The times., 1897-12-08
REPUBLICS OF THE SOUTH
History of Education in Mexico
and Central America.
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
Disadvantages Under Which the
Land OF the Afontezunas Lahors
III EndeavorinG 70 Establish a
Form of Government Like Fiat of
America Struggles for Liberty

The bureau OF education has republished
tie history Of education in Mexico and
Central merica, written by +. F. iIilder.
II is set fortt that Mexico and the Tepub-
lies Of Central America have u history
which is exceedingly interesting to every
thoughtful and unprecedented student of
human life and progress on this continent
To the people OF this country Mexico has
"a peculiar interest, especially from the Tact
that in her long struggle for liberty she has
always looked up TO this country as her
model anu has proved her confidence III our
institutions by adopting them as the basis
for her own. In her efforts 10 establish
republican forrnof government Me lieO ilaS
labored Under Tremendous disadvantages a S
compared with our own battle for ince-
pendence. IN Mexico there was only one
ruling clays, rendered autocratc and ty-
rannical hy centuries of domination over
people so ignorant that they cid not know
enough TO be unhappy in their lot, nor TO
form plans 10 improve It,
The chaotic past has been very dark
and To a superficial observer il may have
appeared almost hopeless 10 expect that
a free aid progressive republic 1oa.d
arise from the discardant elements, lut
each upheayaI ha 5 left the country little
ii advance. and the outlook Tor the past
few yeaIs has been brighter than ever
before. Mr.. Hiider sets forth that in the
constructions Of their constitutions this
country and Mexico made grieyCus errors,
which in both instances came near deStrOy-
ing the governments. We guaranteed
slavery and made religion free. Me licU
abolished slavery, but restricted the right
of worship t3 a single sect. Both these
errors have been rectifed, but By tie
fearful expenditure of blood and treas
ure. The enlightened and sagacious states
men of Mexico SAYS Mr.. Hilder, can .Cok
with pride OH a history teeminE ith
the details of heroic struggle for lib
erty, and to the future offering
brilliant prospect FOR the enjoyment OF
the benefits and blessings of republican
institutions. For the full fruitiCn OF their
hopes and aspirations the great necessity
is that the people, by the dilfusinn Cf
Knowledge and the spread of education,
may become worthy citizens and jndio!GIs
conservatOrs Of the liberty that has been
Won for them. Popular education must
how do for Mexico what no other agency
can accomplish toward building Up
government "of the people, for the Feo-
PIE and by the people who's fcunda-
tions must be laid in intelligent { nd
self-respecting citizenship.
The population of Mexico in 1898 was
I2,056, ,046. An official authority classes
the present population as consisting Of 8
per cent European and spanish-American,
IS per cent Indian, and 43 per ceHt of
mixed blood.
In spite of all the turmoil and unrest OF
the years which followed the downfall Of
the Spanish power in Mexico, the attention
OF the government was directed toward the
question OF education. The first law ON
the subject, which was complied By Don
Jose Louis Mora, during the presidency of
Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa-Anna, WIS pro-
mulgated in October, 1888. The clergy
we're excluded from taking any part in
public education maintained al the expense
of the government, and the ancient clerical
university was suppressed.
For several years the country WIS C n
yulsed by war with France and civil ar,
but the cause of education was not lost
sight Of The war with this country pre-
vented any progress in national ednca'ioral
matters, and then came the revolution Cf
1852.
Unconstitutional republic wasestablished
in 1865. and one OF its first acts was to
restore the cducationa Law OF 1893.
In October, / l5S7 the committee on public
instruction of the House Of Deputies pre-
sented a bin to enforce compulsory edl-
tion within the Federal district and Terri
tories, which became q law III 1SSS. The
principal provisions OF this law We're the
making primary instruction obligatory AMI
free for al children betw ween the ages #
six and twelve years, directing the estab-
liShmeut of primary school for boys and
girls for every 1000 inhabitants. which
proportion might be raised in the terri
tories of Tepic and Lower California, he
schools to be placed under the control 3f
the loca authorities who were TO nave
control of the funds and appoint directors
and teachers.