Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1889-03-15
AN ADDRESS.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
TERRIToRY or NEW MEXICO,
SANTA FE, March l, 1889,

oANTA re, March 1, 1853.
To the people OF New Mexico
As governor Of the territory feel con-
strained to make public suggestion, and
take this somewhat unusual method of do
ing so, because the urgency Of the case re-
quirrs that you should at once he informed
Of the existing situation, and because !
believe that by prompt action you can
avoid some Of the consequences Of legis-
lative blunder which falls but little short
Of crime.
The twenty-eiRhth Legislative assembly
has refused to give you an adequate school
law. II is not necessary to comment upon
the influences which brought about this
result, but, in common justice. must say
that in the council Messrs. King, Dolan.
Franks, Chavez, Fort and Rodey labored
earnestly and faithfully for tha cause Of
education; while ia the house Messrs.
Kistler. Holland, Baldwin, Sniffen, Fos-
ter, Cooney, Webster, I,esnet and Spiers
were equally true to themselves and the
demand. of public welfare.
But, after bitter debate and a protracted
struggle. which. coming at the close Of the
session, crowded aside much other impor-
tant legislation. the school bill was finally
defeated. The result is most disgracefal
to New Mexico, and coming at this par
tlcular juncture, in the face Of our pend
ing application for BtatshoOd, is apt To
have a most disastrous influence upon our
future. II is folly to attempt concealment.
The news has already spread abroad, and
national Legislators who opposed our ad-
mission point TO this as conclusive evidence
that they had taken our measure Alright.
Unless something is done, and done at
once, the defeat Of this common school bill
will retard our progress for many years.
! believe the intelligent, progressive
people of New Mexico have the remedy
largely in their own hands. Let us at once
call public meetings in every town in the
territory to memoralize congress, clrcu-
late petitions and write our friends at the
national capital, praying congress TO grant
Us nov the non-sectarian public school law
which the national government has been
under moral obligation to give New
Mexico ever since the treaty of Guada-
loupe Hidalgo. Let US demonstrate that
the great mass of our people fully appre-
eiate the value Of public schools and the
necessity for attendance thereat. DO.
lieve that upon the proper presentation Of
the case, congress will give us such law,
and provide the means to put it in practi-
cal operation.
That general effort, when put forth, will
doubtless be cited by the pr'judiced as ad-
ditional evidence-aS confesSion-of our
unitheSs for statehood. realize that, to
the nation, it will bear the appearance of
an APPEAL of intelligence for protection
against ignorance. But We are in the
face Of hard facts. The Legislative assem-.
bly, has put us in this dilemma. We must
hnid, not for to-day or Tomorrow, but for
all time. Let the Consequences be what
they may, we must fully and frankly ex-
pose the evil, for 10y that means alone can
we hayp it corrected. Our lack of rrepu-
table .ffrctve school law is \ loathsome
sore upon the body polite; heroic treat
mrnt alone will work a cure, and the
knife cannot be to speedily applied. If
We make proper effort for congressional
aid, it will be granted US, and our state
hood, when achieved, will stand upon the
more enduring foundation, in that we
make intelligence its chief corner stone.
Let us go to work then. and work unit
elly in an appeal to congress for the re-
lief that our own lawmakers have denied
Us. These latter have forced the issue.
They have thrown down the gauntlet, and
we owe it to the best interests Of our terri
tory to take it up, They have denied US
I the enjoyment of our most cherished right
They have forced the controversy upon u.s.
and, if we are true TO ourselves, we can
invoke power which will render nuga-
tory their efforts to perpetuate ignorance
and retad d progress With this aid from
| the general government the influence Of
these dangerous men will be forever de-
Stroyed. They have sown the wind. Let
them reap the whirlwind.
EDMUND G. Ross.