Antonio José Martínez
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/* American period */ minor
[[Image:1 11 martinez.jpg|thumb|Padre Martínez, ca. 1848]][[Priest|Father]] '''Antonio José Martínez''' ([[January 17]], [[1793]] – [[July 27]], [[1867]]) was a [[New Mexico|New Mexican]] priest, [[teacher|educator]], [[Publishing|publisher]], [[Ranching|rancher]], [[farmer]], [[community leader]], and [[politician]]. He lived through and influenced three distinct periods of New Mexico's history: the [[Spanish colonization of the Americas|Spanish]] period, the [[Mexico|Mexican]] period, and the [[United States|American]] [[Military occupation|occupation]] and subsequent [[New Mexico Territory|territorial]] period.
Martínez appears as a character in [[Willa Cather]]'s ''[[Death Comes for the Archbishop]]'', which cast him according to the [[black legend]] view of the Spanish clergy.
== Spanish period ==
Martínez was born, Antonio Jose Martín, in [[Abiquiu]] in 1793, when New Mexico was a very isolated and desolate territory of the [[Spanish Empire]]. In 1804, the Martín family, including his father Severino and five siblings, moved to [[Taos, New Mexico|Taos]], a prosperous [[Trading post|outpost]], where they came to be known as Martínez. During his upbringing, Martínez's father taught him the importance of ranching and farming at the [[Martinez Hacienda|Hacienda Martínez]] in [[Northern New Mexico]]. In 1811, Martínez married María de la Luz, who died giving birth to their daughter less than a year later, when he was only 19. Their child was named in honor of María de la Luz. Six years later Martínez moved south after much thought and correspondence with the [[Bishop]] of [[Durango]]. He decided to travel there in 1817, and become a priest, enrolling in the Tridentine Seminary of the Diocese of Durango. Martínez not only excelled at the [[seminary]] but also in understanding the ideals of [[Liberalism|liberal]] Mexican politicians and teachers of his day, including [[Miguel Hidalgo]]. After six years, Martínez was [[Ordination|ordained]], and he returned to New Mexico, where after a few years in other parishes, he became the [[parish]] priest of [[Taos County, New Mexico|Taos]] and from then on was known as '''''Padre Martínez'''''.
== Mexican period ==
[[Image:PadreMartinezStatue.jpg|thumb|222px|left|Padre Martínez Statue, Taos, New Mexico]]
While Martínez was in Durango, the [[Mexican War of Independence]] had taken place and New Mexico became part of independent Mexico. Under Spanish rule, trade with the United States was limited. In 1821, under Mexico's rule, the [[Santa Fe Trail]] was opened and trade encouraged. [[Anglo]] traders, including [[Kit Carson]] and [[William Becknell]], began pouring into New Mexico.
Around 1824 or 1825 Martínez's daughter, María de la Luz, died. This event, coupled with the many other situations occurring, and the responsibility to his people and homeland, started Martínez on his quest for social change in New Mexico. In 1826, Martínez started a coeducational school, employing teachers at his own expense. Martínez also opened a minor seminary to prepare young men from the area for the Durango Seminary.
In 1831, 1833, and 1836 he served as a deputy in the Departmental Assembly of the Territory of New Mexico and influenced decisions there. In the early 1830s, Martínez obtained a printing press and began to print religious and educational material, including a children's book, an arithmetic book, and a guide to [[Spanish language|Spanish]] [[orthography]]. Martínez also oversaw the printing of the first newspaper in the area, ''El Crepúsculo de la Libertad'' ("The Dawn of Liberty"), founded in 1834.
In 1843, while [[Antonio López de Santa Anna|Santa Anna]] was the [[President of Mexico]], Martínez wrote him and argued that the [[nomad]]ic [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] should be taught farming and [[mining]] because their primary staple, the [[American Bison]], was in danger of extinction. Martínez's request was ultimately ignored after Santa Anna directed it to the Departmental Assembly for Initiation.
===Land grants===
Perhaps the most important issue of the Mexican period from 1821 to 1846 was that of Spanish and Mexican [[land grant]]s to individuals and groups of families. The inconsistency between the Mexican (and previously, Spanish) administrations' systems of recordkeeping and land distribution left many New Mexicans bitter. [[Manuel Armijo]] was [[Spanish governors of New Mexico|governor]] of New Mexico during much of the Mexican period and lavishly distributed land to [[Canada|Canadian]], American, and Mexican clients. He approved more than half of all land grants made by the Mexican government. Many skilled businessmen and land [[Speculation|speculator]]s took advantage of Armijo's liberal land-grant policies. [[Charles Bent]], a well-known and wealthy frontiersman, merchant, and land speculator had great interest in acquiring property in New Mexico, especially in and around Taos. Martínez and his brothers are known for resisting Bent and his collaborators from fulfilling their desires in Taos. Many land-grant issues exist to this day.
