Arizona republican., 1898-02-20


 exist and it is believed it will be so long
 as two such grand men, such able and conscientious statesmen, men of such intense patriotism as President Nc
 Kinley and President Diaz or men of
 their class remain at the head of their
 respective governments
 | It will be recalled by men of my age as well as by all students of history that during the great nternecine strug- gle in some instances in which the hand of brother was against brother and father against son, no favors were shown by the Mexican government to the southern confederacy nor was any sympathy expressed. This was the more remarkable and the more grati- flying to the government at Washing ton when it was considered that the boundary of Mexico was so close to some of the states engaged in the re- bellion.
 When England, Spain, Austria and other countries exhibited such inde- cent haste in recognizing the belliger- ency of the confederacy, Mexico main tained an honorable neutrality in an honorable way. This is one reason why the people of the United States ought to and do feel friendly to the people of Mexico. Another unanswer- able reason is that Mexico is a sister republic upon the same continent. i There are many other reasons that could be mentioned which, however, are unnecessary, but I desire to be permitted to mention one reason why Mexico should feel kindly towards the United States. When Napoleon the Third determined to plant a monarchy ic ny,1 fI, Spain usurped and overthrow the Mex ican government, the United States i government as soon as they were over their own serious trouble told the en-
 peror of France in very plain Ian guage that the Monroe doctrine which forbade the establishing of a monarch ial government upon this continent must be enforced and that the French and all other armies of foreign gov ernments must be withdrawn. In vain did the emperor and his minister plead for an abatement of the decree but our government was firm and they were withdrawn. And Maximillian was speedily dethroned I might enumerate many other reasons why there should be most friendly relations between the two republics but it is un- necessary. It is to be hoped that nothing may occur to change those amicable relations. This is not the time nor the place to make compari- sons between the forms of the two governments or their respective modes of governing, but I believe it is not i'm proper to say even in the presence of the governor of one of the sovereign states of the republic of Mexico that the people of the United States think theirs is the freest and the best gov ernment that the sun anywhere shines | upon This is only said in the hope that the republic of Mexico, which is nearly hundred years younger than the republic of the United States, may profit by our experience and by our example. If I was asked to give any advice to our sister republic it would be to diffuse all the learning and knowledge possible among the people. The common schools of America are the bulwarks of her liberties It is through our magnificent system of common schools that learning and knowledge is sent into every house. held in our land. The foundation of our government is the ballot By the ballot we elect our rulers; by the bal lot we make and enforce our laws
 In fact, the ballot is government by the people, for the people and of the people. Our government more than any other government present or past, exists in the virtue and intelligence of the people. Freedom to live and to enjoy fully the fruits of our labors and efforts in every direction and to do as our VII sweet will dictates so long as we violate the rights of none or violate no law is guaranteed to every citizen of our republic.
 When it is remembered that the people of no country or cline has long enjoyed the blessings of civil liberty, that were ignorant or remain ed in ignorance, it will be seen how very important is education, not only individually but nationally. I there fore say to the people of our sister re- public and especially to those of our neighboring state of Sonora that if they can strengthen, improve and build up their system of public educa- tin it will be a most wise thing to do. In our country, even in our newer ter ritories, the facilities for obtaining the education that our common school system affords is almost as free as the air we breathe or the water we drink At least this is so everywhere except In some or the OVer-peOpled cities. And the education afforded by these com mon schools which have been so greatly improved and ele- vated in such that the young man or the young woman who acquires such an education as is there afforded, if they possess energy, in tegrity of character and a determina- tion to succeed, need not fall behind in the race of life. The good people