I appreciate the high honor conferred upon me by the presence of the
Vice-President, the members of the Cabinet, and so many representatives
of foreign nations, so many of whom are old acquaintances of mine. It is
very pleasing to me to find myself among you, as the guest of the
official representative of the United States in Mexico.
I beg you to join me in a sentiment which is not personal--the economic
cooperation of Mexico and the United States. This is a sentiment which
will be concurred in by all those present, as it will redound to the
benefit of all civilized countries who are engaged in commercial
pursuits. I hope that the development of progress may follow its course
to the end that the two countries adjoining each other for thousands of
miles, may, by means of mutual commerce, interchange of capital, labor,
and the fruits of intelligence and experience, attain the results
reached by the states of the American Union, regardless of the distance
between us, because of our mutual cooperation. The signs of the times,
as I understand them, show a possibility of an increase in the relations
between the two countries, situated so closely on this continent. The
whole world has reached a state of progress which renders possible
better economic, political, and social relations. A repetition of the
war of 1846 between Mexico and the United States would be impossible
today;--it would be impossible because the progress of each country, the
experience, the prudence of their governments, the knowledge of the
business of Mexico would prevent it; general public sentiment in the
United States would also be opposed to it.
The European invasion of Mexico, in the year 1861, would be impossible
today; no one of the three nations would have any thought of attempting
it today. An attempt to establish an empire here neither would nor could
be thought of as possible.
The whole world has advanced to a degree when international relations
and interchange of courtesies between nations have facilitated the
establishment of peaceful correspondence, which would not have been
possible before, because of the want of a stability in their relations.
The desire to advance a degree towards the assurance of intimate
relations and greater friendship has caused us to accept with pleasure
the kindly and gracious invitation of President Diaz to visit Mexico--a
visit which shall remain a source of pleasure during all of my life, and
during which I have received proofs of friendship and kindness and
generous hospitality beyond anything I expected, and for which I beg
you, citizens of Mexico, to kindly accept my sincerest gratitude.