Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-17
MEMPHIS APPEAL
TUESDAY, JANUARY IL, 1882

HLMRUHS ARREAHI
TUESDAY, :: JANUARY IL, 1882
TEACHING THE SPANISH LANGUAGE
The United States Of America have become
the cynosurc OF which the eyes of the world
are turned Our marvellous resources and
extraordinary progress, the genius of our in
stitutions, which guarantees the largest civil
and religious liberty, are themes on
which the people of Europe love to
dwell. The late civil war between
the States, the subsequent sectional
hatreds and the anarchy and discord engen-
dered by the reconstruction acts gave strength
to the monarchical governments of Europe.
Kings, despots and tyrants rejoiced at the
civil war and its accompanying strifes
These were held up as the failure OF
another republic, and as evidence that
the people could only be ruled by the
despotic power of royalty and kingcraft.
But time brings its revenges well as
its changes. The usurpers are trem-
bling upon their thrones, while the United
States government never was so strong. In
deed, the late civil war and the discords which
it entailed upon the country have demonstrate
ed the indestructibility of the republic. As
the broken bone is made stronger when firm
" set, SO has the United States government
been made stronger by the blood which has
been shed to cement it into an indiyisible re-
public. The clouds which once shrouded
this asylum for the oppressed have given
place to the bright sunlight of peace and
prosperity, and the people of Europe have
caught the spirit of our institutions. Indeed
love OF America has infused itself into the
civilized world, and especially has it touched
the philosophy of Germany. As showing the
growing admiration of the whole of Europe
we have only to refer to two facts-the con-
slant stream of immigration landing on our
shores, and to the more significant fact of the
general desire in Europe to have the Eng
lish language taught in the public schools.
The desire TO become acquainted with the his
tory of our people, and the expectation OF
some day immigrating to America, have
caused the people of continental Europe TO be
seized with mania for learning the English
language. The consequence is that nearly
every foreigner who now arrives at our sea-
ports can speak our Language with ease
and huency. In former days the foreigner
had to learn our language by association
with the people, which was great draw
back to his immediate success. But now he |
comes in our midst familiar with our history |
and our language, and is ready armed and |
equipped for the battle to be fought in his |
new home. The same reasons have created |
a desire in America to learn the Spanish |
language. 1t is plain to be seen that at no
distant day Mexico will become an integral
part Of the United States. Our people and
our government may disclaim any desire for
the conquest and annexation of Mexico to
the United States. But the fruit must be
plucked as soon as it is ripe; and the indica-
lions are that the Mexican people will
gladly hail the change, as they are
tired of revolutions and want Just
such a stable government as they will
secure by following the example of Texas.
Even if Mexico should remain permanent
republic, she is to be our nearest neighbor,
and as the intercourse between the two ma
tions is to become cordial and intimate, the
same motives which induce the people OF
Europe to learn the English language will
induce the people of the United States to
become familiar with the Spanish language
Indeed, it is now urged by the press in va
rious sections that Spanish instructors be
employed in all the high schools in the
United States. In view of the future rela-
tions that will inevitably subsist between the
people of Mexico and the United States,
there is more to be gained by learning Span
ish than any other foreign language. Nearly
a dozen American railroads are penetrating
the republic of Mexico. The field of effort
for future generations of Americans will be
among what are now Spanish-speakiu: {
races. The region between our southern !
boundary and the deserts of Patagonia {
contains now more than forty millions
Of people who nearly all speak the Spanish !
language. 1t is from those countries that i
the best trade is TO come; it is in that region .
that the men of the United States are to |
build and operate railroads, open and (
work mines, subdue forests, plant fields, and, ,
in short, find occupations. To succeed, the {
first requisite is to be able to talk with and 2
to correspond with the people. Our rail /
roads have struck the soil of Mexico, and c
an immense force is rapidly pushing them {
toward the capital of Mexico. All can see
what an advantage a man would have there
cow who could read aud write both
The English and Spanish languages. With /
hem an American boy or young J
man seeking fortune would have a CAPT
tai to commence business on. With the
exception of the growth of sugar and tobacco, Z
Mexico can never become our rival in any c
branch of trade. She produces large
amount Of raw material of various kinds,
but she has neither the coal nor the water
power to permit of her manufacturing them.
In those things constituting the main ele- {
ments of our wealth she can in no sense t
compete with us. Her soil is of incalculable .
but her climate is such that grain
Fan only be raised to any extent by irriga- !
lion. The precious metals constitute much C
he larger part of her export trade, and the o
deposits, especially of silver, are per- y
maps as rich as any in the world; but she
has neither the capital, nor skilled labor,
nor enterprise, nor mining intelligence suf
icient to develop them. Iron ore of excel n
ent quality is abundant, but, in the absence o
IF fuel, can only be worked to limited ex- ?
ent. In fact, we have no cause to fear !
Mexican rivalry in any of our lead y
ing industries, except, as we have n
stated, in the production of sugar and to-
oacco. The district OF country suitable for :
he growth of tie former is more extended a
han ours. The climate also is better, and
il is probable that when Mexico is more
July developed and her labor system better \
organized, her sugar crop win be largely in W
excess of our own products. In the quantity e,
IF tobacco which Mexico will be able to pro- d
lucs, it is believed she can never equal n
us. 1t is, however, lar superior to ours :
in favor. 1t equals that of Cuba, and as n
vet is raised in comparatively small s.