Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-03-02
WHERE DANGER LIES.

Danger to America lies within. not without As
long as the heart is not honey-combed with the
fatty degeneration OF and selfshness and vice;
as long as the pure stream of red-blooded love of
individual liberty flows through the veins of our
people, no external foe can conquer We need
not fear objective foes. But we may well rear
our subjective weaknesses.
Il apprehend," said Daniel Webster mo dam
ger to our country from foreign foe.
our destruction, should it come at ALL will be
from another quarter. From the inattentlon
Of the people to the concerns of the govern
ment, from their carelessness and negligence,
confess I do apprehend some danger l fear
that they may place too implicit confidence in
their public servants, and fail properly to scru-
tinze their conduct that in this way they may
become the dupes of designing men, and become
the instruments of their undoing"
Perhaps had Webster spoken in 1922, instead
Of three-auarers of a century earlier, he would have
said II fear that they may place too implicit faith
in their political parties and in their pubic serv-
ants" The added observation would be worthy
of Webster.
Those who read these lines the real rulers
Of America within the contemplation of those
who founded America In practice, we are all too
prone to neglect almost wholly our duties such
rulers or to allow the politicians of party to
do our thinking and make commitments for us.
Upon the average of the intelligence honesty
our future depend Catch phrases and "catch'
personalities must not lead into the thoughtess
clapping of "chapped hands," we trail in the
wake of plausible, but unworthy leader. few
brilliant men, scattered here and there through the
mass of the citizenry Of America can never give
the stability to institutions which will come
from intelligence and thoughtful concern among
our people.
Leaders must supply the proposal of what they
claim to believe should be a governmental policy,
but the people must make intelligent and honest
disposal OF the suggestion. Unless this is DONE
America is in danger of going the rocks.
All of this might we'll be said as an argument
for keener interest in our public school system.
Upon such an interest depends the America of to-
morrow This should give US thought But what
OF the America of today? What of New Mexico
in 1922? There is no time for added courses of
study before the problems of the hour must be met
Our citzenry as it now exists must meet the prob
lem of today We can and should prepare our
children better for the problems of the future.
Enough intelligence, loyalty and unselfishness
exists today to solve reasonably the problems of to-
day il the interest of the average citizen be
sufficiently aroused to grapple seriously with them
Courage and independence needed. With these
qualities New Mexico be redeemed from her
political bondage
Only a few OF the men whom New Mexico has
honored in the past dozen years, have been worthy
OF the confluence repOSeu IN lheiH Inc psOPlc
wished for equality of opportunity. fair disribu-
ton Of the burdens of government honest,
economical and intelligent administration of pub
lie affairs. Such has not been the service rendered
by those entrusted with the task. Answer for your
self gentle reader, whether not our statement
is unjust.
Are without spirit that we will permit our
rights and liberties to be taken from thus? Are
we without hope that the evils of the past may be
corrected and so have accepted the conditions as
inevitable and have ceased any effectual protest?
Have we allowed publicity opiates to be admins
tered TO us by controlled press until we una
BILE to arouse ourselves from our stupor of acques-
cence?
New Mexico lacks any acute consciousness of
the heavy responsibility which goes with citizenship
We blithely throw away. without studious thought,
the most serious and sacred privileges ever be-
slowed upon any mantle right to cast ballot.
BY it, and by it alone come the redemption of
this great state from the hand of the despoiler.
think on these things"