Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-11-01
LEARNING FROM THE PAST.


Experience is q good teacher for states
as we'll as individuals. The people OF
New Mexico have a long history behind
them, and may we'll reflect On what it
teaches as to the conditions OF prosperity
and growth OF population in this territory
judging from the past, will there ever be
Il ,urishing state and well-to.do people
here?
The condition of the village Indians and
wandering tribes found by the first Span
ish expeditions which marched over these
plains and explored these valleys and
mountains is no indication OF what au
American people can attain tom numbers
or prosperity The wants of these pueblos
were few, their food and clothing scanty,
their habitations OF mud and stone, with
out windows, doors, or furniture. What
ii there were 35O, 900 people in the present
bounds of New Mexico, as Espelo reck-
oned in 1880? 1t would be no proof that
the country would sustain that number
now. Indeed there was not one-thrd
that number then. Spanish chronlciers
before and after Espejo show that Espelo
was deceived as to the numbers here. 1t
is in the fate Of the Spanish colonies, be-
ginning with Onates' expeditions in the
last decade of that century, that we learn
the sustaining resources OF New Mexico
The New Mexico colonization schemes
were iostered by the viceroys of Mexico
and equipped at public expense-as were
the troops which were here maintained to
defend them. These colonies never
Aourished. At the close of the 18th CEN
tury there were not more that 800 colo
nists, soldiers and missionaries in New
Mexico. The rebellion OF 1850 found
them III their most prosperous times.
About 400 escaped the wrath OF the In
dians, and 600 persisted. Under De-
Vargas 1900 to 1900 colonization re-
covered no more that it had lost under
Otermin. During the 18th century the
New Mexican colonis' grew but slow
and maintained dreary existence among
hostile Indian tribes. At its close the
population, including the Pueblo Indians,
was between $4,000 and 10000, with an
unknown number of savage tribes. In
the 10Th century the province OF New
Mexico, when captured in 1916, did not
exceed 10000 including all its Indians,
The growth within the forty years Of
American rule has been also slow. 1t is
demonstrated that agriculture here, &C
cording to old methods of irrigation, can
not sustain large population. New
Mexico is naturally q dry country as tc
rain and snow falls, but large and abun'
dant rivers flow through it from mountain
regions, aud new systems OF storage o.
water must prevail before large numbers
can live here by agriculture.
Mining is an entirely new industry
The methods are new. The instrument
tally and forces OF steam, dynamite
coal and machinery make it possible that
our mineral deposits will enrich large
population and foster the increase O
manufactures.
The country of New Mexico is adapted
to sheep raising, and the water OF on
streams to wool securing. Wooden manu-
facrures could flourish here if the highe
grades OF sheep shall be introduced. s.
also can leather manufactures, Sine
stock raising is our largest industry, ant
we have the material for tanning in tn,
canaigre root, growing abundantly on GU
pains. Horticulture is a newly devel
oped element for great wealth and in
crease of popula ion. The possibility o
abundant production of the very fines
fruits is demonstrated, to supply tn
markets of Colorado, Nebraska and tin
northwestern s5stos, where they can no
grow to any extent.
we lllaS SuuSlu'C, IiiCA, tH"p NhhS th
soil and climate are most favorable, grea
outlay of government or private capital il
needed for the storage of water. Mimi!
without capital will support but few anc
enrich few, yet New Mexico has undis
puted wealth in both the precious anC
common metals, to be made available 70
many. But only the use of modern
forces and methods can insure prosperit,
or growth to New Mexico. Her peopl
must be enterprising, intelligent and ven
turous in their Introduction, or be q spars
population in u magnificent extent OF tel
ritory, getting an uncertain, costly an
poorly furnished living, as her histor
records o. those who have here lived an
passed away.