The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-05-07
Gen, tirAat In Mexico,

The speech of Gen. Grant, at banquet given
him on the oath ult. in the city of Mexico, IN
addition to Its uncommon length, considering
the usual brevity of his oratorical utterances
was so notable for Its sound judgment and al
mlrable good sense, that we cannot resist the
temptation to copy its leading passages. Es
pecially was it spirited and sensible thing
on his part to explode in advance certain sus
piclons-which have found utterance in Mex
can as we'll as American newspapcrs-tha his
visit to the country had political significance
looking towards annexation or an Ameri
can protectorste. The frank admission of his
failure in regard to San Domingo was the
most effective illustration he could have given
the Nexicans on that head. He had come tC
them with no such visionary ideas, but purely
on an errand of business. On former visi
to the country he had found Its president very
much interested In the matter of railroads a.
means of developing Its resources. This
was feeling with which he could not help
hut sympathise, and aware that railroads were
then under construction in the United States
that were rapidly approaching the frontiers of
Mexico, he promised he would do what he
could to promote a system of railroads that
should connect the two republics, and to in,
terest American capital IN the scheme. He
was glad to say that, as result, an adequate
system of trunk lines had already been pro-
jected and was in course of construction north
of the city of Mexico; and now the idea was
conceived that for the full development of
Tie country, lines south of the city were as i'm.
portant Is north of 1t. To this end his speech
proceeds
interested the same class Of capitalists in
this subject also, and they have chosen me as
the President of what is known as the Mex
can Southern" road. | hope i! will meet with
as much favor from the citizens OF this coun-
try as from the capitalists of ours, and thai the
road will speedily be built and the develop.
ment of that rich section OF country be i'm
mediately commenced. l have no personal
interest In this myself, but am very DESTROYS
of rendering my own country, this country
and the republican form of government ser
vice wherever it is in my power to do 80.
/ have long been of the opinion that the
United States and Mexico should be the warm
est friends and enjoy the closest commercial
This country Is complement of
our own. We produce all of the northern ce
reals and fruits of the temperate zones. Mexi-
co, in addition to furnishing the same commo.
ditIes, can furnish all those of u tropical ma
ture. We are naturally large consumers of
the articles which Mexico is capable of pro-
ducing, and which we cannot ourselves pro-
duce. Our importation OF these articles-su.
gar, coffee and tobacco being the leading ones
,hroc ,nth aro dya
tropical fruits, mahogany and other valuable
now to over $500, 100000
year. We get but very few Of these articles
from Mexico, but we would like to get more,
or all of them If possible, because it would not
only benefit neighboring republic, but it
would be very great advantage to ourselves,
inasmuch as We could pay for them, partly or
in whole In articles which we can produce to |
better advantage than can Mexico. At all
events, SD large balance would not be left to
be paid IN com. Then, too, as have said on
frequent occasions in the United States, we
now get these articles from countries which |
collect revenue by levying duties upon exports. |
Mexico, like the United States encourages the |
expectation Of her products and puts no tax
upon their going out of the country. We
would save this amount by making our pur- |
chases here instead of making them where we
do now. That alone would be Of very great
advantage 10 Us As nation-but no more de- |
;irable than seeing the progress OF institutions
which we pride ourselves upon and which We
are glad to see encouraged wherever they exist
There Is no railroad enterprise now in op- |
grafton and none spoken Of with which the |
one have in contemplation will conflict, and
none to the success of which l would not lend
my aid in any way in my power, and hope |
his kindly feeling Is reciprocated by those IN
crested in the railroads now building towards
he contemplated roads of which have the |
honor Of being President. IpredIct that with |
he building OF these roads development of
his country will take place such as has never |
been witnessed in any country before. Mexico
commences her internal Improvements where
t has taken Europe fifty years OF toll, expendi-
lure and invention TO reach. With her great |
asssxal sad Tia