New Orleans Republican., 1875-11-19
6AMBER OF COMMERCE.
.rrpTION OF MINISTER FOSTER
,pE RELATIONS WITH MEXICO

an early hour last evening the Cham
| of Commerce was filed by it's most
rc sp;rited member, and other citizens
Nav Orleans, to listen to an address
Ho:.. j. w. Foster, United States
,,,er to Mexico. All the seats in the
.mher we're filed, and the doorways
Eded
,ssdant Cyrus Bussey occupied the
dr.
4, Foster was introduced by President
,,ey, and spoke as follows:
h, President, gentlemen of the Cnam-
and fellow w-citizens-T1o years and a
n ago. ou my way to my mission in Mex.
vas honored with a reception by the
I,cbants OF New Orleans, and upon their
station made few hastily considered
raks upon the commercial relations I've
(.ar our two neighhoring republics. My
ienee in that country has deepened and
ebgthened my convictions of the desira-
Nv and importance of that relation.
rs in every way that have been able,
n,fasted my interest in this subject, aud
"a given it more than casual attention
,-nst | have, rs consequence, some
,rer views of the ques lion and better
ioaaintance with tho obstacles to it's at.
sment. You. also, have become more
4 informed in regaId to it through the
tof YOUR commission, who have officially
personally reported their impressions
conclusions, The establishment, also.
the llne of steamers between New Or
n, and the Mexican gulf ports has
ouyht you into more intimate connection
gwen new impetus to the trace.
can not tonight speak to you with the
me freedom AS private citizen upon
he International questions: but, with
.tresspassing upon the necessary reserve
nv official position, may be able to ac-
hi YOUR hearty invitation tC address you
ou this subject in such a way as toawaken
increased interest on your part, and to
ssent an old and familiar topic in some
Ia. different light than others who have
cussed it.
fortunately, my residence in Mexico has
en- in a time of peace, when that long dis
bc,ed country has enjoyed a rest from
HI tumulr, and when it has been III akine
Nts TO repair the ravages of war and tC
turn to the normal state of society. A.
sto be expected, it has found many OBJ
cles to a quiet and satisfactory adjust
klt of public and private business to the
Nv order of affairs which has dawned upon
1t is not surprising that its national
auOes and its industrial and moneyed H.
rests should encounter embarrassments
rnation, with vastly greater reouper
ys capacity, is yet bitterly experiencing
evil effects of one short civil war, even
Or ten years of peace. SO that it may
indicate a hopeless future tor Mexico
1t business is now depressed, and tina,
Oountry does not spring at once into q
bte Of great prosperity and development
l., however, gratifying fact that it's ma
bnal finances are in d better condition
bu has existed for many years. Presi
nt Lerdo has been able TO maintain hi.
bal government credit, and the last an
al financial exhibit showed that all tht
rent expenses have been met, and that
All balance remained in the treasury, anG
u, too, while an army was maintained
Nv 1000 or 5000 less than that of the United
ties.
The sincere friends of Mexico have no
en able to hide from themselves the fac
ht the civilized world seemed TO be on tn,
lint of abandoning all hope IN its pacifca
~ and of believing that it's people were
prove themselves unworthy of the grant
hntry, 30 bOuntitully favored by nature
fiOh they occupied. But these last year,
peace, and the reconstruction which thu
publican leaders have effected and ar,
ecting, are giving gratifying proof tha
public men will yet be equal to the tasl
its regeneration. To the casual observer
events in that country for the pas
|enty-tive years, all may have appeared ,
aus OF disorder, a personal war of rivs
ers, and general carnage of hate ant
Teuge. But the conflict has not been ,
re strife ambitious men. A great prin
No was beng battled for, and the triumph
at last come, and with it peace-no
nplete peace, for the dying embers of ole
zee and ambitions disappointed are Occa
aally, but temporarily, famed into /
ne. But the great question of inde
ndence OF Church domination and ole
anish ideas and prejudices has been set
and, the source of its evils removed
may, therefore, expect brighter anC
e prosperous future for Mexico. TIL,
eN intervention was the final struggle
the old regime, and with the fall of Maxi
Ian the last hope OF the conservative OF
scal party expired.
The establishment of the republic un
Juarez in 1867 was the date of the re-
neration of the nation. The governm 9nt
u that time has remained unchanged
has been gradually perfecting the sys
and enforcing the principles of the new
istltution. On the death of President
htez, Mr.. Lerdo, his chief minister during
Intervention and his constitutional sue
sor, peacefully assumed his vacant place
was afterward almost unanimously
cted to the presidency by the people
tour years' administration is drawing tC
lose, as the most memorable in the his
Of the country for it's peace and order
ior the uninterrupted sway of the fed
authority throughout the natl, IL. Eigh,
70 OF continuous and successful govern
n Is without parallel in it's past. and il
hopeful promise of a better future. The
plc men of all parties and the people
csaize peace as the country's greatest
and they manifest disposition to
minor differences and personal prefer
to secure this benefcent boon, this
acea for their past maladies, and the
ot harbinger of prosperity and progress
aa much can say in reference to the
acal condition of Mexico without diplo.
10 eimprOprietv, but could not say less
nsighbOring nation, of a sister republic
Of people who have achieved a tri.
pa relatively as grand and important as
', and who should be attached to us by
strong ties of commercial interest and
70, more intimate social contact, politi-
accord and friendship.
nave referred to the political condition
ne country because Of its special inter
OF application to the commercial phase
n relations. One great hindrance to
with Mexico has heretofore been the
oiatlonary character of the people, the
ABILITY of the government and the con
pe1t uncertainty of trade and want OF
sotion to property. There appears now
the dawn of better era.
40 Possession or control of the trade
Mexico and the Central and South
'rcan States has been q subject often
need in the past half century in
United States. Frequent reference
has been made in the diplo.
correspondence; resolutions on the
set have, at various times, passed
Nese; it has been often discussed in the
spapers; Chambers of Commerce and
sentile men have expressed their views
II; and eOme effurte have been made tn