Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-05-26

Hon from mexico is upwards OF pOu,-
100000 a year, notwithstanding the
fact that the most primitive system Of
working the mines and reducing the
ores still prevail. The introduction
of American skill and machinery
would, in a very brief time, increase
the production ofthe country in agri-
culture and mining to an immense
extent"
ITO how great an extent, General
Frisbie2"
II think it would not be an exag-
geration to say that the increase
would be 800 per cent. The effect
i've development of Mexico'sresources
is the only thing which is necessary
to advance her to a place in the first
rank of the nations of the earth. The
stability ola government is insured
by the prosperity Of its people, and
the introduction of science and CAPT
tai into Mexico will insure it a more
rapid development than that which Mt
any time has been experienced since
the opening of our own western coun-
try"
There prevails among our people
an impression that life and property
are very insecure in Mexico. Is this
impression well founded?"
No; it is extremely f~allacious, so
far as nay own experience goes. In the
central states, to which l have re-
ferred, and in which | have been liy-
ing, rObberies are not so frequent as
they are in III own mining districts.
Indeed, / must say hat during the
two years which | spent in these dis
tricts not a single instance Of a rob
berry came under my observation.
THE spirit of progress has been
thoroughly awakened in Mexico"
continued General Frisbie, in re-
Spouse to other inquiries. Several
new lines of railroad are under con
struction the agriculture and mining
industries Of the country are tar more
active than they have been at any for
mer period the increasing facilities
for communication with Europe and
the United States are educating the
people to broader views respecting
what should be their relations with
foreign powers and they are com
ing to estimate more widely and
truly the advantages which would
lnure TO them by an enlarge
ment of their social, political and
commercial relations with our more
progressive people. 1t must be ap-
parent to every thoughtful man that
the advancement of the industries
and commerce Of Mexico would be of
almost immeasurable importance to.
the United States. Mexico has a pop
ulation of something Ike 10000, 900 Of
people. She produces sugar, tobacco,
coffee, aud an Indigenous fibre in
great abundance, which can be util-
lied for many purposes and is becom-
ming a prominent article Of exporta.
ton. She also produces cabinet and
dye woods to an extent perhaps now
comparatively insignificant, but capa-
bic Of an indefinite expansion. Gold,
silver and copper are found in her
mountains and hills in greater abund-
ance, comparatively speaking, than in
any other country upon the earth"
But how are her people2 Can you
induce them to work, and obtain for
the capitalist who risks his money in
the development Of these resources an
adequate return"
Eyes, most certainly. The laboring
classes of Mexico-and now | refer
especially to the native Indians in the
Older aud more popuious central states
are docile, patient, industrious and
when kindly treated, devoted to their
employers interests. They are excel
lent miners, farm hands and servants.
They are intelligent and easily in
structed in mechanical craft. The
great majority of the people of Mexico
are religious. They have an adequate
knowledge of the requirements of their
faith. They live good, pure and hon
est lives, and their immunity from
vice would put to shame the more pol
ished population Of many of our com
munities."
"How about the climate of Mexico,
General Frisbie?"
The climate of the capital and Of
most OF the states in which | have
lived is perfection. The winter is so
mild that fires are scarcely necessary,
and during the summer there is no
excessive heat. The thermometer
ranges from fifty to eighty-fve degrees.
rarely falling below the first or rising
above the last figure. Both as a win
ter and summer resort the city of
Mexico is simply Incompatible"
mo greater mistake can be made"
added General Frisbie, than the one
which is best expressed by the appel
latiOn Of Mexico to emeutes and dis
order in our own country. Life and
property is Just as secure in the CAPT
tai of Mexico as they are in New
York. The Mexican people are not
uncivilized. They are intelligent.
well-instructed, hospitable, cour,
ageous, faithful, chaste, and religious
people,. The extent to which they
have been mi~srepresented in the
United States is appalling. 1t is only
one who, like myself, has lived among
them, who can adequately appreciate
the difference which exists, between
the ordinary conception of the Mexi.
can in the mind Of the American and
the Mexican as he really is in his own
home"