i'm
perialism had been overcome Juarez lacked
the tact of liberal craftsmanship TO unite
and harmonize the many and adverse
interests and ambitions which swayed
the various sections and cliques of the tri-
umphant Republic. Till the day Of his death
civil war, more disastrous than the struggle
against the invader, rent and oonvulsed the
federal Union. Juarez was committed to the
support of vicious men who had assisted in
the overthrow of the Empire, and he seemed
unable to withdraw his countenance from
such criminals as the murderer and cattle
thief Cortina, whose military command on the
fine OF the Bravo, our Texan frontier, was
Il. i
plumber of American citizens No wonder
that revolt existed in New Leon under the
lead of her liberal Governor, General Andreas
Trevino; in chihuahua under Donate
Guerra, in the sierras of Puebla under Mar
tinez and Mendez, and in other States under
Generals Por6rio Diaz Negrete, Labastiada,
Mier Teran, Portillo and other popular
leaders. In spite of the ability and the as
sured patriotism of Juarez the country, at the
time of his death, presented On almost hope
less condition Of instruction. and disorder.
His demise devolved the Presidency pro tenn.
upon the Chief Justice, Senior Sebastian
Lerdo de Tejada-a man, by the unanimous
testimony of his countrymen, admirably
adapted to guide the dcstinies Of the Republic
in this trying iuncture and bring order and
prosperity out of the chaos of internecine
strife and threatened ACKNOWLEDGMENT. His
first act was an offer of amnesty to all who
! were or had been in arms against the federal
government. This at once wrought the hap
| piest results. Leaders of the revolt from oil
sides laid down their arms and announced their
desire to join the temporary Executive in re-
storing peace. new election was ordered for
on early day. Seiior Lerdo is tho most promi-
nent candidate, and will probably be the chosen
man, as his election is advocated by the friends
of the late President as well as by the principal
revolutionary chiefs. One Of the latter says in
an appeal to the public that Lerdo promises
to open path of flowers to country which
up to the present has been sown with thorns,"
and asserts the power of the new President to
give happiness to Mexico.
In view Of this hopeful aspect of her gov
ernmental affairs it is not amiss to consider
the needs of that glorious land where nature
has provided all the elements of natural
wealth and greatness in matchless profusion.
She has all desirable variations of climate and
temperature, unbounded agricultural re-
sources, long sea coast with commodious
harbors, ample territory and mountains Of
mineral wealth, which ever since their dis
covery by Europeans have been the envy of nll
lands. After stable government she needs
first general system of railroads Forming
the waist of the Continent, at the Isthmus of
Tehuantopec line of less distance than
from New York to Albany would carry the
voyager from the Gulf of Mexico to the Paci-
fic. Mexico is thus most favorably placed to
compete with the United States for the carry
ing trade between the Indies and Western Eu-
rope Her mineral treasures demand COM
prekcnsve system of internal communication.
At present her main railroad extends from the
capital one hundred and fifteen miles to Pue-
bla, on the line toward the Gulf port Of Vera
Cruz This road should be OF once
completed to the Gulf and extended to some
one of the fine harbors OF the Pacific coast.
Without doubt the country affords feasible
routes for half dozen railway lines from the
Gulf to the commodious bays which indent
the Pacific shore, every one of which would
open regions rich in agricultural and mineral
resources which would surely build up an
abundant and profitable traffic. Already
road is commenced at its northern end de-
signed to connect our State of Colorado, via
Santa FG, with the City of Mexico This line
will afford ready means Of exchanging the pro-
ducts of the temperate zone with those Of the
tropics, and would, doubtless, be o popular
thoroughfare of travel and channel Of valua-
BILE traffic. Though less generally provided by
nature than the United States with facilities
h1, xuatnr Maxico