ing itself by slow progression. The internal dissensions that have heretofore distracted Mexico, and her failure to adopt the standard in progression as fixed by her neighboring republic, are some of the inevitables; and there is no remedy save time and perseverance on the part of reformers who are kindred spirits with the Mexican people. No foreign power need ever expect with ruthless hand to break down Mexican customs, laws, peculiarities and institutions. Such changes as are made must be made slowly. With the American idea of government in Mexico the worst evils would arise. The ultraism of American reforms would defeat all reform.
Mexico has taken no backward step. Since she made her natural secession from the Spanish crown she has progressed, and her institutions have advanced in proportion. From each revolution she has emerged, purified, strengthened and with government better fitted for a people who in the end will enjoy full liberty under a pure republic. Her revolutions are the fires through which she must pass for refinement. They accomplish in a brief, though desperate, period what it might require ages to perfect by moral suasion.
While the "home rule" has been tumultuous in the extreme, yet it was the only government that was destined by the Allwise to survive; to stand at last, perfected in its own way, a fitting monument to the sore trials and afflictions of a brave people.
The antagonism between the United States and Mexico is unquestionably more largely due to border troubles than to any other cause. The dividing lines between countries have always been scenes of trouble, and, considering the causes that exist for unfriendly feeling, the difficulties that occur on the Rio Grande are not remarkable. On either side of this line the stormy elements break with tumult, the one against the other. The floating, unsettled population drift to both borders, and the magistracy on both sides is feeble.
Let there be a better magistracy on both borders. Let both governments bend their energies to hold in check the wild, disorderly elements that seek their boundaries, hoping to be under no rule. It is only by mutual effort in this direction that these troubles can be
