The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-05-25

1t will be recollected by our readers that q
Spanish lady Of great accomplishments and
genius wrote an Ode to President Lincoln on
his Inauguration. This Ode warmly breathed
the spirit Of Liberty TO the whole human race.
The name Of the authoress is Carolina Coron-
ado, wife OF Mr.. Perry, our Secretary OF Lega-
ton st Madrid. Events which have since oc-
Cured In our country give to the verses Of the
Spanish poetess an almost prophetic charac-
ter, which has led to correspondence in a
Madrid journal wherein the poetess has been
requested to write book on American sav-
cry. She declines to write such book in a
most eloquent and brilliant letter, and gives
various reasons for coming TO such conelu-
sions.
"The book you ask for, she says, "fve hun
dred thousand bayonets are writing on the
fields Of America. Each battle is chapter,
and the freed blacks who combat between the
two great armies, are the living letters which
are now to be printed, and which will leave
their eternal mark in that great press of the
Republic" Be-.
The above is but single passage from a
long letter, in which hundred others appear
equally eloquent and powerful. 1t is decided
ly the most eloquent, sharp and splendid doc
ument our war has called forth, from man or
woman, and we wish we had space to copy
and 1t may be uttered by woman or bird"
The book demanded is work for the hsto-
rian, for the philosopher, for the statesman,
and even with all these qualities / doubt
whether it would suffice to explain the scandal
It Is for humanity, that still in this age there
should be one single slave upon the earth"
In another passage she says, "For this, q. e.,
emancipation,l Lincoln, the patriarch, the
prudent, the friend Of peace, at the same time
that he raises to Heaven paternal hand pray
ing for mercy upon that people, sustains with
the other stalwart arm the standard Of war"
Thus speaks lady of Spain, and then comes
TO US another voice from old Spain, the voice
OF DonEmilio CASTELAR,, professor of history in
the University of Madrid-one of the most ell
oquent and learned men of that or of any other
country. This learned gentleman is Director
Of the Journal entitled "Democracia." "There
Is not at this moment" he writes, sin the
world another subject OF interest like the
emancipation of slaves in America. 1t may be
said that the decree of Lincoln closed the book
Of the ancient history, putting the last seal
upon the apocalypse of iniquities and infamles
which have dishonored humanity. The great
Republic OF America has her feet still bathed
In blood, but her head Is haloed 10 a sea OF
light"
The whole article Is full OF the most eloquent
passages. He contends that slavery is the in
heritance bequeathed to US by the ancient ty-
ranny, and has not been opposed in the world
except by democracy. The Asiatic empires
instituted it. The classic nations inherited it.
The frst time 1t was broken in the world was
when that religion appeared-democratic by
excellence-that religion OF the poor, the out
cast, that great reaction Of the soul of the
slave against Rome which finished by tearing
her crown from the mistress of the world.
The second blow slavery received was in
the middle ages, when, face to face with the
feudal element, the democratic element arose
Melted by the warmth of democracy, the
shackles Of the unfortunate serfs of the glebe
fell of.
The third blow was struck in the French
revolution. The republics of America, in the
hour Of their independence, instead of adorn.
ing with garlands of flowers the affairs of the
country, hung them with the chains of the
slave.
We cannot forbear TO clip the following from
this eloquent paper of Don Emilio CASTELAR,:
"But the last grand effort whice remained
70 be made has been made by the American
democracy, and closes the book of our glory
That society - virgin - without traditions
without history, without kings and without
sristocracy. founded by generous men who
went to seek beyond the ocean those forests
which still remind US OF the first groves of the
creation, TO found there the government o
nature, the government of liberty, aud to fine
there a refuge for their thoughts, temple fol
their faith-that society, where all rights ar,
secured, where all citizens are free, has jus
displayed the virtue of democracy, breaking
the last chains OF the slave. And in present
ing US this great work 1t has merted well o
the natons-the laurels OF history-the bless
ings OF God"
Such are the brilliant emanations OF tw'
Spanish minds-one of a woman, the other o
a man. We see by reading such eloquen
thoughts how this war is viewed by other ma
tions, and how much Importance great mind
and noble hearts attach to emancipation
We who live under the shadow of these grea
events do not fully appreciate and understan
them In all their momentous consequences
Objects too near the eye cannot be seen i