Smyrna times., 1881-03-02

New LIFE IN MEXICO Torbert
when he went down with the ill-fated
Ciy of Vera Cruz was on mission to
foster and develop the resources of a
neighboring Republic in the interest Of
company who proposed to build rail-
way across it. He was not permitted to
see that fertile country nor bring his
plans before its authorities, but OH every
hand there are signs of a new life in that
land but a few years ago given up to
anarchy. Before the presidency of Jau-
rez it was the land of Revolutions with
new Government almost every month.
Every succeeding revolution, however,
was blow at the controlling power of
priest craft until it was practically broken,
and now their governmental changes are
constitutionally made like our own, and
by the new order of things the Prot
estant religion is protected and churches
Of the latter are multiplying with mar
vellous rapidity. The New York Tribune
has the following comprehensive state
ment of the condition of our sister Re-
public:
"A few years of intelligent orderly
government in Mexico has done wonders
in developing a spirit of enterprise and
destroying old prtjudices The people
appear to have suddenly walked up to a
realization of the fact that they are a
century behind the times While they
have been leading lazy life in luxu-
rlous climate upon fertile soil and anus
ing themselves now and then with a rev.
olution, which usually resulted in more
noise than bloodshed, the busy world
has run away from them, and left them
plodding along far i'll the rear, with
scarcely any progress to show since they
became an independent nation. They
now see that they want railroads, tele-
graphs, steamships, machinery for their
mines, better methods of agriculture. and
thousand articles of use and comfort
which tI-r 3ndtatherS got along very
Vel HIlnout, but Which are indispensa
bic aids and accessories TO modern civiliza
ton. They zee, too, that all these thing,
are possessed by the big nation Just across
their northern border. Jealousy of thi
strong neighbor, difference of race an,
language, and not unnatural feeling O
dislike surviving their defeat in the wa
of l847-'49, have heretofore combine,
to keep them from obtaining the advant
ages which would come from closer rela
tions with us.
Now there is new order of things
and it has come with suddenness whic
surprises even those who are most familia
with Mexican affairs. Indeed it can a
most be compared to the wonderft
peaceful revolution which few years az
broke down the barriers of Japanese e,
clusivenessa and caused that country ea0erI
to stretch out its hands for the best frui
OF American and European civilization
American capitalists and engineers a
now cordially welcomed to Mexico. al
intend to construct railways and cana
under the protection and with the aid
tho Federal Government. A preferen
begins 10 be shown for American man
factures over the English and Germ,
goods which have long held undisput
possession OF the Mexican markets.
merIcans are asked 10 explore and deyel
the rich mining resources of the countr
Two lines OF railway are now buildin
largely with American capital. from {
no Grande to the City of Mexico. A
other line is TO be constructed by n,
York corporation from the Atlantic TO
Pacific, with branches to the Mexic
capital and Central America. A il
across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec is
ready begun by a Boston compar
captain Eads's ship-transjt road has be be