“NEW MEXICO is peopled largely by a superstitious, ignorant race, intensely bigoted, and under the almost absolute sway of a degraded priesthood, who have a deadly hatred of the spelling-book as well as of Christian instruction.
“For centuries the people have dwelt in isolation, separated from civilization by vast reaches of barren, waterless, cactus-bearing plains. During these centuries they have made no advance either mentally or morally, but have sunk deeper and deeper into the sloughs of ignorance. The mission schools established among the Mexicans are centres of light from whence radiate many cheering rays. The people are awakening to a sense of their degradation, and give evidence of their desire for improvement. Many are anxious to learn English and to have their children educated. A little plain furniture, such as chairs, tables and bedsteads, is finding its way into their houses, and more attention is paid to dress and cleanliness.”
New Mexico is about as large as all the New England States together, with New York and New Jersey.
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