Speech #500020896

The generous and magnanimous interest shown by our sister Republic of Mexico in the worlds exposition it New Orleans has already accomplished much in the way of establishing closer commercial relations between the United States and Mexico. It is a remarkable fact that while our nearer neighborhood to our sister Republic of Mexico. lying next to us on the Gulf. has made us somewhat familiar with her products. resources. capacities. and wants. our people are almost strangers to the trade and commerce of Central and South America. indeed. it may be said to be almost an unknown country to the vast majority of the sturdy. energetic. and progressive people of North America. It is estimated that in the last fifty years more than ten millions of immigrants have landed on the shores of North America. Theyhave spread over our vast and fertile fields and into our manufactories and workshops. and added to the products of labor to such an enormous extent that we may be said to be the producers of the food and clothing and manufactures and machinery of the world. and one of the greatest problems. upon the successful solution of which depends our national prosperity. is that of the movement and distribution of the surplus products of our labor. In looking for markets for the surplus product of our nations labor our eyes naturally turn to the countries which border on our great internal sea. the Gulf of Mexico. and yet when we examine the statistics of the commerce of our immediate neighbors whose ports lie at our very doors. we find the field occupied by British.