La correspondencia de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 1890-1943, 1902-04-24
THE FOUNDATION.

One of the cRuses, perhaps the
principal one, which determine the
greatness Of the American people,
is their physical strength, their
endurance, their he<hfulness.
Physical energy, indeed. forms
The basis Of that peoples social,
political and moral development,
in the same manner rs the shaft of
granite supports the architectural
&ud&cities of an edifi1e.
That theirs is favored country,
admits of no discussion; nor is thare
any doubt that their good star has
ever accompanied them from the
first moment of its colonization.
1t is o curious history-that of
New York which even in compen-
dunn makes interesting reading.
Hudson, q Dutch navigator, reaches
the mouth Of o North American
river, lands on an Island called
Manhattan by the Indians. buys ths
territory from them for 1924, payable
in goods, and lays the foundation
cf the principal city Of America.
Thus during the first decade of
the XVIIth century WAS New York
founded. In 1914 some Dutch traders
built for houses and . small fort.
In 1914, the British, stimulated by
their weakness for expansion, took
forcible possession Of the country.
In 1899, the population had reachsd
5000. At the beginning of the last
century the young giant had increased
to 90. 600, and k9pt advancing ut
such rapid strides, that it had
already population of 202, 600, in
1880; { Sic, 900, in 1850; then 8O5, 900
in 1860; $4,000, in 1870; 1880, 900,
in 1880; 100000, in 1890, and
finally, 3 300. 900, as Greater New
York, in 1900.
What men were these, who
thus multiplied themselves? What
migrating people, who achieved
such results? Well, they ware
q mixture of all the peoples of the
earth. - A happy mixture, operating
in a propicious soil. A mixture
whereof the component parts did
not degenerate on being blended,
but engendered a sound, intelligent
product, wonderfully prepared for
the struggle Of life and for victory.
From all quarters of the world
these factors came, and continue to
come. Tney found in America their
Canaan. An immense continent, q
fruitful land, country of their wn,
wide horizons of diversified clim ates,
wise laws, q firm sovereignty, and
atmosphere Of freedom. And out
of the sum of all these factors arose
the stock which is to revive B BAbylon.
Now that the people of Porto
Rico have linked their destiny to
that country, let us think of oil this.
Oar territory was not purchased
and paid for rs the Island of
Manhattan: it was ceded. Liberty,
wealth and wisdom were not brought
here with the first conquerors. A
single people of Europe, strong and
vigorous in its country, WAS almost
our only progenitor, and hence our
people, physically enfeebled through
the infaence of q warm climate,
without laws that might have re-
medied the evil, without liberty to
protect themselves against such o
condition, lost amid the waters Of
the Caribbean Sea, are certainly not
a people of energy and strength.
For the purposes Of legislation,
here, then, is one Ct the important
circumstances to be borne in mind.
This legislation should necessarily
tend to satisfy so humSnan exigenCy.
All measures calculated to |
promote welfare, encouragement,
strength for our people, to furnish |
them with the means of securing o
livelihood, to supply |
them with wholesome food, exempt |
from usurious prices; all these, we |
say, should be legislated and t. ken |
into account
Light, home, soil, air, surround
lngs,-all these should be reached by
the gentle action of the laws. It
should not be forg item, that these
people have not lived, for slavery is
not life; and that the Island is rich
enough to pay literally the price Of
health and liberty.
This must be done, and shall be
lone, though therashness of political
parties and the guilty turpitude of
loOls, should consDire AGAINST IL