Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/644

638 intercourse; and trade and traffic was uninterrupted. It is an indisputable fact that the people of the country felt more secure in person and property in the presence of an invading foe than they did under their own government. By this intercourse they realized their degraded condition and were inspired with a desire for something better.

Right then and there were sown the seeds of progress that have since sprung up, and are budding forth frait, that will produce a wonderful yield in the harvest of the future. The lessons of progress and enterprise were then taught that are bursting the long, lethargic sleep of indolence, bigotry, superstition, and arrogance that had bound it since the conquest by Cortez, and Mexico is now awaking to a new life; her powers and capabilities expanding; her government more secure than ever before; religious freedom is gaining ground; education has received a new impetus; railroads and telegraphs are being built; and she will soon take prominent position in the family of nations.

Now, let us look at the territory acquired by the United States by that war. It was conquered by Cortez as a part of the Aztec Empire, long before settlements began in the United States, but, except a few trading posts in Texas, New Mexico, and on the Pacific coast, it remained in the state of nature, occupied by roving savages, the home of wild beasts.

It came into the possession of the United States, and lo! what a change. All the wonders of the Arabian Nights sink into insignificance in comparison with the prodigies brought forth by this modern Aladdin—the Mexican War.

When he burnished his magic lamp, the genii of the mountains threw open wide the doors of their secret vaults and disclosed to an astonished world such untold millions of wealth that the nations stood aghast and dumb with wonder.

The genii of the plains spread out a panorama of such exquisite loveliness and beauty to the gaze of down-trodden husbandmen of every clime that a perfect torrent of the rich and poor of every name and nation has been rushing to their