226 WHY SO DEGRADED. 



These conservators of intelligence and morals are often as sadly deficient 

 m either as lliose they assume to teach. Gambling, 'swearing, drinking 

 Sabbatii-breaiiing, and sundry otlier vices, are the too frequent concomitants 

 of their practice ; — under sucii iustructors, who can fail to foresee tlie 

 attendant train of evils'? Tiie abject condition of the people favors tlie im- 

 press of unsound instruction and deteriorating example, reducing public 

 morals to a very low ebb. 



Property and life are jilike unsafe, and a large pi'oportion of the whole com- 

 munity are little other than thieves and robbers. Profanity is their common 

 language. In their Ijouesty, integrity, and good faith, as a general thing, 

 no reliance should be placed. They are at all times ready to betray their 

 trust whenever a sufiicient inducement is presented. 



With tl;e present of a few dollars, witnesses may be readily obtained to 

 swear to anything; and a like bonus placed in tlie hands of the Alcaldi will 

 generally secure the required judgment, however mucli at variance v>rith the 

 true merits of the cause. 



Thus, justice becomes a mere mockery, and crime stalks forth at noon- 

 day, unawed by fear of punishment, and unrebuked by public opinion and 

 practice. 



But fear, in most cases, exercises a far more controlling influence over 

 them than either gratitude or favor. They may be ranked wiih the few 

 exceptions in the family of man who cam»ot endure good treatment. To 

 manage them successfully, they must needs be held in continual restraint, 

 and kept in their place by force, if necessary, — else tliey will become 

 haughty and insolent. 



As servants, they are excellent, when properly trained, but are worse than 

 useless if left to themselves. 



In regard to the Mexican women, it would be unfair to include them ia 

 the preceding summary. 



Tlie ladies present a striking contrast to their countryman in general 

 character, other tlian morala. They are kind and affectionate in their dis- 

 position, mild and affable in their deportment, and ever ready to administer 

 to the necessities of others. But, oa the score of virtue and common 

 chastity, they are sadly deficient ; wliiie ignorance and superstition are 

 equally predominant. 



One of the prime causes in producing this deplorable state of things may 

 be ai.ibuted to that government policy vvliich confines the circulating me- 

 dium ul the country within too narrov^ limits, and thus throws the entire 

 business of the country into the hands of the capitalist. 



A policy like this must ever give to tlie rich the moneyed power, while it 

 drains liom the pockets of the poor man and places him at the mercy of 

 haughty lordhngs, who, taking advantage of his necessity, grant him but 

 the scanty pittance for his services they in tender compassion see fit to 

 bestow. 



The higher classes have thus attained the supreme control, and the com- 

 moners must continue to cringe and bow to their will. In this manner th« 

 Atter have, by degrees, lost all ambition and self-respeci, — and, in degrada- 

 tion, are only equalled by their efleminacy. 



