appeared. Still, there are a few men who earnestly advocate their redemption, regarding them as capable of improvement, and as citizens entitled to every consideration. The measures proposed affect all the humbler classes, embracing as they do the extension of public schools, the abolishing of any enslavement for delt, the discouragement of isolated communities, and the distribution of land in small proprietary holdings, the government purchasing large tracts and selling them in parcels by instalment.[1] This would give impulse to dormant ambition and political pride, and direct the plodding patience which prevails to some extent among the Indians.[2]
Although only an insignificant percentage among them attain any prominence, a, considerable proportion accumulate money; not for adding to their comfort, however, but to invest in herds, or in some stately though useless dwelling; or to secrete it, even from their descendants. They prefer the garb of poverty and the humble life of their own people, perhaps with the esteemed position of leaders, to an equivocal standing among others, subject to the contemptuous slurs of the lowest half-breed. Even Indian women show little of the common feminine desire for finery.[3] As for the mass of villagers and laborers, they live from hand to mouth, content with a mere shed, or even the free sky for a roof, with a scanty covering for the body, and for food, maize, frijoles, and chile. The least possible labor provides for these wants, and careless for
- ↑ Measures like these have been recommended ever since colonial times, and later most earnestly by Bustamante. Medidas Pac., MS., i. 60-73, ii. sup. 9-13.
- ↑ It is affirmed that their indolence is due chiefly to oppression, which has made it undesirable to accumulate the products of labor. Mühlenpfordt, Méj., i. 229. Geiger believes them to be willing workers if encouraged. Mex., 318.
- ↑ Castellanos relates as an instance of their extreme conservatism: In 1851 a friend of his rewarded some of his laborers with a more complete suit of clothing than they possessed. The following day they returned the gift, stating that their people had threatened to stone them for departing from the inherited custom. This occurred in Cuernavaca district, not far from the capital. Castellanos himself was requested by a village municipality to demand fro:n the king of Spain protective measures in their behalf. Such was their knowledge of political affairs in 1831. Defensa, 20-1; Miscel. Mess., pt vii.
