New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-20

path must cleared-but foolish Is the visitor to
tho isthmus who does traverse it. for there was
the Of Spain's first glory IN the western world
the centre from which radiated her forces in ex-
plering the west coast OF the Americas. the gate
way through which flowed the commerce which
once gave her power and riches. and the city upon
which she founded her empire OF the west
What manner OF place ''old" Panama was IN Its
hslycon days now knows exactly II must
however. have been a goodly cfty-ttrle, location
and circumstances all consideration it's ruins are
eloquent OF past grandeur 1t was IN lSi1-a quarter
OF a century only after Columbus had discovered
the Western Hemisphsre-that "old" Panama was
founded and In 1871 II by royal decree. raised
10 the dignity OF city. As early as 1874 vessels
were navigating Chagres River far as Cruces,
whittier merchandise was transported from ''old"
Panama a stone road the only remnant OF
which now remains is a stone tide bridge on the
beach near the tower ruin. In I597 the stone road
was extended from Cruces TO Porto Bello. on the
Caribbean coast and thereafter. for nearly a CEN
fury. 'rold- Panama hourished upon trade and COM
In ISL Sir Henry Morgan and his buccaneers. as
sisted by the Indians who were filed with an I'm
placable hatred for the Spanish. swept down upon
Panama and literally extinguished it That act OF
wanton despoiiation produced the Panama OF to-
day the stricken inhabitants OF the old city fed
in terror along the coast the volcanic elevation
where now stands the city. and founded the only
Panama the world now knows. The old city is,
however by long odds the more Interesting place OF
the two Morgan's cutthroats after pillagng II and
giving Il over torch, left II but stone ruin.
and more than two centuries have completed the
work Of spreading desolattor-
"oLp" PANAMA AND THE NEW.
was out there yesterday. There lives amid these
ruins once the home OF wealth, splendor and
power one aged native Panaman. His home Is a
matched hut; his associates the birds and reptiles
that infest the place; his thoughts Of unbroken
idleness; his ambition neught save to live among
ruins, hard by the cathedral tower of which he
fancies himself the caretaker. But this native
Domingo is the only name he has ever known-wtn
cut paths through the Jungle and lead you from
ruin ruin. Time and the vegetable growth decay
ting and being deposited the ground have sufficed
70 raised the level of the soil to what was once the
second story OF the houses in "old" Panama Tho
vegetation excessive that IL is impossible 10
advance foot until after the nachete has done its
work: but persist and you may wander among the
remains OF homes and palaces-an In solid stone and
encumbered with vines. wild fig trees and
weeds. Bats will rise dazed and noisy from the
yoohess gables and dark. dank. buried floors; but
presently you will come TO open space Here
few hundred yardS from the cathedral tower-Inount
the walls OF what was once q parish church Thick
and strong they were. and they have resisted the
advance Of vegetation that they nclose the only
cleared place TO be found whore once were streets
and plaZas. And here within these walls spread
about indiscr1rninately. each marked with rough
cross made OF twigs tied together with the tenoril
VI Rlne, IS the napye pury1ng Rrouno patroniLeo
BY those poor humans the interior and along the
coast II is note Of pathos emphasizing desoia-
Son for here these destitute beings with their
oead-to the only BIT of consscrated ground to be
found for miles around
Between Panama and fits progenitor, oio"
Panama there is to-day little similarity. though
originally they must have been very much alike
fahenia boasts its ruins. numerous and imposing.
1hes are The ruins left by fire. which has repeatedly
swept the place. Panama's more ancient features
resemble In general outline those of the Panama 1t
'coeeceo and the Panama OF to-day has its tragedy
sho oesoiation Just did the other OF its name.
Our fanarna can, however. boast the advantage OF
p0SsoiHues thing the other never could have
eHe even had Morgan spared II. for II is upon the
st inaccessible portion OF this coast. and Its site
uio never have been made TO accept modern
e&s es To sanitation. In this city where am
"nune sanitation health. modern conveniences and
.nlor's can all be made possible with minimum
Of effort
THE cITY'S BAD REPUTATION.
ms city stands upon q volcanic plateau. whose
e Is several feet above the level of high tide.
"hose underlying stone forms a natural wall to
~ the ude which rises and falls average OF
eshteen feet Slightly 10 the westward. tow