The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-09-02

are assailed by II stronger power. This
was shown particularly when Maxmil-
liam, of Austria, under the tutilage of
the French emperor, Napoleon III, at
tempted to set up an empire there.
When his movement began the United |
States were in the throes of a revolution |
which threatened to disrupt the fair |
fabric of this great Republic, but fortu-
nately for all of us the soldiers of the |
Onion were successful, and the country
was restored to more than its former
greatness. While the Frenchmen and
Austrians were debating as to the divis
ion of Mexico, General Grant and Gene
raj Sheridan were making arrangements
to drive Bazaine and his army from the
country, and, las soon as hostilities ceased
in the United States, an army of more
than 10000 men was congregated on the
Rio Grande, ready and waiting to drive
the last vestiee of the imperial usurpa
ton from American soil.
To this fact the republic of Mexico
owes it's existence to-day. Nor is this all.
When Erea, britain in it's dispute with
Venezuela was preparing to appropriate
all the best gold mining lands of the lat
ter country, Uncle Sam stepped forward
quietly and asked the British lion to de-
sist. He did so IL the most becoming
manncr,and what seemed to he the source
of serious mischief on this con tinent was
speedily removed.
Thus it is shown that the United States
stands ready to fight for the rights of all
the republics on the American continent,
and as matter of gratitude, if nothing
more, the people of those countries
should give us the preference in all their
trade relations. Steps to promote this
most desirable result have recently been
taken by merchants of this country and
by the business men of the Spanish
American republics. We have gone there,
they have come here and the mutual rea-
tions CT friendship and amity have been
thoroughly strengthened and improved.
Naturally the trade relations between the
Northern and Southern portions of the
Western hemisphere should be more init
mate and cordial. Besides the political
and territorial interests which they share
in common, they are mutually able to
supply each others commercial wants to
much greater extent than is now car
ried on. But, while this is true, only II
fractional part of South Americas trade
has found its way into this market nj
though the outlook for the future is
more reassurinc.
For the fiscal year ending June 30,
1897, the value of the South American
nearly s., 500, 900 less than for the year
preceding. Instead of this meagre show
ing our trade relations ought to ag.re-
gate annually at least $3.50, co, 0000. Com
paratve figures for 1898, '96 and '97 show
a small increase: but it is nothing to
what it ought to be, AID it is because the
merchants and business men of this coun-
try, especially of the South, are not work
ing as they should work. The interests
of all the American republics in trade
and other matters are more or less the
same, and if the people of all these coun-
tries will work for the proper promotion
OF trade relations with each Other, they
will not only keep their money Mt home,
but will hep to build up the trade and
commerce of the continent.
! The United States occupies Il com
manding position in this respect, and if
the young men of this country will study
the Spanish language and aim tn become