Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-04-08

We have just passed from a terri
tOrial condition 10 our fun rights as
citizens and become a distinct force
in the councils of the nation. Not
wiihstanding our being the latest TO
enter the Union, our civilization is
perhaps the oldest and our settlement
the first within the borders OF our
country A proper understanding OF
the relation OF state to the Union, OF
which we are now a part, ] think, IS
OF the greatest importance 70 the
maintenance Of the true dignity and
full rights OF our citizens. We have
become, instead Of a people with no
rights, subject to the will and caprice
OF an administration al Washington. a
free people In the full sense. and dig
nifled with the power and influence
of q state, supreme IN the control
and management of its internal AFFAIRS,
except SO far and TO the extent that
such control has been granted to the
national government under the con.
stitutlon OF the United States. Upon
the intelligence and integrity OF the
people of New Mexico VIII primarily
depend the position that we shall oc-
cupy In the sisterhood Of states.
We have formulated and adopted
constitution as our fundamental law.
defining aud limiting the powers OF
the different branches OF our state
government Under this constitution
you have chosen your legislature,
state and county officers, and today
we are assuming the responsibility
and entering into the full dignity OF
statehood. Much criticism have we
had for many years while struggling
and contending for the boon to which
we believed we were entitled long
ago, and often have we been dlsap-
pointed because congress. for one rea-
son or another. decided that we might
non be capable OF elf-gOvernment-'be
safe from ourselves-as seen through
the eyes of prejudice and misntorma-
ton at Washington. Only a short
time ago We we're warned not 10 be
In too great a hurry, that We did not
fully consider and realize the require
ments and responsibilities OF a state
government. But We now understand
the glory and dignity OF that bright
star added TO the flag of this great
nation OF statos. and we shall, we
must, prove to the world. that fear
was groundlcss and warning unneces'
sary.
This is the beginning OF a changed
but not entirely new order for New
/ Mexico We have passed from the
/ condition OF citizens under the direct
control of the federal government to
a position as citizens with equal rights
and privileges In the government OF
the United states. While We naturally
feel inbilant In the present and hope
for the future, at the same time we
must not forget that our emanicpa-
! ton from federal interference, except
as the power for such Is granted In
the constitution that makes MS one
with our sister states. has put us on
La different footing with the world,
New obligations and great RESPONSE
billtles are to be met and borne sue
cessfully. The confidence Of youth
combined with the wisdom OF matur-
/ ity will carry as far II we act with
caution. born Of the experience of
others that have gone before.
The principles oil a republican form
OF government, based upon Jne con.
sent and cooperation of the governed,
were enunCl~tsd by the fathers, vie
torlous over the forces Of wrong and
oppression, which would have bound
them as a dependent province OF a
powerful nation. and we, the free, In
dependent citizens OF New Mexico,
have at last come victors from the
battle, wagod for fun citizenship In
a sovereign state. In that nation es'
tahllshed By their wisdom. As We
look into TIE future, bright hopes Of
promise appear 10 some and dark fore
danger may dim the horizon OF others.
The past ~ history; the present Is the
dawn OF the future. II 10 to the future
we look and that future will be what
We make H.