National Republican., 1884-06-18
ALL FOR GOOD.
The Ways and Means Committee On Our
Relations With Mexico.
A Treaty That Will Be Of Advantage
TO Both Countries.
How II VIII Probably Affect the Sugar Interests Of
louisiana
Administering TnGy 60 Mexico and the
South American States.

In the report accompanying tho bill TO
carry into effect tho Mexican treaty, prepared
by Mr. A.. S. Hewitt, and reported from tho
ways and means committee yesterday, tho
committee says;
BY reference TO the terms of the treaty II
will be found that the United States agrees to
admit from Mexico FREQ Of duty twenty-eight
articles, of which all but seven are now free
of duty under the existing tariff. In return
for this uncomfortable concession the govern
ment of Mexico agrees to admit free of duty
seventy three articles, all of which, except
six, are now subject to duties averaging ovor
so per cent. ON tho dutiablo value. From
this brief statement the balance OF advantage,
as a mere business transaction, would seem
to be largely in favor of the United States.
In two respects only would there seem to bo
any interference with any productive in
dustry carried on in this country.
II has been feared that the sugar industry
Of Louisiana might be unfavorably affected
by the free admission Of raw Mexican sugars,
and that the profits Of tobacco culture might
ultimately in some way ho affected.
No serious injury can be reasonably antici-
pated as to eithor of these interests whom IL
is considered that the total amount of sugar
imported from Mexico during tho last six
years was 1,793, III pounds, valued at S63,519,
and of tobacco $1,000 pounds valued at
$20,651. 1t is moreover conceded that Mexico
at present does not raise sufficient sugar for
its own use,nnd that its tobacco ia of q quality
which does not interfere with tho product of
the United States, but. on the contrary, would
advantageously supplement- it and replace tho
tGh dob ID s..,V~ NnI f.s., he
island Of Cuba. The objection, therefore,
arises rather from tho apprehension in the de-
velopment of Mexico in the production OF
these two articles than from any considerable
importation at the present time. The pros
pect Of interference is evidently too remote
to weigh against tho great advantages which
will accrue TO us from tho admission of our
manufactures free of duty into Mexico. If
at some future time the sugar business should
be largely developed, 1t must be remembered
that its growth would afford a proportion
ately large outlet for our machinery and lead
to an interchange of crude products from
Mexico for these forms of value, In which
skilled labor is most largely required, and
from which the profits are most considerable.
We shall derive from the healthful and
natural action Of the proposed free inter-
changes of commerce tho beneficial results
which we have failed to get out of the re-
strictive policy which has heretofore checked
tho natural growth of business between two
neighboring and friendly nations.
Mexico is the cato through which this
| country will find its connection with the
Central and South American states. At
present our commerce with those countries is
carried on under very great disadvantages.
We buy from them far more than we sell, and
We cannot hope to reverse this operation Sc
long as our manufactured products cost more
| than similar articles produced in Europe.
IN dnxr ia faR tata ant han tkna
elements of greater cost will disappear and
when our relations with the great American
states to the south of us will become more
| intimate, commercially as we'll as politically.
The time has already arrived when we
must adopt continental policy, laying
its foundations broad and deep
in the mutual interests of intimate CONNER
cial and political sympathics. Tho Monroe
doctrine must bo asserted and enforced
While we ought to welcome tho investment
of foreign capital on the continent and ia
| moko no objection to the construction OF
highways of commerce, nevertheless il is
essential for our safety, as we'll as our
growth, that we shall exercise controlling
influence in the affairs of the western world.
1t may not be desirable that we should
extend the limits Of our sovereignty beyond
our own borders, but every measure which
tends to establish clOsor relations with our
neighbors, to create mutual interests, to
develop common hopes and sympathies, and
to tie us more closely together in the support
of tho principles of free government and the
progress of human liberty should be en-
couarged. 1t is for this reason that the treaty
with Mexico marks an era in the progress Of
the western world and in the spread of that
sentiment of mutual friendship which should
animate its inhabitants. Between us there
are no antagonisms either of government or
of commercial interest. Happily, we are
free from the evils which have descended
from despotic governments. Endowed with
all the elements of wealth and happiness, we
have only ourselves to reproach if wo do not
form prosperous and contented communities.
With perfect freedom of exchange secured,
promises of tho ages can be realized in tho
western world. The spread of knowledge,
tho free interchange of opinions and of pro.
ducts, will tend to produce among its inhabit-
ants that equitable distribution of tho
fruits of human comfort which the
old world has failed to secure. Happily
we have not exhausted fields to cultivated
but the whole unbounded continent is ours for
life, liberty, and tho pursuit of happiness.
We have only to cultivate peace and good
will with our neighbors and accept every
opportunity for free intercourse and free
exchange in order TO complete tho damonstra-
tion that the blessings which have crown cd
tho unrestricted commercial intercourse of
the states of our union with each other may
bo extended and enjoyed by all tho people
Of the western hemisphere not only in peace
and security, but without peril to their
political existence as free and independent
nations.