The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-11-22
NEW LEADERS INDEED.
The Island Must Shake Off its Heritage
of Partisan Hatreds.
IN. Y. SHERIDAN.
"Brigadier General, L. S. Y.
Chief of St1tf.'

The Island Must Shake Off its Heritage
of Partisan Hatreds.
Correspondence of the Associated Press.
San Juan de Porto Rico. November j..
1t is said here i'll San Juan that Porto
Rico needs new leade:s-that the men Of
t o-day are not fit. because of the rambling
Discussions of the past which cannot be
forgotten, to lead the island to the bril-
liant future that awaits it. In this 1c-
spect the following letter. freely trans
lated. from the Correspondence, - inter
eSting:
The weight of four centuries of error
has torn the Spanish flag from Porto
Rico.
The passionate and uncontrolled Span
iSh Government that during its sway
succeeded in poisoning all local organiza-
tons of administration has also succeed
ed, by reason of the inevitable influence
Of constitutional power. in killing the
faith of the people. 1t has awakened ard
kept alive feeling Of deep hatred in the
hearts of our public leaders. 1t is posi-
BILE for those men to shake off the cling
ing influence of colonial ideas breather by
them in the past.
The Spanish Government in Porto
Rico is dead; but. as a logical conse-
quence Of four centuries of political mis-
rule, We have made Il mournful inheri-
lance.
Our local politics We're a reflection
of those of Spain. The practice of tn.
exploitation of the community at large
for the financial benefit Of those in powe,
was followed by the natural feelings Of
resentment that are sure to be awakened
in the hearts Of Il people who realiZ.
their humiliating position. The govern
ing centerS Of the colony were like MGR
camille Offices; in each everything had its
price.
This state Of affairs ave birth to the
first contentious. On Onc sid stood those
who We're being r0bhed. on the other
those who robbed us. There arose rankl-
ing hatreds. followed by the determined
persecution of those among Us who vain
ly called for Justice.
This situation is the keynote to our
insular position to-day. Political ideas
and ideals We're lost under the shower
of personal animosities directed at the
men who were party leaders. AS Il re-
suit of those conditions our local politi-
cal parties We're schOoled from the very
beginning in the animosities and hatreds
of Il bitter struggle that knew neither
reason nor reflection. And they have not
been able to forget their early lessons.
It was Il strife that saddcned the hearts
Of the islands best men and that in the
past. as we'll as to-day, has overpowered
them with its bitter realities and lasting
hatreds.
There then came to us the new SOY
ercignty, only to find existent the politi-
cal degeneration that is out inheritance
from the Spaniard.
Porto Rico is confronted to-day, not
by questions of reforms, but by Il nPces-
sity for creation, and this is the most
solemn and important i'll our
islands history. Our land is wearied by
futile strife, it needs guiding hands ana
minds in the great work of regeneration
before it. But, hands that will not be
raised in vengeance for past wrongs
minds than can forget the past in the
bright promise Of the future. Now is
the time fer reconstruction. This great
work claims the best effort of every
Porto R:can. But, in order that our
work be lasting and strong, that we
build upon foundations of rock ana not
upon the shifting sands of passion and
hatred, W. must have new eaders New
leaders and new blood. Men who
are without rancOr. men no 10 l1bI It.
grct the death of Spanish supremacy:
men who do not still hearken to the echo
es OF recent strife; whose minds do not
brood upon past wrongs and receptions,
and whose hearts are not full OF the
cruel scenes and acts of recent days.
"tnder such leaders only can be
formed Il party truly representative of
Porto Rico. Nothing lasting or good can
be constructed with rancor and hard fe J.
ing for its foundations. and these feelings
exist in every Porto Rican family to-day.
Peace. concord and unanimity of pur-
pose are the kcy-notcs to Il prosperous
future.
'Striving ambition still exists among
our men; there are hopes unfulfilled and
many petty political enmities. And men
of the old Fusionist and Autonomist par
ties who have recently been noticeable
of their enthusiastic p~erserver-
ance in public life, are in no proper men
tai condition to bring about the true
union of the Porto Rico people. There IS
= CRYING need for self-sacrifice; q 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 sears ana
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 ana new