The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-02-04

action between overthrow classes, the
church and foreign nations, which led TO
the establishment of the empire under
Macmillan. That was a fateful period.
with her own upper classes against her,
and the nations of the civilized world, ex-
cept the United States arrayed against her
But Jaurez, the heroic, neld his gallant
band of men together. never allowing the
Mexican flag to trail in the dust. He
preserved the Independent nationality Of
Mexico and as the prcserver, will always
be remembered
Up to this time, 1t is true" continued
Consul Ornelas Mexico had made no ma
teral progress \ nation struggling for
life and at war has neither the leisure nor
the opportunity TO enter upon the develop
ment of her resources. But now, as the
fit successor to Juarez. who preserved the
nation, we have Porfrio Diaz, whose priVl-
lege it is to develop it.
Mexico IL Improving.
1.-THE Mexico Of today is not the Mexico
of fifteen. ten or even five years ago. Nv
cry year now marks distinct advance
Schools are being established everywhere
and our young men, not content with the
advantages Of their own country, ana
crowding the colleges of foreign lands.
We have among Us now historians poets
and philosophers, who ate building up d
Mexican literature as varied ana as able
as that OF the United States. They DO
not condne themselves, but cover every
department into which the human mind
enter.
In the work OF natural advancement
we are keeping pace equally We'll I'M
proved methods are surely finding their
way all through Mexico. Our far
ners are learning what is possible
with the soil our young men are studying
every line Of craftsmanship ana TO Jealousy
awaits the newcomer from whom some
thing may be learned. In many respects
Mexico is like Japan, whose anxiety to get
abreast Of the times mas met Win sum
marked success.
.'rPhe controlling element in Mexico today
Is the middle class composed Of those or
mixed blood it is from the strong forces
of the peasantTy that the nation rs buiiC up.
The upper class which has the money, is
inert Inactive. They have lost all energy.
and contribute nothing 20 the country.
They are not like the rich class of the
United States, which is sttN composed,
mainly, of the men who have made J9e
money The wealthy men Of Mexico are
those who have inherited il and who have
not the energy of those who first made It.
From one cause or other they drop out Or
die and the native Mexican, the man with
the blood Of the Old tribes in his veins,
takes his place.
Il am glad that the press Of the United
States IS taking an interest I'm Mexico. IT
Mexico could only have her Edwin ArnoEi
as Japan had hers, it would be an untold
blessinC-some literary man from abroad
who could catch up her people, their hopes,
ambitions and lives. into q literary gem
which would make them shine out 70 the
. W,-id, it.woUld do more for Mexico than an
'asbipctor ca-.,.1 ,cn.hirai Take up the
cotstrv by efis-by the lives of the men
who have eliminated the eras-iltdalso.
orr Washington. Juarez our lincoln, aud
Diaz. our Grant-what a charming volume
it would make"
The Free Zone.
The Mexican territory bordering on the
Rio Grande is known as the free zone.
which exends for an average IF fifty miles
10 the interior. It's creation was a result of
the war of ISIS. Previous 80 that time the
peorIe Of the United States and of Mexico
had an trlmcuse stretch OF territory he
tween them. ana no exchange Of trade took
place. Upon the selection of the Rio
Grande as the border line. towns sprans up
ON both sides of the line. Those ON the
north side Aourishcd. because in the United
states there were no internal taxes. ana
the customs duties were low, while those on
the Mexican side fingered because of the
heavy internal revenue tavcs, wh.cA have
always been collected by that government.
The consequence was loss OF business,
population and revenue 70 Mexico, 10 the
more prosperous towns On the other side
II the river. In 1852 the United States gov