The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-05-15
iSt and the
Traveller.

Traveller.
II IS strange, writes II, II. Talbot,
in the Magazine Of Travel that.
through so many years of intelligent
study and travel, we Of tho United
States have persistcntly continued in
almost absolute ignorance regarding
the people, the institutions, and the
resources of Mexico, our nearest, most
powerful, and most promising neigh
Dor, n land possessing untold min
cral wealth, rcvelling in magnificent
scenery, producing the most delicious
fruits and most beautiful flowers, rich
IN an agriculture that neither recog-
nizes the rule of the seasons nor re-
quires the stimulating aid of science,
rejoicing in q climate more eQuable
than that Of fair Italy, and peopled
by q race whose chief characteristics
are kindness, sympathy tenderness,
generosity, hospitality, patriotism, and
bravery.
We have taxed the capacity of every
Atlantic steamship, since steam ac-
quired mastery of the deep, in an i'm
patient desire to visit Europe. we
have risked the dangers of every sea,
and of every means of travel, to know
other countries and other peoples; we
have encountered and overcome
every conceivable obstacle. that we
might see the world with our own
eyes; but we have overlooked Mexico,
whose history is so full of romance
and of tragedy; whose valleys and
mountains form a panorama of sur
passing grandeur; whose customs
could hardly be more unlike our own
If the country were separated from us
by vast empires; whose commercial
possibilities offer most tempting in
ducements to our capital and enter
prise, and whose government affords
every reasonable protection to life and
property.
The difficulty in reaching and pene-
trating Mexico when the only means
involved a choice between an ocean
voyage from New York by the way Of
Havana to Vera Cruz; a sail from New
Orleans or Galveston on the treacher-
Gus waters of the Gulf of Mexico; and
a tedious, eXhausting, and more or less
dangerous journey by stage-coach
from some point on the Rio Grande,
was sufficient to deter any but the
bravest and most resolute from at
tempting the task, however alluring
the promise of reward. Then there
We're frequent revolutions-the old
time curse of the country-with their
long train of misfortunes, not the least
of which was insecurity of the prop
erty and life of the traveller who
might happen to be in. the country
when one of these was in progress.
And the time and expense involved
in the journey were so great as to con-
stitute an insurmountable obstacle To
very many who would have braVed
every other.
None of these barriers now inter
pose to divert the traveller, the in
quiring mind, the seeker for a home
under brighter than Italian skies, or
the merchant or manufactu ambi-
tious to extend his trade to other
lands. Railways have spanned the
border river at various points, and
marched as conquering heroes through
plain and valley, and over mountains
TO the capital of the great republic
and still others are pushing their way
into every part of the country, bearing
glad tidings of the new era of progress
and prosperity which a wise ruler and
his able and patriotic advisers have
inaugurated and American capital is
aiding. Revolutions have not only
ceased to be popular, but are no long.
er possible. Peace spreads her white
wings from the Gulf of Mexico to the
ntG
to the Gulf of Tehauntepec; a credit
that is an ''open sesame" to the money
vaults of the world has been estab.
lished; learning is earnestly encour.
aged, and practical education Is pro,
vided everywhere and for every child
whether rich or poor, high-born ol
low-boIn; modern implements of la,
Dor are successfully asserting theii
superiority over the inferior methods
of centuries; there is ample protec
tion for all; there is neither religion!
prescription nor political domination
nor does there exist a prejudict
against anything good which canno
be overcome by an honest presenta
tion of the truth, by kindness, by man
ifesting a constderate and REASONABLE
regard for the integrity and sincerity
OF existing methods, which, havinl
prevailed hundreds Of years. SHOULD
not be expected to disappear in a.
many days. Prejudice, like the snow
is cold; but, unlike the snow, it canno
be dissolved by the suns rays in
single day. Only the sunshine OF ear
nest, patient effort, inspired by fra
ternal regard, by genuine apprecia
tion by love, will accomplish this
These will melt prejudice; these ma,
be made the means of winning tn
Mexican people from old ways to new
and of making them the truest friend
our country will ever know. That the,
possess in a notable degree the ele
ments of character which the indi
vidual or the country should requir
in choosing a friend, no one will ques
tion who has had an opportunity an
shown "a disposition to study an
rightly understand them.
1t must be manifest to every right
thinking person who has visited Mex
leo, that both the country and the pee
pie have been little understood or sad
ly misunderstood here in the Unite
States; that the half has not bee
told us; or, If told, has not been be
lieved, either as regards the possibilI
ties of the one or the good qualities c
the other. The Mexico of Montezum
nj Of ff1a