The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-09
DETROIT. Mich. June ., 1914.

DETROIT, Mich, June =, iva.
THE Hon. THURLow WEED BARNES: I
observe you say you don't believe the peo
pie of Mexico are civilized. | agree with
you. but 1t Is our duty and ought to be
our pleasure to civilize them. Dot the
land all over with public schools make
education compulsory condemn the large
estates, pay for them and resell them at
reasonable price to every peon who
wants farm and you will see a Mexican
republic worthy OF the name.
III l could have my way Mexico would
have an opportunity to devote all her
energies to public schools and distribu-
ton OF lands while our Federal Govern
ment protected her from foreign invasion
and civil strife.
do not wonder you and I should DIFF
fer in regard to Mexico. Our political
education runs about that way. The Re-
publican party-and l speak seriously
Is based on the principle Of protecting
the rich and turning over the poor man
to his tender merces; as witness, you
give the manufacturer n high protective
tarin on the theory that he Is going to
distribute that enormous revenue, which
amounts practically to robbery. among
his laborers. but AZ n matter OF fact he
does nothing OF the kind he puts It all
In his own pocket. As witness the career
Of Carnegie.
on the other hand, the Democratic
plain people, a party which believes that
the Government should be based not on
the rich and powerful but on the tenn
Ing millions; "A party that believes the
primary duty Of the Government Is TO
curb the great and raise tho low
Mexico never had a decent government
and never will have until the govern
ment IL not only theoretically but prac-
tically and actually In the hands OF the
plain people. called In Mexico poems.
Until that event occurs society there will
DO divided into two classes. the rich and
the poor. The rich will be despots and
the poor banditti."
Seventy years ago California, Arizona
and New Mexico were like old Mexico.
The difference to-day Is the difference in
the government. | am told by parties
thoroughly acquainted with tho people
along the southern part of New Mexico
that the great majority are Just ms much
Mexican by blood as those on the other
side of the national boundary. but they
are good American citizens and average
well with those OF other iutionalities.
The only difference between the Mexican
on the one side and on the other side
of the national boundary Is the differ
ence between the governments.
II we should annex Mexico to-day or
put II In such a condition that We could
enforce peace. secure suitable laws ind
properly administer them there would be
little difference In thirty years between
old and New Mexico.
You say you regard the proposition OF
cIvllizing Mexico AS an illusory scheme
one hundred years or more ahead of time
II Is quite true If We permit Mexico FOR
the next hundred years to be governed
as 1t has for the last hundred years you
are right, but II we give Mexico the
proper kind Of government II will not
take one hundred years; It will not take
NIFTY years TO make that country a civil
lied law abiding people.
Glbbon tells US that Oppression Is al
ways met by deception" and Mexico has
had government Of oppression and de-
ception from the dawn OF her history.
IL seems 10 me the time has come when
that sort of government should cease and
that republic should be in the hands OF the
men VINO ton the men wh0 produce the
wealth OF the country should govern n.
You will probably think | am rad.-
cal, but ] am only democrat, speak,
Ing in n civic not political sense: and
believe government that Is nor based
upon and controlled by the common peo-
pie If not worth saving
| have received much satisfaction in
recent years in seeing landlordsm grad
uhlly disappear and compulsory universal
education advance. The end OF the first
and the triumph Of the last are Con
summations devoutly To be wished"
Very truly yours,
dEoRGE WILLIAM MOORE.