The Daily Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Or.) 1876-1883, 1881-05-19
Gen. Grant in Mexico.

of wisdom escape from his great
mind. A statement of his views
and objects in visiting Mexico
seems to have been regarded as
called for, and at banquet in his
honor, at the Tivoli April 22d, he
set forth his purposes at length.
Following is the text of his speech
disavowing all schemes of connec-
ton:
There is nothing in nv opinion,
to stand in the way of Mexican
progress and grandeur and wealth
but the people themselves. / do
not anticipate their opposition, but
fully expect their active support.
/ think l can answer for nine
tenths of the people of my own
country when / say that we have
no sinister motives whatever;
we have no designs nor de-
sires that are inimical to the
honor and credit of this great
republic. | am aware that some
of the papers of Mexico, as well as
possibly some of the United States,
have made illusions to the posi-
bility of annexation of Mexican
territory to the United States. On
that subject | know that there are
no grounds whatever for apprehen-
sion. When / was President OF
the United States, representatives
Of the republic of San Domingo
applied to me for annexation, de-
claring that such was the desire OF
the government, and the wish OF
all the people on the island. This
proposition came to me several
times before / considered it at all.
At length, fearing that what had
been said TO me might be merely
the statements of designing men,
willing 10 sell their country for
private gain, / determined, quiet.
ly and without the knowledge ot
these agents of San Domingo, to
send thither agents of my own 10
discover the real feelings of hel
people. by this means | verified
the statement that ninety-ninC
hundredths of her people were
anxious for the proposed annex
alton. They were fully alive to
the subject, had thought over it
and such a consummation was the
brightest of their dreams. They
desired as they expressed it, to be
come a part Of our great republic.
| then entered into a treaty witt
that country (which has all the ca
pacities OF the best part of Mex
ico), and submitted it to the senat,
of the United States for ratifica
ton. 1t. was with great difficulty
notwithstanding my position a
head Of the government, that
could get the question considered
at all by the senate, and when
did it was defeated by an over
whelming majority. ] am sur,
that even if it could be shown tha
all the people Of Mexico were il
favor Of the annexation of a por
ton of their territory to the United
States it would still be rejected
We want no more land. We dC
want to improve what we have
and we want TO see our neighbori
improve and grow so strong tina
the designs of any other country
could not endanger them. Mexict
has the elements of development
and wealth such as no other coun
try possesses-at all events to S,
high a degree. Her proximity t.
the equator, with her elevatet
plains, enables her to produce tn,
fruits of all ATTITUDES. Her mine
are the richest in the world, anC
she possesses every climate, from
the tropical to the frigid, in prox
unity to each other. With tn,
contemplated improvements in in
ternal communication she must ad
vance beyond the dream of he
most patriotic citizens. So far as
| am concerned. / shall be very
glad if | can contribute to this re
suit. | hope that we may be tn,
warmest of friends and that tht
two republics may exist always.