The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-09
MEXICAN SCENES.
WHAT OUR SISTERS OVER THE RIO
aRANDE THINK OF Us.
characteristics OF the People of the
Two Republios-The swathy Denizen
of the Trans-Rio Grande Dignified,
: But siow-Mexlcan Water w orks.
Correspondents of The Appeal.

Correspondents Of The Appeal.
JAuREz, Mex, May 2i.--The meeting
OF two nations on common frontier, or
zona libra, like the confluence OF the Mis-
souri, and Mississippi Rivers. where both
are great and neither yielding, renders as
sanitation difficult, and the struggle for
the mastery between contending styles
and national characteristics makes a most
incongruous and bewiderng picture. The
active, pushing Aryan bustles about,
while the Aztec, with dignihed and
measured inertia, remains most peryersely
stationary. lie does not enter the march
OF progress; he is satisfied and free from
struggle His American neighbor builds
a stone or wooden house and drinks water
from cistern; the Mexican is content in
his windowless adobe, and drinks from
the mud-stained chalice OF the barrilero.
The American calls gambling a crime. and
tries TO hide It's head in the purieus and
retired places Of the city; the Mexican
views with complacency the horde Of
games Of chance ranged literally under
the drippings OF his sanctuary; and,
while American clergymen sometimes
refuse to accept money raised by
church fairs, the Mexican padre collects
from each monte ealer on the church
plaza with pious regul ariiy aud rs a mat
ter OF course. The American looks upon
his swarthy nelghbor with n brusque con-
tempt; the Mexican looks upon the Amer
lean with lordly disdain and regards his
presence in Mexico as one would regard a
boorish guest who not only insisted on
rumagng your private desks and drawers.
but who filed his pocket with your silver
ware. American girls receive company"
40 10 balls and parties with young men,
30 out shopping alone or in bevies, and
exercise their independence generally;
the Mexican senorita receives no com.
pany, never goes out unless in company
with an argus-cyed duenna, and does not
know the inside Of a dry goods store The
popular tastes Of the two peoples are dif
ferent and these tastes. cryslalized into
accomplished facts, change tho physical
appearance OF the surroundings Of each.
Is an American hungry lilo must 10
into a restaurant read over bill Of fare aud
order an elaborate repast, with toothpicks
and icowaior accomplishments A Mex.
can goes upon the PLAN, aud, for a few
cents, regales himself on tortllas aud 10.
males, or the steaming dish of liquid lire,
chile con carno is handed out aud gulped
down with never ltown.
The eye Of observation il never wearcd.
New scenes unfold themselves TO view ut
every turn, aud the philosophical mind
can busy itself pleasantly in not only dis
covering what exists, but in specializing
why IL exists. and what forces aud cOndl.
tons brought II about. The Amer.
lean and Mexican can never assimi.
late. The SLOW naughty dignity OF the
one, rs compared 10 the adventurous ra-
paciiy OF the other, is rs lire 10 water.
The weaker nation may be absorbed ar
crushed out, but never can assimiatc.
Americans are encroaching upon Mexican
territory. and will eventually cover aud
own Il, aud tho German colony planted
by Bismarck in the Northern Mexican
States, ~ a barrier 10 American conquest.
will join with those whom they were in.
tended 10 intercept, become Americans
and joint herilors In tho fruits OF peaceful
conquest.
lhIfluu - =HH@a.