Arizona citizen., 1879-09-19

l 'hS OeoeC, oil ACAiS iOuS arc ltlCl dtCN
 and the President no longer aSpires to
 a second term, much less to a third
 These are gigantic strides in the path
 of progress, and if We consider the
 fanaticism and profound ignorance
 with which the Liberal party had to
 contend, they are without parallel.
 Nor is it political advancement alone
 that Mexico has achieved in late years
 she has made moral and intellectual
 progress. The fetters which for cen
 turies have held the nation within
 prescribed limits are loosening their
 bonds, thought and learning are fast
 gaining ground, and it may be fairly
 stated that great proportion of the
 people are nov imbued with the spirit
 of liberal ideas We find scattered
 over the country institutions of learn ing and such scientific and industrial schools as would be an honor to an older republic.
 We also rejoice to notice great phys ical improvement. The mineral wealth of the country and its natural re sources in general are being rapidly developed. We have already had a taste of railroads. The line from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico, the most important, is 300 miles long, cost $27,- 100000 and is said to be the finest piece of engineering as well as the most pie turesque road in the world. Neither are without telegraphs-wires now connect all the states but one or two.
 And now, for the time allotted will soon expire, let me bring my closing remarks to more practical turn. Per init me to say few words concerning the relations of Mexico to the United States. It is a wonder and lamenta- ble fact that these two neighboring peoples know so little of each other You will scarcely believe that while in Philadelphia in '76 the Mexican commissioners were asked by compar- ativcly intelligent eastern people if any members Of the royal family of Mexico had visited the exposition; al so whether Italian was still the nation al language of the country. As far as my observation goes, large number .of people seem to know but two things about Mexicmpi.Ht there are revolu- tinns pcriodisalt', and that there was once a general named Santa Anna. On the other hand, Mexicans will tell you, as an illustration of the faculty with which Americans adapt themselves to- shifting circumstances, that Andrew Johnson supported himself by tailor ing after he left the presidency, and that it is the custom in polite Ameri- can society for the gentlemen to put their feet upon the table after the plates have been removed. On our own front fer, McXicans judge the whole Amer ican nation by what they see in Arizo- ma, and Americans think that Sonora laid waste for so many years by the Apaches and the most distant of all the states from our intellectual center the city of Mexico-is the type of Mex ican civilization.
 Ignorance leads undoubtedly to prej- udice. Americans, for instance, con- slider it dangerous 10 travel on the pub lie roads of Mexico, and, to give an il-' lustration near at home, do 1 not know that stages in Sonora have been rob bed but twice in the past twelve years, whereas in this Territory, and even in California, stage robbery is frequent occurrence. They also believe that life is insecure across the line and for get that walking in the streets of Tue son is sometimes unsafe. MeXicans, knowing the readiness with which di- vorces are obtained in the United States, infer that marriages in this country is not binding relstiOn.
 These are but few examples of the many erroneous opinions resulting from a lack ot knowledge of each oth- CT. The remedy lies in a better mutu- al acquaintance, a broader charity, more liberal views, and in checking that tendency to come sweeping con clusions concerning whole people, from few isolated cases. Let men be judged by their deeds, condemned for their vicious customs and punished for their crimes irrespective of national ity.
 The unfortunate raids on both sides of the Rio Grande have given rise to ! rumOrs of annexation. These difficulties, however, seem to be growing less, and this fact and the con dition of our own borders between So- nora and Arizona, where l am most happy to say, the best of good feeling prevails, argue favOrably for the future of the two republics. We should not heed flying reports. Let ms bear in mind that extensive commercial rela- tions are the very best kind of annexa- ton, and the interchange of ideas and the most profitable war.
 It is a curious fact that while the natural source of Mexico's imports and destination of exports would seem . L. .lO I-n;tnd Gtntor hor fnrn,rrr