The Dallas weekly herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1885, 1873-06-28
MEXICO.
Railroads and Im,nigra iiou.

From the Alta CalifornipnJ
Don Gabriel Mancera, a mcmber Of
the Mexican Congress, in speech
advocating the adoption of a system of
railroads, said that the United States
obtained million Immigrant annual-
ly, and he thought his country would
get at least one-fourth as many whei
the projected iron track should ho
constructed. 1t happens, however, that
our immigrants do not exceed 5OO.0OO
annually, and many of these are al
tracted by influences which viii be
lacking in Mexico for many wears.
Thousands of Germans and Scaadina.
vians come to America every year on
the invitations of relatives OF friends,
whose houses are open to receive them
who Will provide them with occupation
and supply them with comprehensive
after their arrival. Their ignorance OF
English does not cut them oil from
either business or enjoyment Again,
many Europeans come because they
know, from trustworthy sources, that
their mechanical skill will here find a
market in the woolen or cotton mills,
the mines of iron, coal, copper gold Gr
silver; in the ship-yards, wagon, shoe,
chair, tub or watch factories. AMONG
the great numbers employed, they will
stand fair chance of getting work.
Besides, they know that the country is
making immense industrial progreesin
many directions. Myriads Of houses
and thousands of miles ofraiiloads are
built annually; millions of acres are
fenced and brought into cultivation
every season, settlements ar extend
ing into new regions, and the certainty
that the immigration will continue
gives them better chances for profit
after they shall have become ianilia.
with the country. Within aweek 0iter
reaching the place where they intend
to make their home, the new inmi-
grants can declare their intention oi
becoming citizens, and then each is
entitled to gift of farm or 80 acres,
after he shall have occupied andtilled
it for four years.
We offer to new cOmers many at
fractions not found in Mexico. Wcob-
tanned immigrants before Stephenson
built the Skyrocket, and convinced tie
world that the railroad was dcstineluo
be great feature in progress Oar po-
litical system, our schools, om land sys-
tenn, our commerce, and The general
social and industrial condition Of the
United States are far more satisfactory
to immigrants than those of our sister
republic. If she wishes to compete
with us in bidding for men, she must
satisfy the world the era oJ military
chieftainship has passed fol hor, hat
the present peace is permppent, not
brief and accidental, and thu foreign
ers will be welcomed by publ C opinion
as well as tolerated by the laws. ~
Mr.. Mancera tells us that OF the oigsslsz
or nine million MeXicans, only NtS.9
millions are of mixed blood, and the8ss'
consume all the imports aNd pay all
the duties, amounting to Sl0iQ00,0O0
annually, while the peopleo OF the puse
indigenous race live in a retired man
ner, produce little, consume little, and
are valuable to the government chiefly
as soldiers. The existence of large
unproductive and ignorant populaca
is a serious drawback to any country,
and Mexico should do its best to cdtl-
cate these people. 1t should further
provide liberal naturalizaton laws,
and if any fertile lands still belong to
the Republic, these should be surveyed
and offered as gifts to settlers F'ree
land, free schools and steady employ
ment are important considerations with
Europeans seeking new homes. Mex
leo has natural resources to sustain tivc
times as many inhabitants a. she has
now, but she needs better statesmaii-
ship than she has had for the last fifty
ears, before she can get them. 4
step of progress in any direction will
help things forward in the others, aud
if either the railroads or the schools be
soon provided, the Others will follow.