The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-04-16
For the IutclIIgenccr.
Interview With Some of the Delegates
Who Visited Our Sister Republic Of
Mexico.


who Visited Our Sister Republic Of
Mexico.
ny II. LoTTNER.
Nearly two months have elapsed since
the American Delegates to Mexico re-
turned home. These gentlemen, repre-
senting the higher order among the pro-
fessional, industrial and commercial class
es OF men from almost all the various
States of this country seem to be highly
delighted with their trip, and anticipate
good results from their experience, which
has been freely discussed in public and in
private. 1t is expected to lead to more
friendly and closer relations between both
nations for mutual benefit. As a first and
immediate benefit we observe, that the
tone OF the American press shows a warm.
or interest in and a more just apprecia.
ton OF the land and people across the Rio
Grande. This altered tone may of itself
lead TO paving the way for material re-
suits. knowledge is power, yet power
must be properly directed and brought
into action before it can produce results,
and it requires, like the blossoms, time to
ripen into fruit.
In order to direct our efforts into the
right channel, let US examine for 4 while,
the new field Of operations.
Mexico and its people have been com.
paratively little known by the mass Of our
people, because our people prefer for
daily reading matter superficial or sensa.
tional information in regard to foreign
countries rather than serious investiga.
tons. Serious investigation is necessary
in order to understand fully n country and
its inhabitants, who MT in language, re.
liglon, manners and clinateric conditions,
Just the opposite Of our country and ma.
ton. Mexican writers, who are numer-
Gus, able, and, for the greater part, well
acquainted with the English language,
have seldom written on the peCuliaritics OF
their own land and people in any other
language than their own, and Spanish is
understood but by few Americans. Yet,
TO study the character Of the Mexican ma.
ton, which is the leading power among
the various States OF Spanish America,
and to learn its language is essential to
form closer relations, for the best mode
Of making friends is to get well nc.
qNainted.
Americans must make up their minds 10
pursue that course il they hone TO cor.
pete successfully with the large humber of
shrewd European merchants established
throughout the States Of Spanish America,
directing with mastery commercial ca.
pacity the channels OF trade between those
countries and Europe, and aided in their
pursuits by Il profound knowledge OF tho
language and character OF the people with
whom they deal.
Another important question for Ameri.
cans in contemplating trade with Mexico
is the route to take-whether BY railroad
overland from the centre Of the United
States to n point on the Pacific coast via
the Capital OF Mexico, or by sea from the
Gull ports such rs Mobile, New Orleans,
Galveston, &c, to Vera Cruz and inter.
mediate smaller Mexican ports.
The former, the land route, looks like
q beautiful project; but who would fur.
nish the immense capital for the constrnc.
ton ot a costly highway, which for thous.
ands OF miles could not be sustained nv
the land through which it had to pass ana
only rely on the importance Of its ter.
mini. But, overcome these difficulties and
you will strike many points OF Importance
with regard to mineral wealth-irom the
centre Of true wealth, the agricultural
treasures around tho Gulf OF Mexico.
The other route, by sea from New Orleans
to Vera Cruz, needs not 10 be created: Il
exists already, and has its rnmiRcotions
with New York, Havana and other small.
or ports. Let Northern, Eastern and
Western manufacturers and merchants
establish agencies in all the Gulf
ports, and II then the people Of the
States ofSpanish.A acould buy there
Is cheap as they do nowin Europe, they
would prefer these markets on account Of
the greater proximity which would per.
nit them to attend themselves TO the buy.
ing Of their stock and disposing Of their
staple goods. A short, pleasant trip on a
comfortable steamer TO New Orleans, Gal.
weston or Mobile would carry them 10