The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-19

I have trust, said enough on this sub
ject of lack Of enterprise and effort to satisfy
you that you can do more than we have done
to secure the trace OF Spanish America, and
enough to con firm the recent statement OF one
of our leading manufacturing journals that
Amer. cans are strangely negligent IN cult
waiting foreign trade. while the nations OF
Europe are active and aggressive.
| have thus, gentlemen, referred to the
political condition OF the country, as far as it
has connection with its commercial relations,
and have given yen my views Of some OF the
causes why, up to the present, DER commerce
with tina. country has proven 80 unsatisfac-
tory, together with some suggestions as to how
it may be improved, enlarged and made more
profitable In this connection have limited
at the vast capabilities of Mexico for supply
ing us with certain staple articles of tropical
production, consumed by us in large quanti-
ties and the demand for which is annually in
creasing in rapid ratio. Ii your patience
will allow, it may be of interest, and possibly
of some value to refer more in detail to this
topic.
He then at considerable length debated the
productions and resources of Mexico, and
laid before the meeting statements and statis-
tics.
In conclusion, he said:
What Mexico needs from abroad at present
is capital and enterprise. With the guaran-
tees given of peace and security to property,
it offers profitable investments to capitalists
and skilled labor. {but may parenthetically
state that it needs no seedy adventures seek
ing their fortunes, and offers little encourage
ment Just now to workmen, common laborers
or men without money. Too many of these
classes have in the past two or three years,
wandered to that country as the Eldorado or
land of promise, and been dependent upon the
charity oftheir countrymen to send them back
to their homes). Mexico has unbounded wealth
and great capabilities, bat with all its re-
sources it is still poor nation. Il has been
suffering a Spanish lethargy of generations,
when it should have been advancing in the
same manner as the United States in material
DEVELOPMENT But having shaken Off the OPP
pressiye domination of the Church, which
consumed its vitals, and released itself from
the retrograde political and commercial ideas
of the past; with free and enlightened press,
and the commencement of a broad system OF
! popular education; with constitutional guar
antees of freedom of religious belief and wor-
ship, and of equal rights and justice to all
men; and inaugurating an extensive scheme
of railroads and covering the country with a
network of telegraph, Mexico must now ad-
~
and national honor.
And it is the duty of the United States,
politically, to extend to her cooperation and
cordial friendship, and commercially, to seek
to bind the two republics together In lntl-
mate trade interests and social relations, and
at this opportune moment begin to lay the
foundations of the rich commercial exchange
or reciprocity which may be almost wholly
ours ia time; not in the immediate future,
perhaps, but with peace and In time 1T will
come, if we are true to our own interests.
| After Mr.. Foster had concluded his re-
marks, the following resolutions, offered by
w. G. Black, Esq, were adopted:
Whereas, tie Hon. J. w. Foster, Minister
Plenipotentiary from the United States to the
republic OF Mexico, has accepted an invita-
ton to address this Chamber upon the i'm
portance of more intimate commercial and
| political relations between the two sister re-
| publics, and has demonstrated IN the most
conclusive manner the advantages OF lib.
eral reciprocity in the revenue and municipal
duties and dues imposed by each country
upon the products of the other, as also In i'm
proved facilities of postal service, with the
progressive construction of railroads travers-
ing and connecting the two countries, the en-
enlargement Of immigration and capital use.
full in developing the dormant treasures, min
eral and agricultural, of our neighbor repub-
lie; theref ore
Resolued, That this Chamber hereby tender
its thanks to Mr.. Foster for the information
and counsel given by him. They feel anthor
lied to assure him of the sincere support OF
the merchants and other citizens of New
Orleans in all measures which promise to
promote the objects he has SO lucidly sci
forth in his address.
Resolved, That the subject of reciprocal
trade and improved facilities OF travel between
the two republics be referred to specia
committee. to consist of five members, who's
duty it shall be to consider the position ant
prospects OF any treaty or convention between
the two powers, and report from time to time
for the instruction and cooperation OF the
Chamber.
Resolued, That our Senators and Repre-
sentatlves are respectfully requested to lent
their most Jealous aid to the objects indi
Gated in these resolutions, as tending espe
cially, in the opinion of this Chamber, to tn
welfare of the whole valley of the Mississippi
and generally to the welfare of the Who'll
Republic.