176 WHY SO DEGRADED. 



These conservators of intelligence and morals are often as sadly deficient 

 in either as those they assume to teach. Gambling, swearing, drinking, 

 Sabbath -breaking, and sundry other vices, are the too frequent concomitants 

 of their practice ; — under such instructors, who can fail to foresee the 

 attendant train of evils ? The abject condition of the people favors the im- 

 press of unsound instruction and deteriorating example, reducing public 

 morals to a very low ebb. 



Property and life are alike unsafe, and a large proportion of the whole com- 

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

 language. In their honesty, 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 sufficient inducement is presented. 



With the present of a few dollars, witnesses may be readily obtained to 

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

 generally secure the required judgment, however much at variance with 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 with the few 

 exceptions in the family of man who cannot 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 they 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 in 

 the preceding summary. 



The ladies present a striking contrast to their countryman in general 

 character, other than morals. They are kind and aflTectionate in their dis- 

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

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

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

 equally predominant. 



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

 be attributed to that government policy which confines the circulating me- 

 dium of the country within too narrow limits, and thus throws the entire 

 business of the country into the hands of the capitalist. 



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

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

 haughty lordlings, 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 the 

 latter have, by degrees, lost all ambition and self-respect, — and, in degrada- 

 tion, are only equalled by their effeminacy. 



