62 THE ACOMA INDIANS [eth. ann. 47 



Every compromise is a defeat for us. Let us not touch them in any 

 way lest we perish." " 



As one would expect, the Liberal Party is composed largely of 

 young men and women who have spent years awaj' at schools. They 

 have seen enough of the ways of other people to have become impa- 

 tient of the intolerant and bigoted provincialism of the Conservatives. 

 They see no reason why they should not bring such machinery, tools, 

 household utensils, etc., into the pueblo as woidd make their life 

 easier and more pleasant. They wish to learn the ways of white 

 men in order to protect themselves in legal and conmiercial dealings 

 with them. They realize that the medicine men are simply magi- 

 cians, and that they frequently spread disease, etc. But the core of 

 the Liberal position is an emotional attitude; they are willing to 

 change — to compromise. 



The key of the Conservatives' position is likewise an emotional 

 state. They suffer from an emotional fixation upon the past. Never- 

 theless, the Conservatives are quite correct in charging many of their 

 present ills to the whites. They have suffered much at their hands. 

 Moreover, they have adopted the most efficient policy possible to 

 preserve the old ways; no commerce of any kind with the whites. 

 This policy, which is an unconscious, intuitive reaction to white 

 encroachment, is tremendously effective in serving their interests. 

 For they are right ; every compromise is a loss for them. Their ideal 

 is absolute isolation, and they approach it as closely as possible. 



At the present time the Conservative Party is in the majority. 

 They predominate nimierically and, to even greater extent, in influ- 

 ence. Most of the officers are Conservatives. This is, of course, 

 what one would expect. The officers are the custodians of the old 

 tradition. Much of the power and vehemence of the Conservative 

 Party is due, without doubt, to this fact. The officers would lose 

 their power, their status, if the Liberal policy were adopted. Indeed 

 the very positions would become extinct. Old Laguna stands before 

 their eyes as an example, the bones, of the ancient regime bleach- 

 ing in the sun. Naturally the men in office will do everything in 

 their power to continue the system which gives them power, distinc- 

 tion, and status; and the Liberals do not want offices (except perhaps 

 the governorship) because they are identified with the regime which 

 they wish to supplant. 



By degrees, however, the Liberal Party grows in numbers, and 

 the hold of the Conservatives, although more militant and articu- 

 late, grows weaker. It is just a question of time before the whole 

 scheme shall collapse, and the integrity of the political and social 

 organization of the pueblo be lost forever. 



*" It must be understood, of course, that neither side has expressed itself in these words- they have not 

 analyzed the situation carefully nor consciously stated their position, hut these statements of mine well 

 represent the feeling and position of these two parties. 



