Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-01-10
TENDENCY OF THE TIMES.
Gov. Ritch's Views - Separation of
Church and Politics-Sentiment Of
American Catholics.
Hard Work of the Progressive Element
Necessary to Overcome Apathy
and Opposition.

In speaking yesterday of the state
movement Hon. W. &. Ritch, OF Engle,
said reaction from pronounced opposi-
ton to either indifference or taclt support
was plainly observable. ''The priest of
the Catholic church is opposed to state
hood, of COURSE" said Gov. Ritch, "to
the non-sectaran educational provision
in the constitution already framed. Some
of the Protestant Clergy also are opposed
because of the little faith they have In the
good faith of the convention in giving
snch unanimous support to the absolute
control of public schools and school funds
by the state. Between the active Oppo-
siton of the priesthood and the apathy
of many citizens | believe" continued
Gov. Rtch, there is danger Of defeat at
the polls Opposition on the ground Of
lack Of good faith in the native element
giving unanimous support to the educa-
tional clauces in the constitution | be-
leve to he all error on the part Of those
entertaining it. The Whole history Of
| the
sPANIsH-AMERICAN ELEMENT
! upon the American continent has during
the past half century shown gradual dis
indignation of church control in politics
until to-day, since the recent collapse of
the Brazilian empire, there is an unbroken
line Of republics from pole to pole, leaving
| in its tram the ireest religious liberation,
and in many instances, rs in our own
country aud the republic OF Mexico, an
absolute divorce OF church and state.
The tendency of the laily to self as
sertIon and Il breaking Of the bonds vi the
church i'll politics is now here more pro-
nounCed than among the Spanish Amerl-
cans OF this territory. Hence the unani-
nous support Of every member of the re-
cent col stitutiun cOnvt ntlonal OF the iron
clad, non-sectarjan school clauses adopted
by that convention. That support be-
lieve to be genuine and sincere.
The people of New Mexico fully
evinccd their
LOYALTY TO THE UNION
By furnishing their full quota of volun-
teers, not drafted men, to suppress the
war of the rebellion ; this while in such
state as Arkansas, Mississippi, South
Carolina and other states, wherein in ad
dition to armed rebellion to the govern
ment there exists degree of iIlteracy as
great il not greater than can be charged
upon New Mexico. therefore submit
that " hen country eVlnceS willing
ness to shed the blood Of its citizens
in behalf OF its parent government it
offers the highest evidence OF its ca
pacity for self government.
The Independence Of New Mexicans
in voting for non-sectarian schools finds
at least partial parallel i'll the November
centennial held Il Baltimore by the lalty
Of the Catholic church of the United
States. 1t will be remembered that this
assembly passed resolutions among Others
to the effect that
THEY ARE COMMITTED
to the American public school system, and
that next to their relil zion it was the best
promoter Of good citizenship and an en-
lightened civilization. In addition this
assembly of American Catholics declared
there WAS no conflict between the church
and the laws of the United States.
IF the people Of New Mexico" added
Gov. Rilch, show themselves to be in
favor Of state government | am clearly
OF the OPINION that congress will rise t.
its plain duty in the premises and admit
the territory rs sovereign state OF the
union"
Gov. Ritch also paid tribute to the
high character of the native citizens who
participated in the recent constitutional
convention and said their condu during
the entire deliberations of that body had
been such as to inspire the fullest con-
Hdence in their earnest work to better
the condition OF the masses in New Mex
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