Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1903-05-08
SOME STATEHOOD FACTS.
The Ignorance Of the "Cultursd East"
In Passing Through New Mexico.
WHAT WE SHOULD DO.

NOW mat the nRnt is owe Tor the
present M that a half century's
struggle loi as rights mas again prov
en- futile, on behalf of one of the divis.
ions OF the United tates in its attempt
to secure the privilege of enjoying the
fullness of American citizenship, a few
remarks may be in order from one who
has claimed New Mexico as his resi-
dence for twenty years, and whose
ideas or the question Of some of the
procedure in the endeavor to obtain
recognition are quite at variance with
those who have led so ardently in the
struggle.
In the first place, the writer has been
on various lines. and knowing that not
a train passes through New Mexico
but that some of the tourists from the
eastern centers of education. refine
ment and culture betray such inexcus-
able and utter ignorance of the geog-
raphy of this country, he is constrain-
ed to think that the charge of il~literacy
and ignorance so unjustly put upon us
of New Mexico should not be taken
seriously. and should not lead us to
strain ourselves to show the east what
a splendid showing we really do make
in the cause of education, but should
lead us to seriously consider, instead.
some means of educating the people of
Indiana, North Carolina, Arkansas
would be ware of our having several
years ago emerged from the barbarous
stage and that we no longer inhabit
the cave dwellings of the Santa Clara
canyon nor all bedeck ourselves with
ochre and hen feathers, and do the
corn dance annually in Laguna, Tes-
aque and Pojoaque.
"Oh. | wonder whether | can get a
United tates postage stamp in Santa
Fee" Now We are really in Mexico;
this is the first time | was eve out
side of the United States"-this on
emerging from the Ration tunnel south
bound. And this is Albuquerque!
Why it really looks like some Ameri-
can CITY," 81 suppose the laws are
tough on Americans here. I'll bet the
greasers give 1t to them when they
get a chance" (This on dinner stop
at Las Vegas). Does President
Diaz have his headquarters at Santa
Fe or Mexico City," What does it
cost to get a letter from here to New
Jersey?" II wouldn't trade my eighty
acre farm in ~Injianny for all of Next
co, II this is a sample" and countless
other expressions in line with the
above, have been heard by the writer.
Committees have actually been sent
to determine the question whether we
are fit to be in the union. We, the d.
vision, which has Of all the union the
smallest per cent of foreign born vot-
ers; we, the division having the larg-
est per, cent of regular church COM
municants; We. the division which
made a rough rider regiment possible;
we, the division which exhibited the
bushel of wheat, the worlds fair prize
winner at Chicago; We, who have for
years produced more wool than any
state in the union, and We. a God-fear-
ing, country loving population OF two
hundred thousand souls; we have ac-
tually been the subjects of examina-
ton by an inquisitorial committee
from that august highest body of leg
lators to learn whether we are fit to
associate with. Honestly, my good,
impartial friend of Colorado please
tell me who stands convicted of the
charge of ignorance in the first degree,
Imagine to yourself a procession Of
the bar Of New Mexico q address this
to you who have wide personal ac-
quaintance in New Mexico), with the
officers of all degrees also in line, fol-
lowed by the cattlemen, the merchants,
the miners, the railroad men, the
ranchers-all the leading men of the
territory. Now review this process
sion in your minds eye; carefully
think over all the people you would
see there. Wouldn't you love to see
that procession march through the
streets of Washington bearing a Grape
laden banner with the motto: 1--WE
are unfit" Do you think you would be
ashamed of your people? The writer
was in Old Mexico and happened to
see a copy of a New Mexico paper
pected to come and investigate the
fitness of the citizens of the territory
to associate politically with the states
and he could not believe that the good
people of New Mexico would submit
to such an inquest-an inquest to de-
termine the honor and intelligence of
our citizens, the virtue of our girls and
the integrity of our young men. Just
think of it. Suppose a neighbor were
to take 1t upon himself to come to
your house to inquire into those mat
tiers in your own ease and begin to ask
questions of you and your household.
| could not believe that the good citi.