Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-01-29
Unique Story of New Mexico

Pike IN the year 1906 visited Santa Fo
With his party of explorers. and he
was The FIRST American to return from
there. Ills book published In 1910,
80 stimulated tho American interest
In the spanish trade that by 1890 a
regular trade route was established
the famous Santa Pc trail
In 1899 the Independence OF Mexico
from the Spanish crown was accom-
plished, and New Mexico became a
part OF the southern republic, It's peo-
pie had not participated In the revolu.
ton. but they we're none the less
ready 20 welcome the change. Aud
thus came 10 al end the last Spanish
dominion in what Is now the United
states, Florida having been sold three
years before.
The growing trade with the Mlssis-
, sippi and Missouri valleys caused San
Ia Re and other New Mexican towns
to prosper, until in 1913. on account
OF complications arising from the
Texan evolution. the trade was alb
solutely intetdlCiod by the Mexican
authorities.
Three years later, IN 1916, Mexico
and the United states being at war.
General stephen W. Kearney at the
head Of 'fhe Army OF the West"
marched into New Mexico and seized
the territory. lie raised his flag at
santa Fe and since that day Il has
flown there. In lSiS the sovereign
title was formally transferred to the
United states by treaty, an additional
piece OF territory being secured few
years later by purchase
As early as iSiS the people OF New
Mexico petitioned congress to be adj.
mitted TO the Union as n state. Their
prayer was destined to be longer de-
MED than that o. any other territory
IN the history OF the Country. In 1850,
the government still being a military
despoliam, a convention met M Santa
re aud formed a constitution and
elected state officers. This cOnsttu-
tion prohibited slavery.
The slavery question was Just then
the touchstone by which every public
question was tested and New Mexico
was bound 10 loEe The famous com
promise of 1850. which admitted Cali
fornla and overthrow the balance OF
the slave ana free states In the sen.
ate. provided for a territorial govern
ment for New Mexico. Under that
form of government It's people have
continued ever since until this year.
although NOT year has passed that
lhey have not begged for statehood A
dozen states have been admitted since
1850 that did not have the population
or development OF New Mexico. but
party politics and prejudice on ac-
count os the large proportion of Span
ish-speaking population. combined TO
close the door.
According TO the last census New
Mexico had 32T.3s6 inhabitants. a gain
OF more than two.thlrds In ten wears.
and thus, when Il came into the union
i was the largest state In population
az the time of admission with the sin
gle exception Of Oklahoma In area n
Is hrger than alkOf the six New Eng
land states and b. population nov is
greater than that OF Nevada. Idaho
and Wyoming IN the west anu OF Del
t~are 0mong the thirteen original
states
u Is the only state in the Union
that has three distinct classes of Cit.
zens-the Pueblos vino are cit.zens OF
the United States By the treaty of
lSiS, the Spanish.speaking people
known as "MeXicans, and the Eng.
lish-speaklng people known as
Americans