Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-01-25
A CHANGE IN MENTAL ATMOSPHERE.

For twenty years the people of New Mexico have
been brow-beaten by the gang in control. Every
one has been treated courteously as long as he
tended to his own business" But the instant any
one had an adverse word to say about the methods
and practices of the gang in control he prompt
" disciplined If he failed to yield he ruined,
We are not overstating the facts when we say that
in many cases criminal charges were "trumped up
against him. Innocent men have been sent to the
penitentiary. Usually they have yielded and sought
forgiveness before that point was reached.
The rank and file of the Spanish speaking peo-
pies in the so-caled "rver" counties have been the
victims Of the worst possible conspiracy to keep
them in bondage The only effective leadership
among them has been selfish, corrupt and ruthless
in the extreme. These people have been kept un-
ettered in poverty, and under the bondage OF fear
The slightest evidence of independence has been the
signal for torture.
An effort is made to convince the anglo" that
this condition is what the Spanish people like. We
know that such is not the case. They American
citizens They "free-born," far as the statute
book is concerned, and the political equal of
other men. But a system has made them akin
TO slaves in thousands of They have the same
instincts as the rest of us. They love home and
wife and children. They are ambitious that their
children have an opportunity in life which was de-
MED them. They resent the boss-ridng which has
oppressed them. Mutiny against their environment
is travelling in subterranean ways among them. The
revolt in the "Anglos" heart, against intolerable
conditions has found its echo in their hearts also
New Mexico is in a state of mental revolt This
resentment is not merely against the bosses of the
republican party but it extends as we'll to the dis
trusted leadership of the democratic organization
If the latter organization expects to be the bene-
ficary of this public attitude of resentment it must
cleanse its organization at and substitute Of
ficials in that organization who are unselEsh ana
are devoted to the common good
Whether the fight for good government is to
take the form of Furnishing republican betrayal OF
the people by a democratic victory or a fight to
take the control of tie republican party away from
its unworthy lea ders depends entirely upon whether
the democratic party has the leadership and vitality
to so purify itself 10 be entitled to 1ictory.
However those whose fears Of punishment have
kent them silent need have no further fear of speak
ing out and aiding in molding public sentiment The
power of the gang to punish is gone. Victory is in
sight. The day when it was personal sacrifice ana
hazard to befriend the public is past Now victory
and honor lie along the path of devotion to the
public good.
New Mexico has scores of worthy men capable
of great service to the people with honor to them
selves They should step forward now and give
battle for civic righteousness. The man who hest
tates is without courage or vision The route of re-
form has become the pathway to political success
The devoted servant of the people today will be the
political power next year. for the people will grant
the commission.
The Journal does not wish to participate In party
reorganzations 1t seeks party standing or
power. 1t wishes to be a free lance, like John
the Baptist, preaching repentance for the kingdom
of righteousness is at hand in New Mexico. There
lies our mission. We seek no other. The only thing
we desire is that public support through subscrip-
lions and patronage of our advertisers, which will
give us the financial strength and the circulation
among the peoples with which to successfully fight
the battles of the public. You can help the cause
in that way.