Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-21
Improving Citizenship

The work inaugursted by the League OF Latin.
American Citizens Of the Valley, designed to carry or
an aggressive campaign to inculcate in the minds OF
the M~exiean-Amerieans greater respect and reverence
for the fundamental Of American government and e
disseminate and promote American ideals. is a move.
ment that deserves the unstinted cooperation Of the
entire Valley.
Unlike many organizations Of this character, the
League is non-rolitical. It's efforts will not be directed
toward gathering a following to be used for political
purposes. It is political in the sense that it will en-
deavor 20 teach the Mexican-American citizens to form
their own opinions upon matters political and to vote
accordingly. It 10 opposed to what might be termed
mass voting. a system contrary to every precept OF
American political independence. II will also be the
purpose Of the league to inform the Merchantmen.
can citizens relative to the true ideals Of citizenship
the evils of illegal voting. and the necessity for the
creation Of a spirit Of independence Of thought in all
matters pertaining to political activities. It is the
object of the league to urge participation in political
affairs as q civic duty, but it will not in any way at
tempt to direct such participation.
The attitude Of the leaders in the new organiza-
tions is that the Mexican-Amercans. both those who
were born in this country and those who have been
naturalized, should be thoroughly educated in the fun
damental duties Of American citizens. Customs and
ideals, as well as political thought in Old Mexico, they
point out, are radically different from those obtaining
in the United States. On the northern side of the bor-
der the duties Of a citizen have a broader aspect. 1t
is the duty of a citizen to participate in government;
to express his or her preference at the polls; to Gre
ate and maintain independence Of thought, and above
all, to educate themselves, their children and their
friends relative TO these duties and the privileges Of
the American citizen.
Working upon the basis that the fundamental of
American citizenship is education, the league will en-
deavor to influence the Mexican-American citizenship
10 avail itself Of every opportunity to acquire an edu-
cation. They point out that the cities and communities
have provided splendid schools, and that every child
should be given the opportunity to take advantage Of
them. Parents are urged to make any sacrifice neces-
sary to give their children an education. not only in
order that these children may better discharge their
future obligations As citizens, but that they may take
that place in the commercial, industrial or political
life Of the nation that must be taken by men and wo-
men Of education.
The organization of the league indicates that the
day of mass voting or illegal voting will soon end in
the border country. In recent years there have been
influences at work which are rapidly eliminating the
undesirable political conditions Of the old days, and
these influences will be materially augmented by the
new organization which will direct its efforts entire
~ toward intoxicating the true spirit Of Americanism in
the minds Of the Mexican-Ameriean people.
South Texas is proud Of its Mexican-American
citizenship. Many of the leaders Of this section of the
state, both commercial and political, are Of Mexican
descent, and they have repeatedly proved their thor
ough knowledge Of the duties Of an American citizen
and their appreciation of all that such citizenship con-
fers. This can best be expressed, they state, by i'm
pressing upon others their duties IS citizens, and in
accepting the leadership Of a cause of such viral i'm
port to the border country they are performing a
service that will prove invaluable.