''See also'', ''[[Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] (1848)'', ''article 10''
== American period ==
In 1841, the newly formed [[Republic of Texas]] recognized the difficulties New Mexico was facing and decided to take advantage of them by sending an [[Texas Santa Fe Expedition|expedition]] to invade New Mexico and possibly annex the territory. The invasion failed, and the Texans were captured by Manuel Armijo. This event, in addition to the numerous Americans already living in New Mexico, led many to believe that New Mexico had weakened and become ready for invasion. The [[Mexican-American War]] began in 1846. [[Stephen W. Kearny]] led 1,700 American troops into Santa Fe without encountering any resistance. Before the invasion, Martínez had witnessed the animosity towards Native Americans and Mexicans displayed by the Anglos living in New Mexico. He encouraged his students to study [[law]] and it was to them he delivered his famous quote.
Within a year of the American occupation, the [[Taos Revolt]] occurred. Charles Bent, the newly appointed American [[Governors of New Mexico Territory|governor]] of New Mexico, was killed in the uprising. American forces quickly regained power, instituted [[martial law]], and executed the rebels involved. Many, including [[Kit Carson]], believed Martínez himself took part in some way in instigating the rebellion, but nothing has been proven. In a letter to a friend in Santa Fe, Martínez stated that the American reprisals were too harsh and would hinder future relations between New Mexico and its new rulers. Despite the problems, Martínez was able to adjust to the administration and for seven years played a dominant role in the conventions and legislative sessions of the new [[Territory of New Mexico|Territory]].
===Bishop Lamy===
With the new government came new leadership, both political and religious. [[Jean Baptiste Lamy]], a [[France|Frenchman]] nearly 21 years younger than Martínez, became the [[vicar apostolic]] of Santa Fe in 1851. Martínez supported Lamy until January 1854 when Lamy issued a letter instituting mandatory [[tithing]] and decreeing that heads of families that failed to tithe be denied the [[sacraments]]. Martínez publicly protested the letter and openly contested it in the secular press. From then on, Lamy and Martínez clashed over many issues, such as the effects of frontier life on Catholic standards, and women’s issues. The two also argued over interpretations of [[canon law]]. The situation culminated when Lamy wrote a letter explaining that he felt New Mexicans faced a sad future because they didn't have the intellectual liveliness of Americans and their [[Morality|morals]] were primitive. These comments outraged New Mexicans. The clergy of New Mexico wrote a letter directly to the [[Pope]], expressing their concern about Lamy. Martínez was not involved in the letter but continued to write communiques criticizing Lamy for the ''Santa Fe Gazette''.
In early 1856, Martínez offered his conditional resignation, but admitted his parishioners in [[Taos, New Mexico]] to his private chapel in his home and ministered to them from there. On October 27, 1856 Lamy suspended Martínez. In response, Martínez antagonized the pastor that Lamy sent in his place, drew a neighboring priest into his orbit, and gained the allegiance of approximately a third of the parishioners in the two parishes. Finally, in April 1858, Lamy [[Excommunication|excommunicated]] Martínez. Martínez never recognized the validity of the excommunication, and continued to minister to his supporters until his death. Martínez also continued to write about [[Christianity]], publishing his famous work, ''Religión'', in which he called for small honoraria for priests in New Mexico, because of the heavy demands associated with New Mexico's isolation. He also explained the problem of denying [[sacrament]]s to individuals because of their financial status. Lastly, he condemned the [[Spanish inquisition|Inquisition]] and all the actions associated with it, including the many excommunications.
==Death and Legacy==
[[Image:PadreMartinezMemorial.jpg|thumb|100px|right|The grave of Father Martínez]]
Father Antonio José Martínez died on [[July 27]], [[1867]]. His body is currently buried in Kit Carson park in Taos; enscribed on his tombstone are the words: "''La Honra de su País''"--"Honor of his Homeland". A 10-foot statue of Martínez by sculptor [[Huberto Maestas]] was unveiled at [[Taos Plaza]] on [[July 16]], [[2006]].
== Controversy ==
===Revolt of 1837===
{{main|Revolt of 1837 (New Mexico)}}
When Santa Anna became the President of Mexico in 1833, he intentionally began to centralize and departmentalize the Mexican government. Santa Anna also began to impose harsher taxes in New Mexico, which sparked a [[Revolt of 1837 (New Mexico)|rebellion]] in the [[Northern New Mexico|northern]] part of the province. In 1837, the rebels, mostly poorer ranchers and farmers, captured Santa Fe, killed governor [[Albino Pérez]], and installed their own governor, José Gonzales. The leaders of the rebellion were divided on their goals and soon factionalized.
