The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1882-02-02
MEXICO.

Although there is ~ great deal Of in
formation current about Mexican at.
fairs, the exact circumstances Of our
eighbor republic are but imperfeetly
known by tho majority of people, anu
facts like tho folio ing are both reve-
lation and surprise: The population
OF Mexico stands at 10000. 600. which
| is distributed in LAG cities, 372 towns.
4 ,4S6 villages, 5 missions. $3.50 haci-
endas, 1905 ranches, and In 2,24S
small groups of houses which arc call
ed by the Mexicaus Congregations.
sbarrios,' ranch srics,' &C., &c. Value
of private real estate, rura,, S773.OW,-
600; value Of private real estate, ur.
ban, S2,55S. .O36 900; va ne OF private
chattels, all kinds, $l26. .OOO. 600; ma
tional property, $40, 900; total re-
al estate, except mines, coasts, bays,
lake., rivers, &c. SO 594 060 QUO; an.
nual corn crop, $1l2,l74 424 All az
ricultural PRODUCES, $l77 .45l ,0S5 !; in
dustrial products, Sl4,OU0.OO0. There
are in u country 324 mining districts
% placer and l,6S4 (worked) prodnc-
ing ia, ,l9l 800 pounds, yalaed at $780,
7l3 255, and mined by To-, ,240 persons.
Mexican exports ia 1880 reached q to
tai Of more than $2O,O00,000; imports
SIC, 100000. 1a.e 'a-'o 81
These statistics. will convey some
idea of the status Of the country, and
tina splendid possibilities which attend
it's future. AS yet its lands arc lying
comparatively fallew, it's resources
undeveloped, but progressive indus
try is laying the foundation for new
order of things. The stronghold Uf
Mexico is undoubtedly in the mineral
kingdom, W here she shares the regency
with the United States. Silver, gold
aud copper abound within her limits,
while lead, tin, iron, plumbago and
coal are cropping out in o score OF
places. But the mining Of these spleu-
did products is yet in Its infancy. 1t
remains for the pioneer who will fol.
low up the track of railroad enterprise
to fall heir to the big bonanza bey end
the Rio Grsnde.
Mexico is happily not . country of
but one resource. Agriculture as well
as numerous mining industries have
served to swell the revenues of the
Republic, and nourish its population
during period OF seclusiou aud isola-
ton which has just begun to give way
before the march of enterprise and lib
eral policy. Wheat growing has PROV
ed . successful venture to the farmer
Of Sonora, and the culture of sugar
cane can be Profitably carried on in
many sections OF the country. For the
rest, nearly all crops that flourish in
California thrive equally we'll in Mex.
leo, the elevations and depressions Of
the surface in the latter country afferd-
ing almost as wide . diversity of eli.
mate a. broad range Of latitude.-
Even those who have been made ia
,niliai with such rare natural advan-
tages as proyerbially belong to the
United States do not hesitate in cali.
ing Mexico beautiful aud prOmis-
ing country. .,..,.
Capitalists, whose perceptions are
painted unusually fine by considera-
tons Of sel interest, have taken the
init: alive step, which will break down
tho singular conservatism that has
hitherto hampersd the interests Of
Mexico. Raj r-ad enterprise, such as
ia now enlisted ON the Mexican side,
is the best Of all disseminating inf1u-
ences where commerce and civiliza-
tion are concerned and, before the
mere prospect of a means OF closer in
ternatiOnai communication, the inter-
esis Or Mexico are looking up bravely.
II would be worse than folly for the
United States to ignore the b mora
Bile oppur. unity for self advancement
which this movement affords. Now
is the accepted time when America
can SOW the seeds Of profitable trade
with Mexico. In seeking 10 advance
our commercial interests aud strength
en- eur relation with mere remote, and
at present, more powerful customers,
l.
ing up at osr doors, which in time
may prove desirable factor in our