Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-25
The Spanish Language

EDITOR HERALD: Iu an editorial of
the Cronico of this city, issue OF the
18th instant, is to be found the follow
ing: " Many manufacturers and mer-
chants of the United States believe
that the business houses of the Span
ish-Americans are withdrawing from
mercantile relations with them, either
through want of confidence, or from
fear that their orders and commits
sions do not receive the careful atten-
ton due them," ETC., etc.
Permit me to make. Oh this point,
some observations for the benefit OF
both parties.
Tie merchants and manufacturers
of this country have failed to receive
the benefit due them as taxpayers,
owing to the erroneous policy pursued
by those in charge Of the public
schools, on the point of instruction in
languages. 1t moreover is true that chill
drenare now taught IN the said schools
certain things of which, in short time,
the greater part is forgotten, for want
OF practi e. How much more advan-
tageous would it be could they en-
| ploy the time SO used in learning Ger
man, French or Spanish, after mas
tering their own native tongue. 1t is
not long since that l read paragraph
copied from one of the dailes of the
Mexican capital, complaining that the
greater part of the Americans that 90
to Mexico, attracted by the business
opportunities offered them by the rail-
roads, have no knowledge OF the
Spanish language. 1t has also good
reason for its complaint in stating, as
it does, that as they have courses for
English in their higher schools, 20
ought the people in the United States
to have in theirs, courses of instruc-
ton in Spanish. And this point is
we'll taken, for turning to the cata-
logue of the University of New York
for the past year, courses OF instruc-
ion in all other languages, even to
Hebrew, are to be found, but no men,
ton OF Spanish. Now let me assure
the merchants and other business
men of the United States that the
majority of young Americans are
anxious to acquire a knowledge of the
Spanish language.
The reason why the Germans and
French have established mercantile
and friendly relations with the Span
ish-Americans and are SO we'll fitted
therefor and have so little difficulty in
negotiating with them, is in conse-
quence of having learned their lau-
guage.
1t is very rare to find young Ger
man or Frenchman who has had
regular education who does not have
a knowledge OF the Spanish language.
The lack Of this knowledge is yet
more sti ongly felt here in California,
where the business transactions car
ried on with the natives Of the land
are of considerable Importance
Americans would become OF much
greater importance with their South
ern neighbors ii they could under
stand that it is for their own best in
terests and would condescend to ac-
quire their language. 1t is now six
years since l obtained the signatures
Of some 20O OF the most prominent
business men and house-holders of
this city, to petition asking of the
School Board that a class might be
established for instruction in Spanish.
The aforesaid petition, which was
subscribed to with remarkable readi-
ness and approval, was laid before
the School Board by my distinguished
fir end, the Hon. exc Governor Downey;
but, to the astonishment of all, the
petitioners did not attain the desired
end. had no other motive than the
desire to propagate the rich and har
mohious Castilian tongue. One thing
is certain, that if those to whose
charge such matters are intended, had
given due attention to the petition and
had granted the request OF the sign
ers, putting into practice the ideas SO
rightly and earnestly advanced, to-day
there would be q great number OF
young Americans who would possess
practical knowledge of Spanish Ian
guage. A. CUYAs, A. M.