Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-24
WHAT MEXICO REALLY IS.
IMPARTIAL ACCOUNT OF THE
COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.
Good Commercial Chances for Ameri-
cans Who will be Patient-Mexicsn
Home and Business Life Described.

cable settlement seems all but guaran-
teed, and the fact that until Gen. Sedg-
wick shall have accomplished mis- MIS-
sion there is confessed fertility in fur
Their speculation. the Mexican imbroglio
remains the preferred topic Of the hour
here. There is no thought of war, for in
the face of things, as revealed to the most
ordinary observer, that cannot seriously
be entertained. The President and all
out two members of his Cabinet are alb
sent from town, whipping trout streams or
taking their summers rest, while tne
Secretary of State, who remains at his
post, is occupied there in the main with
the routine business of the department.
The person, therefore, who is at pains
either to talk or write OF war under such
circumstances is one who delights in
strife and signs for a constantly running
stream of gore, or else some dutiful and
gifted correspondent who replies to an
urgent demand from the home office. Dis
cusslon now is of the country of Mexico,
the real character OF Its people and the
value and stability of their institu-
tons, and very largely OF the bust
ness development and prospects.
The average conclusion arrived at, it is
ohHCOcoSeAAy
mentary to that country or its people.
The average American either holds Next
cans ana Mexico in utter adherence, or
else looks down patronlzingly as upon an
intellectually stunted and a scrub race,
appropriately inhabiting land possess
ing few advantages but lnnumerable OBJ
Jections. IL he conceive of conquest it is
always accompanied by the condition
that the natives would have to be driven
ar tnr inn fnI. hat nda nir
cumstances could they be trusted or even
endured as fellow citizens called upon to
help sustain social ana political fabric
OF enlarged and improved proportions.
One hears a great deal of this sort of
thing nowadays-almost any company
will supply it-but now and then some
man appears who knows whereof he
speaks, and then it is that wholly differ
ent view is presented. 1t 10 as different,
indeed, as day is from night, and it serves
at once to correct gross and IneXcusa-
BILE error, and at the same time enlarge
the scope of the home vision.
You will not find in Washington a
gentleman more thoroughly informed as
to Mexico and her people than Col. David
Ferguson, a prominent member OF the
Metropolitan Club and a keen and edu-
Gated observer of public wants. He spent
twenty years IN extensive business op sra-
tons there. amassed large estate and
enjoyed every opportunity of tamiliariz-
ing himself with the surroundings. He
returned to the United States only some
four years ago, but has retained his inter-
ests in Mexico, and through an extensive
correspondence which he keeps up is al
most as correctly informed as to the
country and its Advancement as though
he still resided there. He would not dis
cuss the Cutting affair with the CORES
pendent, but on the subject of Mexico, the
business field afforded there, how it is to
be improved and how the people are to be
won as friends and neighbors he was most
obliging and entertaining.
alt is delightful country" he said,
"once you establish yourself to advantage.
The climate is mild and invigorating,
and the society in the centers cultivated
and agreeable. Nowhere on the earth are
the better classes of people more kindly
disposed or capable of truer or more last
ing friendships. The domestic life is
gentle and pure. The arts and sciences
are cultivated to a degree not conceived
of in this country. The professional
mans course at the university is, as
rule, much more thorough, and his prepa-
rations much more careful than among
US. The physician, the lawyer, the edu.
catOr-each IS well equipped before he en-
tiers upon his life work. | regard the
public school system there as nearly
perfect. 1t is free You know, as
with US, and In many of the States
education is obligatory. There is as
much religious federation, and IL is
as sincere as exists in this country. The
American citizen is constantly reminded,
indeed, of ali that enters into the aspira-
tons of his own cOuntrymen for the bet
terment of their social and political con-
dition by that which on every hand
confrOnts fair and unprecedented obser-
walton. The people of the two countries
differ, of course, but in nothing that
authorizes hatred or contempt on either
side. or that should serve as barrier to
the existence OF the completest, the most
cordial friendship between them. The
MeXicans are quick enough of apprehen-
sion, and are capital companions. They
do not lead the hurried, money haunted
life that we do, and it is a question if
they are not the happier in their slower
natures.
"You ask me about the business field.
1t is very inviting to men who Will 20
there and identity themselves with the
people and their customs. He cannot
hope to succeed, and be will not deserve
| to succeed, however, who goes there and
sneers at his neighbors, bushes himself
with their private affairs, treats laws and
local customs with open contempt and
acts in every way as If he considered him
! self superior person. But such course
will bring failure anywhere. Neither
will the man succeed who goes TO Mexico
bent on making fortune in short time,
and then hurrying off again. The fact is,
too many Americans emigrate with that
| idea. They are In too great a
hurry. Feeling that they possess a
superior order OF talent or business ener-
gy, an article OF manufacture. they want
its superiority recognized at oSce. IL
this recognition is denied, they grow i'm
patient and resentful. The great requi-
site is patience-staying qualities. The
truth Is that while our articles OF manu-
facture are greatly superior TO those of
Mexico, a very great deal may still be
! cheaply and adyantageously accomplish
ed with the primitive implements in use
there. Great and important works are
pushed forward with tnem at small ex-
pense, and this. of course, initiates
against their immediate abandonment.
In time, however, they must give place to
improved methods, and, in fact, are al
ready doing So"
'But the American labors under no dis
advantages because OF his country, does
hep"
mot in the slightest degree. The Next
cans feel very friendly towards this coun-
try, and respond readily enough to over
lures, whether commercial or social. We
labor under no disadvantages that we
may not in the greatest measure remove.
An important point against us is that as
! ppu N "a rod with aitha. tho E'usyltsA Tho