Page:Face to Face With the Mexicans.djvu/549

Rh not coincide with your own habits and training, and accommodate yourself with becoming grace to what you will there meet.

The much-desired first step toward the establishment of a mutual understanding and an international interest was taken at the New Orleans Exposition of 1884-5, which marked a new era in the history of Mexico, and throughout succeeding time will be turned to, as a beneficent agency, having brought before the public mind in the United States the various resources, the taste, skill and ingenuity, as well as the musical talent and proficiency of the Mexican people.

Following closely upon this was the Mexican Editorial Excursion to the United States, when the men who wield the instrument "mightier than the sword," were feasted and toasted everywhere. Being thus enabled to see the representative American on his own soil, either with the entourage of high position in political and social life, or at home with his household gods about him, they each and all returned with a better feeling toward our people.

One of these editors, Señor Alberto Bianchi, has published a book with illustrations, descriptive of the journeyings and impressions of the excursionists. Since their return they have interested themselves largely, in their different sections, in the cause of public education, and some have established normal schools.

But the future greatness of Mexico depends more upon the development of her internal resources than upon the introduction of foreign manufactures; more, too, upon her agricultural and domestic industries than on mines, mining, or the now widely scattered factories and mills. An untold wealth lies dormant in her bosom, an uncomputed richness in her veins. The seemingly insignificant agencies which by cultivation have given impetus and strength to our own internal greatness, are to-day in their infancy in our sister republic.

With a population of ten millions, Mexico cannot, strictly speaking, be called a consuming country, for the reason that the majority of her people are the humble poor who live solely on home product; who neither know nor ask anything beyond manta, tortilla, chili, and cigarette. It is quite manifest, however, that trade with the United