The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-15
Mr.. RANS0M'S REPLY
THE MINISTER TO MEXICO YES
TERDAY TELLS IN A FULL
INTERVIEW WHAT HE
DID SAY.
ALWAYS HELD MEXICO IN HONOR.

WLWNE0 nEkU mGhtN0 tN bSh~'
And so Expressed Himselfat All Times
and Places, About its People, Presi-
dent, Cabinet, Officials. Government
and Country--North Carolina Knows
Nothing Else From Him Concerning
Mexico Except That Which is Good.
Minister NJ. W. Ransom, accompanied
by Mr.. W. R. Cox, Secretary of the SEN
ate, arrived in the city yesterday. Mr..
Ransom left this morning for Blowing
Rock; Mr.. Cox will spend the day in
Raleigh.
The Minister to Mexico stood yester-
day afternoon in the lobby of the Var
boro, surrounded by many friends. He
was dressed in a Prince Albert suit Of
orav. and seemed stouter and taller than
ever. and his appearance was IN every
way hearty, with face broDzed and his
military beard cropped, but longer than
usual. There was none of the Invalid
look about the ex Senator, his eye seem
ing unduly clear from the animation
consequent upon his Misunderstanding with
his old friends in Raleigh, but in spite
of appearances, the Minister said he was
not vet in a condition to make him IN
mindful of his late attack, and upon
closer look. there could be detected
traces of what must be called the lines
of feebeness.
"Yet," said Mr.. Ransom, II expect to
be well enough to return to my post in
Mexico in about two weeks"
He did not think he would remain
longer in North Carolina, but did not
feel that he could leave the State before
coming again to say goodbye TO those
who were so dear to him in Raleigh.
In the face of his denial yesterday
morning of the fa'se rumor sent out con-
corning an alleged criticism by the Minis
ter of the Mexican government, the re-
porter of the NEWS AND OBSERVER did
not hesitate to ask him for some fuller
expression.
The Minister expressed the greatest
regret that such a report had ever had
any existence. In speaking Of Mexico,
said he, he had invariably expressed a
very high opinion of its present admins
tration, of the President and Of his
cabinet.
81 have the sincerest admiration" he
continued, ''for President Diaz and have
cherished a warm friendship for Minis
ter Mareschal, who has been most con-
siderate to me in every way during my
stay in Mexico. have never uttered a
word which | conceived could be con-
strued into derogation of any official in
Mexico. felt it to be my duty to my
own government to cultivate the most
friendly relations with Mexico and her
people and it would have been a serious
error for me to have said or done any
thing that would disturb the confidence
between the two governments. | never
had thought of any corruption or inns
propriety on the part Of the Mexican
officials
s'But," said the minister with man
ner perfectly free from any acerbity, 81
do not think that the statement emanated
from malice. 1t may be possible that in
speaking Of the alleged position Of Mexi-
co in reference to the extradition of
fugitives from justice from this country
| used some expression to the effect that
citizenship was the first and highest
element Of good government, and that
no country could afford to have that great
right established by anything like fraud,
and /. doubtless, expressed great con
fidence that upon full consideration, the
Mexican government, sensitive about its
honor, would not maintain that its citi-
zenship could be obtained by any but the
most approved and honorable method.
Some inadvertent listener to some re-
mark of this kind must have construed
the fraud alluded to as applying to Mex
lean officials and not to the miserable
device of the fugitive who had employed
it. | have frequently said that it was
impossible in this age that any country
could allow fraud to be the road to the
inestimable right of citizenship, but on
all occasions, and | have spoken sincerely
in the highest terms of the ability, pa
triotism and honor Of the Mexican gov
eminent and its officers"
Since the return of Minister Ransom
from Mexico, a reporter OF the NEWS AMI
OBSERVER has had ample opportunity,
in different portions of the State, to catch
expressions of opinion from him,
specially upon Mexican matters,
and the result of the Minister'S express
ions everywhere has been only to dis
semlnate a wider and more favorable
knowledge among North Carolinians Of
Mexico and its government. So faI
from having said anything, in the many
conversations had with the NEWS AMI
OBSERVER reporter. in disparagement OF
the Government or people of Mexico OF
its officers, Minister Ransom's statements
printed and otherwise, have produced il
the United States a most favorable i'm
preston of the Mexican people and their