The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1920-06-07
Editorial
of the Day
THE MEXICAN PEOPI&


near the border, that is to say about
lO7 600 900 of them, know very little
about their southern neighbors. To
the average American the Mexican oI
today is an insurgent or bandit,
or lat any rate, conspirator against
his own government. AS matter
Of fact, Mexicans of this type form,
it has been estimated, about per
cent of the whole. Nor are the char
acter, the temperament, the manners
and the modes of life of the MeXicans
understood in this country. In repu'
tatiun they suffer from the defects
and iniquities of the ruling class, for
merly the white or Spanish element,
well educated and exclusive, and now
the generals. even part Indian, whose
origin is more or less obscure. 1t
must be admitted that it has been
the fashion in the United States to
give the Mexican a bad name and
to deny him virtue, courage, man
hood and humanity.
The judgment pronounced in lS4s
by George Frederick Ruxton. an ad-
/ venturous British army officer, is
/ often accepted as final in this day
/ After several months spent in Mex
| leo, in cities and on the trail, Rux
| ton ,one of the most hardy, daring
and self-dependent Of men, wrote that
| he could not remember to have OBJ
served one single commendable train ii
/ the character of the Mexican, always
excepting from this sweeping clause
/ the women of the country, who, FOL
/ kindness of heart and many sterling
qualities, are an ornament to thei,
sex and to any nation" He as
persed the courage of the Mexicans
their honesty, their humanity-they
were a bad lot and past redemption
But Ruxton had much to do will
thugs, braves and the scum of The
people in his wanderings. He nevei
remained long enough in one place Il
study the Mexicans, and he was nevei
part of their life in town or or
hacienda. There is different testimony
from others. MeXicans are very hu
man after all, and they have quail
ties that make them kindly friend!
and good neighbors.
An American contractor confided t
Charles Macomb Flandrau, whose lit
tie book, viva Mexico" is one o
the most intimate studies Of the Mex
leans we have: 81 hate 'em all. Blu
after my work is over for the day
l like to sit on a bench in the plaz;
and look at 'em. | sit there a coupl'
of hours every evening. Even whei
the rascals amt doing anything il
particular you always sort of feel a
if there was something doing"
F'landrau found the Mexicans Of al
classes, down to the humblest laborer
the poltest pt\ple he had met, eithe
at work or play. with your perms
sion" says a peon bent double unde
a sack of cotf/, as she treads in from
of a bricklayer mending a wall.
rider passing thirty or forty horse
men greets each one pleasantly, an,
May God go with your he concludes
Flandrau sagely says that Will
Americans often cry out at the thiey
ish propensities Of the Mexicans, the.
invariably speak of some individua
whom they have trusted and no
found wanting In honesty and goo
faith. on his own ranch the Amer
can writer was well served and hi
confidence was not abused.
Philip Terry thinks that American
= are to blame if they do not like tn
Mexicans-those of course who are nc
professional insurrectos and roa
agents Courtesy and hospitality ar
the rule, with rarely an exception
and the most frigid Northerner ger
orally thaws beneath the genial beam
of Mexican good humor and volubi
ity" He adds: "Never measure Me,
lean institutions by Aberican stant
eyes" A witness with nexperlenc
Of thirty years in Mexico, Alden Bue
Case, an American missionary, kne'
the Mexicans only to esteem them 70
their kindness of heart and amiabilit!
and excuse their faults, which wer
racial or the result of mis-governmen
oppression and social system fo
which their spiritual advisers wer
often responsible. For many year
Case lived in 81 Vale, Chihuahua, tn
headquarters of Francisco Villa toaal
But the missionary travelled wide, vi!
iting many cities, including the cap
tai. He speaks Of "the excellen
bankers, merchants, doctors and Law
yers" whom he met ,and of the et
itors and brilliant literary men
who surprise one ignorant of Mexic
by their unmistakable culture, brea1t
of information and sane judgment.
For the people of Ell Vail e, an sgff
rian community, he had warm plac
~ his heart. To him T. VAS Mex
can Sweet Auburn" lie iest!ii.
.hat pJliter ess is not merely form: !.
cases of sickness, bereavement or mi!
fortune, ;ympathy is generous and sill
by kind deeds" Orphans never lac
hnn's. and especially are The agt
cared for With kindness" Ravt,.'.c
is cnalsCttr.siic Of the Marctl pc
p'. MY years Of exp, ta1;e,"
s~ys, have impressed m2 more WI
ths,, the Mexicans coli.lrry ar
faithfuness than with the oppos!
ctarac.rr,stics He pr, ties ~:
there will ccrtainly be 4 new Mexic
1ha: coun'rJ viii some day take n
place among ne stable, he powerf.
t'c highly esteemed nauo IS Of Ii
world. coutr.t uting her iull shats
the progress of civiliza IN" XVI
t.ta help OF the neighbor o. the Mott
he adds.--New York Times
NNomou In C,;ca Cn Cau vauiinu