The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-12

heard to remark. III only could spetlS
Spanish, ! would 20 to Mexico or Cuba
etc, yainly regrettlng their lost opportu-
| uity OF settling In our colonies or OF in
vestng their small capital In some profit
able business transactions
The knowledge .ot said language would
greatly facilitate American colonization,
Increase oaE..c commerce to such an extent
that We could compete with the world, In
ducing our capitalists to extend o2r fac.
tories in those foreign countries. thereby
increasing our revenues strengthening the
credit OF our nation as we'll as enabling us
10 be In direct contact. commercially with
az our newly acquired colonies benehtng
all classes OF people.
The only and efticacious remedy is for
our people TO learn the language How
snail IT be done2 Primarily by introduce
ing u In our public schools
This once accomplished, would be an
incentive to our people, who, Immediately
realizing the necessity of this language
which VIII ere long become as essential
as German was when these people first
emigrated In our State. Then there would
also be many private schools opened to
our people.
4 great many think as do, that our
children should be given an opportiinify
OF acquiring the language spoken in those
countries where the American people GER
tainly expect to colonize
fhen, why should not Houston, the
great metropolis OF Texas, take the lnitia-
i've and become the leader OF our State in
tntronlcing such necessary language in
her schools, other cities would soon fol-
low W.
inc European people who are not 80
QUICK IN action have realized the neces
SHY or that language, many already possess
H. II Is also known fact that in Eu-
lopean countries an education is not con-
sidered complete unless one possesses the
knowledge of several languages. WIN
should not we Americans as a cosmopoli-
tan nation adopt the same system, which
would greatly benefit the coming genera :
ton7
Unfortunately we do not consider our
great loss in neglecting to utilize the
numerous advantages offered us by hav-
ins direct trade with our neighbor and
sister republic, Mexico where America n
goods are highly appreciated, hut so badly
represented for want of competent inter
prefers. Whereas France and Germany
are represented by men who have a thor
ough knowledge Of tho language This
accounts for them being the leading mer-
chants of that republic, having obtained
entire control Of the trade. England in
her railroad and mining enterprises ia
equally successful meeting with little a,
no competition. | do not see any reason
why we should not pride ourselves IN dis
playing our goods to them by competent
men that we may also he benefited by the
adjoining country on our borders, whose
trade we should endeayor to obtain.
ct uLs not defer this question to some
future occasion; now is the accepted time
Spanish, by all means, should he intro
duced in our free schools. Many who have
not the means of taking private lessons.
as would be desirable, would avail them
selves OF the opportunity rendered them of
acquiring the now most necessary Lam
guage next to our own mother tongue
The acquisition OF the Castilllan Ian
guage is very urgent. for good many OF
our citizens have already entered into ne
gotiations with these Spanish speaking
countries, and it is Just that we should
Instruct our children in the language that
would enable them in the near future TO
succeed in all kinds of business enter
prises, commercially or otherwise
! sincerely hope that the wishes OF our
people will soon be gratifed In this metrop-
oils through the able assistance OF our
leading paper and worthy friend, The
Houston Post Citizen.