At a Banquet of the International Club in Honor of Mr. Root and the
Mexican Envoys, September 28, 1907
Upon his arrival in San Antonio, Texas, on his way to
Mexico, Mr. Root was met by a reception committee designated
by President Diaz, which had come to San Antonio to welcome
him and to escort him to the national capital. While in San
Antonio, Mr. Root and the Mexican Reception Committee were
the guests of the International Club of that city; and on
the evening of the day of their arrival, a banquet was
tendered them by that club. At this banquet Mr. Root made
what may be called the first address of his Mexican visit.
The opening remarks of this speech were not reported in full
in the volume entitled _El Senor Root en Mexico_, or
elsewhere; nor were the speeches of the members of the
Mexican Reception Committee. Mr. Root began by a reference
to the ideals adopted by men and by nations, declaring his
opinion that a nation has a right to exist only in so far as
it shows its ability to care for the welfare of other
nations and the relations of every man with his fellowmen.
He spoke of the rising tide of American business which is
powerfully spreading towards the south by reason of the
financial conditions in the east of the United States, every
day becoming more stringent through the volume and
accumulation of resources. After this introduction, he spoke
at some length about the Panama Canal, the construction of
which already was in its opening stage. On this subject he
said:
The Panama Canal is now an unquestionable certainty. Relations between
the United States and the different nations which are grouped around the
Caribbean Sea, are becoming every day closer. It is impossible to
anticipate at present the tonnage which will pass through that waterway,
nor can we predict the number of vessels which will be required for its
transportation; but we do already know, that never in the world has a
new and universal trade route been opened, without bringing about a
change in the history of the entire world. And it is for this reason I
feel that upon us has fallen the mission of assisting all those nations
which will find themselves involved in the new influence. At present we
are doing everything within our power to assist Cuba in establishing
self-government. We have endeavored to stretch out our hand to unhappy
Santo Domingo, ruined by its civil wars, so that it may rise and also
govern itself. We have plunged into a discussion which really has no
further object than that of settling the disputes and the differences
which have arisen between the United States and the republic of
Colombia. And all this we do, not only through the new interest which
the prosperity of all those countries develops in ourselves, but
principally through a profound comprehension of the truth contained in
the principle above enunciated, that a nation only lives as far as it
demonstrates its right to existence by its usefulness to humanity. And
one of the most conclusive guarantees of the success of this effort is
found in the solid and loyal friendship which exists between the United
States and Mexico, with which nation, day after day, and year after
year, we are working within the limits of a peaceful and humanitarian
national policy, which at the same time is wise and intelligent. Our two
republics, now so prosperous, harmoniously work to promote a similar
prosperity amongst their sister republics to the south; and I sincerely
hope that this happy state of affairs may be prolonged for a long time
to come, and that success may finally crown our united efforts. In this
manner the two republics will fully prove their right to live, and will
show the world that their citizens are able and competent to govern
themselves without the assistance of either kings or aristocracies,
seeing that they can fill the highest mission of man, which consists in
the maintenance of law, order, justice, liberty, and peace....
I also desire to say how greatly I appreciate the distinguished courtesy
shown to myself and to the Government of the United States, by the long
journey which has been undertaken by the committee charged with the
representation of President Diaz and the Mexican Government, crossing
the frontier of their country into the state of Texas, in order to give
me welcome on the occasion of the visit I am about to make. Indeed, it
causes me the greatest satisfaction to be able to declare, without any
reserve whatever, that this action is entirely in accordance with the
conduct observed by Mexico in all international matters which have
arisen between the two countries, since I have taken any part in the
government of our own. With an immense boundary line which is only
marked by the changeable and capricious currents of the Rio Grande; with
the constant traffic across our common frontier; with thousands of
Americans residing in that country; with the countless number of
enterprises in which Americans are interested on the other side of the
Rio Grande, and with the resources of the two countries, there are
always a number of questions to be solved by the representatives of one
and the other, and there can be no doubt that they will always be solved
with the same good-will and courtesy of which such evident proof has
been given by General Rincon Gallardo, by Mr. Limantour and by their
travelling companions in coming here tonight.[5]