Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14
THE SPANISH PEOPLE.
a Word Of Defense Put in by Mrs
Abba Goold Woodson.

a Word Of Defense Put in by Mrs.
Abba Goold Woodson.
In the Boston Herald of May 18th
are two columns headed, A Plea for
, Spain, written by Mrs. Abba Goold
Woodson, who, from long residence
and travel in that country, is entirely
familiar with the Spanish people We
have only room for the following
extracts:
Yet, observation has taught me
that, so far from being correct, this
prevalent opinion regarding the peo-
pie OF Spain is the exact opposite of
the truth. Judging from what
have seen for myself, 1 am compelled
to believe that the Spaniards at home
are singularly honest, quiet, sunny
natured race, scorning meanness, and
honorable for honor's sake With
in the north, they have kindness of
heart and generosity of spirit, and
maintain frank, sincere bearing in
all their intercourse. I am aware
how incredible this will sound: vet
allegiance to truth and justice makes
any other testimony on my part i'm
possible. Into whatever regions nv
pllgrlmages led | was befriended on
every side, often voluntarily accom-
panied by some good, stur6 towns
woman from the inn, whn wished to
make sure that l saw III the glories
OF the cathedral, and that no one did
me an i'll turn, and who often scorned
any payment for such aid And any
man, high or low, of whom | made a
passing inquiry answered as if the
credit OF Spain and her chivalry were
at stake in giving me a helpful repl,
and such efncient service as lay in
his power. These people were not
posing for a foreigners eye; | saw
them, as they were, in widely differ
ent sections, and where their national
characteristics and habits remained
unchanged. 1t might be pleasanter if
we could believe our enemy in the
present war to be the embodiment of
vicious instincts, but loyalty to truth
should be the first duty of any citi-
zen the world over, especially when
there can be no question of danger
10 the state; and surely no country is
Tree where such truth cannot be spO-
ken. And now woman stands at
the head of the government there, as
she does also in England and Hol-
land-a thing which can never hap
pen in our republic. Like all the
royal Austrian family, she has Span
ish blood in her veins, and is a direct
descendant of the great Isabella, as
is also her son on the part of both
parents. Her purity of life, strict
devotion to her duties as mother and
a ruler, her simple bearing and good
ness of heart have brought her the
homage of all Spain"
That Europe is Christian today.
and not Mohammedan, and that Eu-
ropes child, America, inherited from
her parent our present faith and the
civilization based upon it, is due to
the fact that just north of the narrow
straights of Gibraltar, over which
sailed persistently the dark hosts
from Asia and Africa, exteudelI q
peninsula inhabited by a rarr
dauntless spirit and of unfagging
loyalty to the Christian cause. For
seven long centuries they held the
gateway of Europe against Moslem
hordes resolved upon it's conquest, till
they had replaced the crescent with
Spain. Only six months after that
tremendous work had been ended by
the surreder Of the Alhambra, a fleet
Of Spanish vessels was leading the
way westward over unknown wastes
OF sea, and, save their great Genoese
leader, every man on board was a
Spanish seaman. Thus Spain saved
Europe and gave to it America. She
has lost, and is losing, her last hold
on that new world which she revealed.
1t would be a crime of ingratitude if
Europe and America did not combine,
if need be, to save the Spanish PENN
sula intact for the Spanish people.
These people have in them the max
ing Of the best republicans, next to
ourselves, in the world.
'All who care for the welfare of
humanity, in any broad and general
sense, must hope that, as the outcome
Of this struggle upon which we have
entered, Cuba will be free-not only
for her own good, but for that of our
selves and Of Spain as well. And
those familiar with Spain must hope
that the Queen Regent may continue
at the head of its government, to
guide it wisely for herself and her
son, till the people can be qualified to
establish a republic.