The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-15
TIE IGNORANT spANIARps.

THE IGNORANT SPANiaIDS.
Tho curses Of fcudalism with the rule
Of the best born" are more strongly en-
;renched in Spain to-day than in any
Other part o. Europe. When the French
Revolution tore down the whole fabric in
France. SIS march toward Tho South
stepped at thc Pyrencos. Had II cross
ca that range Of mountains and done It's
work IN Spain as I'm France the United
States would not be confronted, as it Sc
to-day. with the probable necessity OF
killing G few hundred Spaniards and hu-
initiating that proud and naughty. but
imbecilp. monarchy. Bonaqarte's inva-
sion and occupation OF Spain was a
movement ior mere military conquest
and acquisition and bis downfall was the
certain ana just punishment that follow
al his crime. But he always claimed
chat 81 he had succeeded in what he aim
cd at ne would have destroyed feudaiism
in Spain and have established democratic
institutions there. This is probably true
and Spain might well have afforded TO
pass under a foreign yoke 90 have secured
that blessed result The Spanish people
are not only cursed with the remnants
of fcudalism. but they are the most priest
ridden people that are now on the earth
So that between fcudalism and religious
b.cotry the masses Of the people are the
most ignorant in Europe. They actually
and sincerely believe that in "a contest be-
tween the United States and Spain the
United States would have no show. They
believe that Spain could sweep our navy
from the seas ana land an army here that
would march from one end Of the country
TO another.
General Bradley T. Johnson was N Ha-
vana some eighteen months ago and
while sitting one evening in the military
cafe, whore several hundred officers were
dining. one Of them, whom he knew,
left q group and came over TO him. say
ing: General. those officers over there
are discussing war with the United
States and General - says he could
land column in Florida and march It
to New York De you think he could do
it " If the column went peaceably
along the road said Johnson, land be-
haved itself it could do it. But If II got
TO stealing pigs and chickens the police
would run them ali in"
This shows the Spanish conception Of
the case and the case as it would actu-
ally be-
We were intensely amused by reading
in SUNDAYS paper the following extract
from g letter to Madrid paper from a
Spanlard in New York city:
we are in the crater Of a volcano. It
seems as though not only the Maine, but
the whole Union fleet had been blown up.
Fragments of ships are falling like fiery
rain upon this city. Nincty-nine per cent.
OF the people blame the Spaniards for the
catastrophe. The fact is the feeling pre-
vailing among these hawkers is one of
terror For a couple Of years they have
believed that the Cuban question was all
thorns for Spain and all roses for Them
selves. Now finding themselves sudden
~ chastised, words fail TO describe their
fear and amaZcment.
III we now had az the head Of our
government a worthy man ne would be
master of the situation and show TO the
world these people in the ridiculous light
they deserve. we few Spanlards who,
for our sins. ind ourselves in this he'll,
recognize that If Spain gave quick, en-
orgetic blow they would not resist and
would quickly cry for mercy. for pro-
longei war TO this country would prove
terrible foe
Men Of money abound. but they have
no spirit and no self sacrifice. Ii we
quickly landed few sharp blows the de-
mOralzation would be instantaneous and
they would surrender at discretion. What
q pity We are letting slip this possibility
the only opportunity Providence viii
give US Of gaining at one stroke respect,
glory. credit and money
Now this spaniard I'm New York knew
perfectly well that he was writing lies,
but nc knew the ignorance and temper Of
the Spanish people and he knew that he
Was furnishing the food that the appe-
ttc Of Spain craved. n war must come.
1t will be forced on us because feudalism
and b,gotry rule Spain anu faston upon
her people their inevitable result-be-
sotted ignorance and blind superstition.
We have hoped and prayed that there
would be no war. because there has been
no occasion for war. But if IL must
come We hope our authorities will make
Il sharp and decisive. It is case IN
which money can be used most effectively
and we have unlimited supplies OF that,
while the spaniards have little or none.
The war ought not to be very serious
matter TO us and the sooner We punish
Spain sufficiently the better it will be Cor