The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-20
Spirit OF the Natives Has Been
Crushed Under Four Centu-Ses
of Spanish Oppression.
CHANCE FOR An AMERICAN
INCIDENTS ILLUSTRATING THE NER-
VOUSNESs OF THE PEOPLE.
Policemen Afraid of Yankee Soldiers
and SailOrs-OdiOus Spanish Decree
Revoked by General Brooke.
,orrespondenee Of the AsgoeIated Pres.

Correspondence of the Associated Press.
SAN JUAN, Porto Rico, Nov. SIT is said
here in San Juan that Porto Rico needs new
leaders-that the men of to-day are not fit.
because of the ranking dissensions Of the
past, which cannot be forgotten, TO lead the
island to the brilliant future that awaits it.
In this respect the following letter, freely
translated from the Correspondence, is in
teresting:
The weight of four centuries of error
has torn the Spanish flag from Porto Rico.
The passionate and uncontrolled Spanish
government, that during its sway succeeded
in poisoning all local organizations Of adj
ministration, has also succeeded, by reason
of the inevitable influence of constitutional
power, in killing the faith of the people. 1t
has awakened and kept alive feelings of
deep hatred in the hearts Of our public lead
ers 1t is impossible for these men to shake
off the clinging influence of colonial ideas
breathed by them in the past
The Spanish government in Porto Rico
is dead; but as logical consequence Of
four centuries of political misrule we have
made a mournful Inheritance Our local
politics were a reflection of those of Spain.
The practice of the exploitation of the COM
muntty at large for the financial benefit
or those in power was followed by the
natural feelings OF resentment that are sure
to be awakened in the hearts of a people
who realize their humiliating position. The
governing centerS Of the colony were like
mercantile offices-in each everything had
its price. This state Of affairs gave birth
to the first contentious. On one side stood
those who were being robbed, on the other
hatreds, followed by the determined perse-
cutlon of those among US who vainly called
for justice. This situation is the keynote
to our insular position to-day Political
ideas and ideals were lost under the shower
of personal animositieS directed at the men
who were party leaders. AS a result Of
these conditions our local political parties
We're schooled from the very beginning in
the animosittes and hatreds of bitter
struggle that knew neither reason nor re-
Election. And they have not been able to
forget their early lessons. 1t was a strife
that saddened the hearts OF the islands
best men and that in tho past, as we'll as
to-day, has overpowered them with its bit-
ter realities and lasting hatreds. There
then came to us the now sovereignty, only
to find existent the political degeneration
that is our Inheritance from the Spaniard.
Porto Rico is confronted to-day, not by
questions of reforms, but by a necessity for
creation, and this is the most solemn and
important moment In our islands history.
Our land is wearied by futile strife; IL
needs guiding hands and minds in the great
that will net be raised in vengeance for past
wrongs minds that can forget the past in
the bright promise Of the future. Now is the
time for reconstruction. This great work
claims the best effort of every Porto Rican.
But in order that our work be lasting and
strong, that we build upon foundations OF
rock and not upon the shifting sands OF
passion and hatred, we must have new
leaders. New leaders and new blood. Men
regret the death Of Spanish supremacy;
men who do not still hearken to the echoes
OF recent strife; whose minds do not brood
hearts are not full of the cruel scenes and
acts of recent days. Under such leaders
only can be formed party truly representa-
tive of Porto Rico. Nothing lasting or good
can be constructed with rancor and hard
feeling for its foundations, and those feel
ings exist in every Porto Rican family to-
day. Peace, concord and unanimity Of pur-
pose are the keynotes to prosperous
'PStriving ambition still exists among our
men; there are hopes unfulfilled and many
petty political enmites. And the men OF
the old F'uSionist and Autonomtst parties,
who have recently been noticeable because
of their enthusiastic perseverance in public
life, are in no proper mental condition 70
people There is q crying need for self-sac-
rifice; a demand for men with whom love
Of country is truly greater than all else.
When the new men come let them have a
clear PATH let US leave them alone. We
who carry the scars and wounds that come
to soldiers of liberty need rest. for our
hearts are tired and worn. And all for the
country's good. This demand for new men
and new blood in the .country's affairs ha nal,
they come from? If there are among us
to-day no men Of mature years with clear
the children of this generation grow up to
fill them?
There is much truth in the foregoing
translation The country is, indeed, in want
of new blood to lead 1t to better things, and
the Porto Ricans are people that can be
easily led. The leading, however, must be
in the right way-it must be development
and an education They are docile, peace
loving and quiet people; they are in a de-
gree childish, and a clear-headed, dispas-
sionate leader towards better things would
surely win devoted followers. The insignia
of the country is a lamb, and this can be
at large.
Where the leader viii come from 1t is
hard to say. He may come suddenly from
the people-he should not come from among
the men prominent to-day in the islands
affairs-these are all tainted with the
troubled past. The island looks to the
United States for many things. Could the
leader not come from there also? An Amer
lean of clear head and balanced mind. Of
independent means and student. man
interested in the people and in their prog
ress. and development, and welfare, an ear
nest and serious man, determined forceful
and energetic, such man as would surely
gain prominence among the men of his own
blood this man would find an interesting
field in Porto Rico. lie would find million
people awakening. A people just freed from
CALLING chains, people keen and eager for
the possibilities of the future. but ignorant
as to how they should be attained. A cul-
tured and sensitive people, they are ready
to be helped but with keen appreciation
Of what they already are and ressntful OF
harsh and unfair criticism. Their leader
would be their idol; they would cherish and
love him with all the enthusiasm of theii
southern temperaments. The winning and
the leading of the Porto Rican people may
prove an attractive experiment for just the
right American man.
LAWLEssNEss IN THE ISLAND.
Disorders at San Juan and Outragea
I'm Country Districts.