Page:Vol 6 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/633

Rh as may well be understood; partly because the Indians can be controlled by honor, family ties, and other means; but the conditions are now less oppressive.

The export traffic in Indians is another evil, which has afflicted especially Yucatan. Here it was begun by the state government with Indians captured during the war of races some forty years ago, as a means to obtain war material, and the feeble protest of the general government only encouraged this infamous slave trade, till at last more stringent laws had to be issued for its suppression.

Negroes can hardly be said to have increased, although they continue to add their infusion of blood into the other races. While their social position here is relatively higher than in the United States, yet they must be assigned to the lowest stratum, unless indeed it is insisted upon that the léperos shall be so classed. The latter are the same lazy, half-naked vagabonds as of old, save that their number has been increased by itinerant hawkers and musicians, vicious idlers and thieves, fostered by political disorder, drink, and gambling, and many of them with fair education and ability. A mild climate with few pressing wants leaves them rather good-natured, and a firm attitude or severe sentence intimidates them. Nevertheless, thieving vagabonds are not desirable, and more than one stringent measure has been taken to suppress them, by forced enlistment, imprisonment, and chain-gang labor; but of course with little effect. Mexico district, and similar large centres, swarm as usual with them, while quieter agricultural regions like