Belen news. (Belen, N.M.) 1912-1947, 1914-09-17
The Race Issue

so called, into the present cam
paign. is difficult to determine,
and yet certain journals of the
state are attempting to do that
very thing. When is the time
coming when the question of a
mans nationality is going to be
lost sight of in the light of his fit
ness and ability? Is it true that
because a man is of Spanish des-
cent and is of that race known in
this state as a Spanish-American
he must therefore be unconsid-
cred as a fit candidate for any of
flee and the matter of his nation
ality shall become an issue in the
campaign? So long as certain
politicians and certain newspapers
of New Mexico continue to carry
on this policy, just so long will
the state be held back and her
progress curtailed.
There is no valid cause for a
distinction between the American
and the Spanish-American in this
state, as all are citizens of the
great commonwealth, and have
at heart the well being of all the
people in it. The one thought
and the one qualification should
be, in the selection of a candidate,
his fitness and his ability.
The thought of race should new
er be brought into the contest,
and the men and the journals who
attempt to introduce it should be
blacklisted by the voters. 1t is a
strange condition Of affairs when
a party should be condemned be-
cause it puts on the ticket a can
didate VINO bears the name indi-
eating the Spanish origin, and
regardless of his qualifications, he
must be fought for this reason.
The time has come when we
should place the man before the
nationality, and the present cam
paign should have no other issue
in it than the fitness Of the differ
ent candidates for the positions
to which they have been nomi-
mated.
In bringing into the campaign
this question of nationality, those
who are doing so are guilty of
unpatriotic and un-American ac-
ton. "a mans a man for a.
that" and all that should be
thought in relation to blood, is
whether it is the blood of a true
and tried and patriotic citizen.
We did not stop to think of the
nationality of the men who went
into the late contest when this
nation was in the throes of war,
and the roll of those who re-
sponded shows the patriotism and
the true heartedness of those who
bear the Spanish-American name.
If they were willing to risk their
lives in battle for the defense OF
Old Glory, they are worthy Of
recognition in the political field,
withoutthought as to their names,
whether they indicate the Span.
ish or American ancestry.
B. C. Hernandez was placed or
the Republican ticket for the rea
son that he is a true hearted
American citizen, and has the
respect, confidence and regard Of
the people of the state. He is
fully equipped for the position
from every standpoint, and tha
is the only thing to be regarded
by those who believe in the prin
ciples of the Republican party
and want to uphold its tenets, anC
see it again in power. These il
absolutely no cause for the in
lection, at the present time, 0,
any other time, of the so-callet
race issue. 1t is not here. |
should never be here. This is
qaestion of men and an issue o
principles, not of nationalities
Those who attempt to introduce
the question of race into the pres
ent contest should be wholly dis