The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-06-04
Does This Hypothesis
Lift the Vail?
HISTORY is SILENT
But R. g. kittreII, Brings Forward
Strong Argument Of Great Force
to Show That the Colonists Anal.
gamated With the
Croatans.
(BY r.. G. KITTRELL.)

To appreciate fully the first organ
lied attempt to plant an Anglo-Saxon
colony in the new world, we must
glance briefly at conditions existing
in England and Spain during the
earlier years of the 10th century; for
the early history of the English
speaking people of America had its
beginning in the intense rivalry be-
tween these two nations which grew
out of the Protestant Reformation;
the purpose of the first attempt to
establish an English colony in Am
erica was so to increase the wealth
and influence of the mother country
that she would be able to contend
successfully with Spain.
Truly the 18th century was a great
period in the history of Europe. 1t
was a time fraught with great crises
in the lives of individuals and of
nations-a time when the founda-
tons of civilization seemed to hang
by mere thread over. the ever WIDEN
ing chasm made by the parting of the
old and the new eras. The Renais-
sance, which had its beginning in
Italy during the 14th century, was
spreading throughout all Europe and
a new learning, a new art, and new
religion all bore testimony to the fact
that men were freeing themselves
from the narrownesS of the Middle
Ages. Some nations welded to ira
ditions and false principles of civili-
Zation, resisted this new birth" with
all OF their power and influence;
others, guided by far-sighted and
progressive statesmen, received it
with enthusiasm. This produced in
tense rivalry and deep hatred between
the different countries. Spain. will
ing to sacrifice evrything rather than
the doctrines of her beloved church.
defended the old order with the zeal
of fanaticism; England, alert to self
preservation, championed the new
order with an enthusiasm born of
progress. Thus by force of circum-
stances these two countries, as cham
pions of opposite ideas of government,
learning and religion were bitter riv-
ais.
Materially speaking, the colonial
ton of the new world was the prize
at stake in this momentous game
played by Catholic Spain and Protest
ant England.
Spain's success meant the planting
in the new world of colonies which
would develop into an empire, the up
holder of narrow mindedness and the
foe to progress; England's success
would mean that freedom of thought
and action in a new and fertile field
the people who had made the mother
country the progressive, liberty-lov-
ing nation that she then was-we
would expect the colonies of such a
people to develop into progressive
states which would some day unite
into a strong republic, the champion
of law and liberty.
During the earlier part of this
struggle for the mastery. the advar1-
tage was chiefly with Spain. The bril-
liant achievement of Columbus which
had added a new world to mans
knowledge, had been followed in
rapid succession by the daring and
successful adventures of Balboa. De
Leon, Cortez and Pizarro. BY the mid
die of the century tributaries in
South America and around the Gulf
of Mexico, and colonies in the West
Indies poured untold wealth into the
Golfers of the mother country en-
abling her to maintain the largest
navy and the best equipped army III
the world: her galleons passing to and
fro dominated the Atlantic Ocean, the
pathway TO the new world.
Her colonies were so rapidly ex-
banding, they would, unless speedily
checked. soon embrace the Atlantic
seaboard of North America, thus
closing the continent to English col
oniZation.
England, though making great
strides along manw lines of progress.
did not possess a strong standing
army. or a large navy; neither did
she own a single colony in the new
world. Therefore, how to check the
increasing power of this hated rival
of their beloved country was the prob
lem that perplexed the brains of
many Englishmen.
The Cecils and the Queen thought
it could be done through diplomacy:
Frobisher, Davis and Gilbert believed
the surest and shortest road>to SUI
premacy was to be found in the long
hoped for northwest PASSAGE"
Drake, Hawkins and Greenville
maintained that severe. though dis
connected blows at SPANS commerce
and colonies would pull her down to
England's level. Thus did these lead
ers of men attempt to check Spain's
power. These theories, though par
TALLY successful, were not adequate.
The farsighted, patriotic solution
OF this question was to establish on
the continent of North America coll
onies. unhampered by useless and de-
structive restrictions. These colonies
would limit SPANS sphere of colon
ization and influence, and if properly
supported they would add such
eminent that it would soon be able
TO contend successfully with Spain
the dream and hope of the children
OF the Protestant Reformation.
Sir Walter Raleigh, seeing the in
adequacy of these disconnected at
tempts on the part of his countrymen.
and realizing the absolute necessity
of colonizing the new world, lent his
influence, energy and wealth in the
promotion of this policy He was the
apostle of English colonization.
though unsuccessful himself. yet he
pointed the way to jamestown and
plymouth.
Early in life the desire to give Eng
land richer colonies than those of the
Spanish king became the guiding
principle of all his efforts, the fixed
idea Of his life
1t is impossible to place true es-
innate upon Raleigh's influence on
civilization. Naturally endowed with