Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/280

238 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS in his efforts. He sounded a high note when he stated at the outset : "The peace, prosperity and contentment of Mexico mean more, much more, to us than merely an enlarged field for our commerce and enterprise. They mean an enlargement of the field of self- government and the realization of the hopes and rights of a nation with whose best aspirations, so long suppressed and disappointed, we deeply sym pathize. We shall yet prove to the Mexican peo ple that we know how to serve them without first thinking how we shall serve ourselves." Mr. Lind was sent with the following instruc tions : "Press very earnestly upon the attention of those who are now exercising authority or wielding in fluence in Mexico the following considerations and advice : "The Government of the United States does not stand in the same case with the other great govern ments of the world in respect of what is happening or what is likely to happen in Mexico. We offer our good offices, not only because of our genuine desire to play the part of a friend, but also because we are expected by the powers of the world to act as Mexico s nearest friend. "We wish to act in these circumstances in the spirit of the most earnest and disinterested friend ship. It is our purpose in whatever we do or pro-