The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-11-10

and highly intelligent class
of Spaniards, Of aristOcratic lineage,
and bringing with them to es9
shores all their innate courtesy and re-
tnement Of manner. This polish has
been retained in all its purity, al
though many generations have sue
ceeded to the rich inheritance Of this
locality. One can term il an outside
coat OF varnish, which.scrycs to cover
the william beneath, but my associa-
tion with them was delightful, never
to be forgotten experience. There is
no distinction displayed in the treat
ment OF the poor by the rich. The
paupcr receives the same courtesy as
that extended to the autocrat. The
beggar asks for aims with the manner
of IA Chesterfield, and when the gift is
bestowed, their musical "Dcos Lo
paga" (God will reward you). is an
swered with deyout "Amenm The
people are entirely under control Of
the Catholic church, and the influence
OF the sainted old Padre for peace and
unity is felt everywhere. Public
schools are not only sanctioned, but
patr0nzed by the church. Boys and
girls are taught in separate houses.
The boys are taught by male and the
girls by female teachers. One teacher
does not have to exceed twenty pupils.
The girls are taught, in addition to
the regular studies, sewing and en-
brOidery. and the marvellous work of
little tots Of six and seven wears is
wonderful. The boys get an hour of
manual training each day, and also
display fine ability in the trades.
All children, at the age Of seven years,
can read and write their language
readily, and mathematics is simply
second nature to the boys. The little
peddlers were posted as to the amount
the discounts on their moneys huctu.
ated from day to day. and try as one
might one could not confuse them.
They are patriotic in its truest and
most sublime sense.
The manner in which they accepted
their defeat; the dignitied yet kindly
courtesy extended to Americans whom
they acknowledge as their real con
Quer0rs, can spring from no superb
cial mind. And the Cubans although
through us they have gained their
rights, there is no outward show of
arrogance toward the Spanish ; on the
contrary, certain humility in their
conduct toward those who were so
late their owners and commanders, is
discernible always in their manner to-
ward their vanQuishcd foe
A Cuban once said to me: "When
the Spaniards conquered us, they
forced us from our pretty homes, tax
ing possession of everything we own
ed. In many cases our wives and
daughters were not allowed to take
their little keepsakes. Many of our
grandames shed tears because they
were not allowed to retain their rosa
ries, with which they had recited
their prayers from childhood. Well"
and Struggling his shoulders express
sively, "they fear. Why? Because,
they we'll know If the American sol.
diers were removed we would claim
our rights, and the same punishment
they inflicted upon US we will meet
out to them"
Our countrymen call the Cubans
thieves, but we must have this much
charity. We are taught, "as the twig
is bent the tree inclnes." II such has
been the teachings Of the Spaniards,
who can blame their pupils? AS far
as the conduct could reveal the en-.
lightenment or degeneracy of a ma
tion, / am compelled to confess the
Spaniards and higher class of Cubans
to be refined, cultured and highly
civilized people: not progressive, but
learned. The negroes are submissive
humble. Industrious oh, so willing tt
learn and so quick to grasp an idea
and for the most part honest. The
women long for the freedom accorded
the women Of America. A very beau
tiful and prominent Spanish lady
throwing out her arms toward me
cried: "Oh, to be free! free. To fee
that my family could trust me; to b.
able to go out and return again with
out being watched and followed like
criminal. The agony Of this bondage
Is uncomfortable" Yet, so it Is. A
young girl, walking out with her beau
is chaperoned by the entire family
The local government has a law pro
hibiting a lady taking a gentleman's
arm, unless she is his wife. Yet COM
mon law marriages are about univer'
sal.
:. Withal these two nations have been
NJ war with each other so long, they
stand as a unit against the invasion
of Americans for purposes OF COM
mercc or trade.
The one thing l could not reconcile
mvself 60 was the many shades Of
mplexions under one roof. One ex.
perience serves to show ws1ast how the
blood is mixed. Accepting o invita-
tion to spend an evening at the nOme
OF one Of the elite Of the Cuban soci'
49,, rou,d fhoro throa hooVttfnl