American merchants and traders within New Mexico were uncomfortable about the new government and funded a Mexican army led by [[Manuel Armijo]] to put down the uprising. The Martínez family had grown wealthy through [[trade]] and would have become a critical subject had the rebellion survived. Martínez not only helped fund the Mexican army, but also offered his services to Armijo as chaplain of the army until the termination of the revolt in early 1838, when the old administration was restored with Armijo as governor. Upon suppression of the rebellion, Armijo ordered the execution of José Gonzales, but not before directing Martínez: "''Padre Martĺnez, confiese á este genĺzaro para que le dén cinco balazos''" or "Padre Martĺnez, hear this [[genizaro]]'s confession so that he may be shot five times". Martínez heard Gonzales's confession and then handed him over.
===Penitentes===
{{main|Penitentes (New Mexico)}}
Following [[Mexican War of Independence|Mexican independence]] from [[Spain]], Church authorities in [[Mexico]] withdrew the [[Franciscan]], [[Dominican Order|Dominican]] and [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] [[Missionary|missionaries]] from its provinces. In 1832, the last of the Franciscan regional authorities authorized Padre Martínez to supervise the [[Penitente]] brotherhood, a type of [[folk Catholicism]] that had developed among the [[Hispano]] New Mexicans. In addition to offering spiritual and social aid to the community, the Penitentes engaged in such [[ascetic]] practices as [[flagellation]] and the carrying of heavy crosses. Bishop Lamy unsuccessfully attempted to suppress the brotherhood as a part of the "Americanization" of the Church in New Mexico. Padre Martínez, however, championed the Penitente cause, putting him squarely at odds with Lamy.
== Quotes ==
*''His greate name deserves to be written in letters of gold in all high places that this gaping and ignorant multitude might fall down and worship it, that he has and done condisend to remain amongst and instrkut such a people.'' - thoughts on Padre Martínez and the people of New Mexico in a letter by Charles Bent
*''You can say that the teachings of the American Government represent a burro, and this burro can only be mounted by lawyers and not the Clergy.'' - Padre Martínez to seminary students in September 1846 when transitioning his Taos seminary to law school.
==Notes==
*{{cite book | author=Fray Angelico Chavez | title= But Time and Chance | pages = p. 173 | publisher = Sunstone Press, Santa Fe | year = c. 1981}}
*{{cite book | author=Richard W. Etulain, ed. | title=New Mexican Lives | pages = p. 120, 122| publisher=University of New Mexico Press | year=2002 | id=ISBN 0826324339}}
*{{cite book | author = Rev. Juan Romero | title = Reluctant Dawn, A History of Padre Martinez-Based on 1877 Biography | pages = p. 63 | year = First Ed. 1976, Second Ed. 2006}}
*{{cite book | author = Pedro Sanchez | title = Memories of Antonio Jose Martinez, 1901, Translation by Guadalupe Baca-Vaughn | pages = p. 41, 54 | year = 1978}}
*{{cite book | author = Santiago Valdez | title = Biografia del Presbitero Antonio Jose Matinez, Cura de Taos, 1877. Manuscript in Huntington Library, Ritch Collection, San Marino, California | year = English Version by Juan Romero, 1993}}
*{{cite book | author = Authors include E.A. Mares and Thomas J. Steele | title= New Perspectives from Taos | pages = p. 150 | publisher = Millient Rogers Museum of Taos | year = c. 1985}}
== References ==
*{{cite book | author=Thomas J. Steele, S.J. | title=New Mexican Spanish Religious Oratory 1800-1900 | publisher=University of New Mexico Press | year=1997 | id=ISBN 0826317685}}
*{{cite book | author=Susan A. Roberts and Calvin A. Roberts | title=New Mexico | publisher=University of New Mexico Press | year=1989 | id=ISBN 0826311458}}
*{{cite book | author=Marc Simmons | title=New Mexico: An Interpretive History | publisher=University of New Mexico Press | year=1988 | id=ISBN 0826311105}}
*{{cite book | author=Pedro Sánchez, English translation by Ray John de Aragón, 1978, original Spanish edition 1903| title=Memorias Sobre la Vida del Presbítero Don Antonio José Martínez / Recollections of the Life of the Priest Don Antonio José Martínez | publisher=Lightning Tree | original Spanish edition 1903| id=ISBN 0890160457}}
== See also ==
* [[Death Comes for the Archbishop]]
== External links ==
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11635c.htm Information on ''Penitentes'']
*[http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/5796.html Article on Martínez in the ''Free New Mexican'']
{{Nuestra Historia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martinez, Antonio Jose}}
[[Category:American Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:History of New Mexico]]
[[Category:Humanitarians]]
[[Category:Mexican American leaders]]
[[Category:Mexican Roman Catholic priests]]
[[Category:Taos County, New Mexico]]
[[Category:People from New Mexico]]
[[Category:People excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church]]
[[Category:1793 births]]
[[Category:1867 deaths]]