Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-02-10
NATIVES ON STATEHOOD
Auditor Perez a Typical Citizen-A
Shrewd and Patriotic Class
of People.

The territorial auditor is a pure Span
lard, Demetrio Perez. He was born in
Santa Fe fifty-seven years ago. He is an
able official, a representative citizen, and
strong Republican. He expresses the
opinion that all the Spanish-speaking
people of New Mexico want the territory
to become state.
These people feel keenly the imputa-
tions that are cast at them as an objec-
tionable element and as an alien race,
for they are native citizens born on this
soil, lovers of its plains and mountains,
trained to look upon the United States as
their pnternal government, and to revere
its laws. They spurn the distinction be-
tween themselves and Americans. Said
one
"We are more Americans than the Irish
and Germans of your eastern cities, who
have not been in the country six months" )"
Liberal minded Americans appreciate
their feelings and say: ''They are the
real citizens of the territory. They are
here to stay, for they know no other
country"
Though the Mexicans as a class are
languid and improvident, there are some
keen fnanciers who are match for any
American. Every large town, like Las
Vegas, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, shows
examples of shrewd native tradesmen
who will maintain their positions among
any influx of outsiders. The people of
New Mexico complain that they have
been given no opportunity to present
their case to eastern people. They say
it should be remembered that this has
been an organized territory for forty
three years. 1t can not be retained per-
manently as u proconsular province.
That would be contrary to the policy of
the Union and Republican government;
that these people can not forever be kept
cut of tho rights of citizenship. 1t so
they might as we'll abandon the territory
altogether and go to some other state and
leave this always to remain an unclaimed
waste. A territory, they say, is always
regarded as frontier country, where
neither immigration nor capital will go.
What is the Mexican element that has
provoked SO much discussion for years?
They are descendants from the early
Spanish invaders who came here by way
of Florida in 1916 under the leadership
of Do Baca. Nest of them stopped in
New Mexico; only few, 8 to 5 per cent,
went to Mexico. The major portion is
still nearly pure Spanish and is
known by the prevailing aristocratic
names of Martinez, Lopez, Baca, Gale
gos, Romero, Lucero, Herrera, Aragon.
There are 10000 of this class. They are
distinguished by clear, olive complex
ions, shading to light gray and biue-eyed
blondes and black-haired and black-eyed
brunettes. Ten Thousand of them are
now married to Anglo-Saxon women and
as many of the Spanish women are mar
ried to Anglo-Saxon men.
They are not naturally knaves or fools.
They are extremely honest; children pay
debts of fathers that they are not legally
bound to. What characteristics of knavery
or business trickery they possess have
been acquired from Americans. They are
not treacherous except when outwitted by
a sharper. They have generous impulses,
are hospitable and will share their last
cent with needy friend. They have all
the Spanish ardor and loyalty to govern
ment. You can't find more patriotic
class.-Herbert Haywood in Chicago
Tribune.