Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-05-31
"wHERE THERE is NO VISION, THE PEOPLE
PERISH"

The people were not made to serve the pur-
poses of the politicians politicians exist to serve
the purposes of the people Otherwise the polite
ians not justify their calling.
1t is astonishing to what a degree this formula
has reversed itself in New Mexico. Nothing but
the well-being of the politicians has seemed to
count The people have been allowed to stand on
the side lines and applaud their favorite while the
politicians have engaged in combat OF decide which
should exploit the public. ~ .-5- .s't .s
This sounds cynical. We say 1t deliberately and
good naturally, but earnestly. In no other state
in the union has pubc-opinon been drugged into
a stupor such exists in New Mexico. A year
of agitation by the Journal has resulted in or
ganizing public sentiment to a marked degree but
it appears be still far from that stage of OUT
ragged patience which omens political revolt.
The shibboleth of party has been used with
telling effect. The independent voter has been
contemptuousy termed maverick. The aspiring
young politician who has dared to think for him
self has been retired to private life. Every one
has been whipped into line. The penalty Of dis
obedience has been annhiiation.
In some counties men, who have defied the
political boss have indicted for cattle stealing,
although not guilty. The loyal have had indict-
ments auashed, even though they guilty.
This is literally true.
Editors who dared protest against conditions,
were dragged from court to another with a
multiplicity of libel suits, both civil and criminal.
The Journal has repeatedly invited having this
method of bluffing tried on its editor We wanted
the sensation-and chance to expose the whole
rotten mess. After year of constant assault
upon this system, still await our first libel
suit We have told nothing but the truth and
have been prepared at all times to prove it. Yet
this method brought immunity from exposure.
n The tales which might be recounted to show
the lengths to which the political system has
gone in New Mexico, to intimidate the leaders of
any political revolt, would into columns And
hoy cd vol he
prostrate for twenty years under the heels of its
oppressors Population has not increased; natural
resources have been but little developed; the
political system belongs to the Civil War period
Our readers know all this.
\, Will the public endure it longer? With no
substantial difference between the political parties
in this state will the people surrender their lber-
ties and their prosperity in order to be REGULAR?
Our forefathers had the vision. They heard the
call of Freedom and followed her. Peace prosper
ity even life laid upon her altar for us. We
need make no such sacrifice to retain what they
bought with blood. What they gave us is still in
our hands Yet allow politicians to bamboozle
us into relaxing our grasp on our rights as Amer
loan citizens How silly it all is!
We need vision. We need to where our
present attitude is leading us. We need to sense
the fact that ourselves, our children our
wives and state, first loyalty. Unless calm
and candid scrutiny, free from prejudices con-
vinces that loyalty to political party is
positive aid to in doing our duty as citizens
we should abandon the party at least temporarily,
and punish it for its faults until it purges itself
There crimes of omission great as those
of commission The future of the state rests on us
as individuals. The privilege Of citizenship brings
an immense responsibility with it. We must see in
which direction lies the preservation of the lber-
ties which passing from our fathers, through
our hands, to They must pass intact to
those who after. 1t is not a joke. 1t is not
game" to be played. 1t is a. sacred duty to be
done Have the vsion?s
Solomon knew what he was talking about when
he admonished US, Where there is vision. the
people perish" p 80. =. -