The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-02-04

ousy of the United States. 1t is but
natural, perhaps, that there should be
many who witness with dismay the
rapid growth of Americanism. Though |
it is bringing much benefit upon our
country, yet it is believed that it may
become power that could prove de-
structive of our national dignity and
integrity. Though l do not, by any
means, share these feelings, | under.
stand them and know of their exist
ence. For instance the Franco-Egypt-
ian banking company is composed
wholly of Mexicans and Europeans.
Its subvention was granted especially
with a view to counterfeit the strong
hold Americans are acquiring upon all
of our financial enterprises-and this
by the present administration, which
has certainly shown great favor to
American capitalists, But there is an
other view of this question which must
commend itself to the hearty approval
of every one who desires to see the
country prosperous and the people
happy. And l believe that it would
be both wise and expedient to enter
into commercial treaty by which GER
tain specified products of each coun-
try should be admitted free of duty, or
with reduced tariff, into the other for
a limited period, say three years. III
this was found advantageous to the
people Of both countries, there could
then be no opposition to extending the
list of articles admitted free to every
thing embraced within the International
commerce.
1T is beyond all doubt in my mind
that an unrestricted freedom of trade,
at the present time, would not be
equally favorable to both nations. 1t
must be remembered that, while one
country is rich and independent, the
other has only within the present de-
cade emerged from half century of
civil disturbances. Our government
is by no means rich. 1t must look
sharply after its revenue. This at pres
ent amounts to about $24,ooo,ooo per
annum, three.fourths of which is de-
rived from the tariff. Take away this
principal source of revenue, and it
would be aperplexing feat to carry on
the government without bringing back
the hard experiences of the past. l
agree with you that it would not be
wise policy to repel any advances made
by your government. But it is sad
truth that your legislators have thus
far treated this whole subject with in
difference. When they give evidence
of a generous policy they will, no
doubt, find that the highest national
welfare is the aim Of Mexico. The
question certainly requires the gravest
consideration of the statesmen and
business classes of both countries. l
cannot say that facts in political science
may not be brought to light that would
make a secondary consideration, even
if the import duty now considered so
necessary to Mexico. But internal
tranquility must always be of first i'm
portance to any nation. #, in return for
the United States granting absolute
freedom of entry to our sugar and
other bulky staples, of which they would
consume enormous quantities, our gov
eminent establishes reduced tariffs for
their manufactured articles, the result
could not but be safe and advantageous
to all concerned. The increased con-
sumption of American articles would
then be so great, and the temptation
for smuggling across the frontier be SO
materially lessened, that the proceeds
from our import duties would rather | .
increased than diminished. On Il Ell
other hand, every additional pound of
sugar or coffee or wool produced here
would mean So much more business
for American manufacturers, while no
interest in the United States would be
otherwise than benefcially affected, as
immense quantities of these products
are annually imported there from Cuba,
Brazil and Australia.
The phylloxera is rapidly spreading
in France. In 1880 only $4,000 acres
of vines were reported as infested,
while last year the acreage had In
,.o,,,J 70 ,,o nm The VINTAGE was