The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-09-24
Canal HonoES
For Eugene


y
The opening OF the Panama Canal
will recall In many ways the opening
OF the Sues Canal In 1869. Like the
latter. the new canal was ut the out
set French enterprise. IN both cases
Enslish-speaking peoples have enjoy
ed the beneft Of what the French
achieved.
When the Sues Canal was opened
the occasion was graced by the
presence Of the most noted empress
| Of the time-Eugenie, a. the French
called her. First to pass through
from the Mediterranean to the Red
Sea was this august lady, who stood
at the PROV Of the vessel IN advance
and led the procession Of ships.
| IL would seem to me most fitting
that this historic parsonage. who still
survives. should grace with her pres
ence the opening Of the Panama
Canal. and should be accorded the
place Of honor. - before.
There are many reasons which
might be urged In support Of this sug-
gestion. The first has been indicated
above. There 10 Z sentimental con-
nectiOn between the two great ana
similar occasions. which would great
ly heighten the interest OF the latter
II the same person should participate
In both In the manner suggested.
Again. It IL probable that neither OF
these canals would have been at-
tempted by the French but for
Eugenie. It was her relative. Count
de Lesseps, who with her encourage
ment secured the support Of France
for the Suex enterprise, and II was
his success In this that led to the In
ception Of the Panama Canal scheme
| But t. q the Spanish world. rather
than the French. Tat I have chiefly
In mind In making this suggestion.
The new canal will unite. not separ-
ate, the Engiish-speaking and Span
iish-speaking peoples OF the new
| world.
/ OF the Spanish, Eugenie las they
call herr has been the most eminent
woman who has appeared In some
centuries. Happily for the Spanish
world. she was raised to . throne of
far greater influence and splendor
than the throne OF Spain possessed.
Al the leader Of the>Worid's fashions
expressions OF Spanish taste In dress
and household adjournment, In music.
In the dance. and she illustrated In
her department Spanish dignity and
courtesy.
1 That the laces. mantillas, rebozos,
sashes. fans. jewels. guitars, mando-
lins. castanets. songs and dances Of
spain should lead the world captive
In the middle part Of the nineteenth
century-tho century Of steam
would have been too Wild for q
dreamer to predict. Yet It was all
realized. Eugenie was hailed a. the
Incarnation Of Spanish beauty. grace.
ltssfe and FEELING, fitting figure to
repfeDent the Spanish world In the
larger World In her person or through
her 61eencA attention was drawn tn
an ne SDan1sh elements In our civili-
/ q yhs was the queen Of festivals
IN nef 1uQne1H days she has been Z
Queen Of eorrOws In her long years
Of exile and widowhood. without dy.
pastic ambition. she is now only IN
historical figure who has survived 90
long - to b available, probably, to
Add 70 the sentimental interest OF the
event et Fenoma which ID to be the
ultimate fruftioa OF her kinsman's
dream, and which II to loom large In
history.
II will be remembered that the
marriage Of Napoleon III, and Eu-
genie was not IN the nature Of Z Span
inh alliance. Eugenie was not In any
way related TO the relgning house Of
1 Spain, or indeed to any royal house.
she wa simply . Spanish countess,
raised to the very pinnacle Of public
ity and influence. a
Let her last appearance before the
world b the scene 1t Panama, whore
she may typify the great Spanish
spsaking world which = to b Joined
In the happiest4 relations with the
Enolish-spsAk king world.
Let the Empress Euesnis be In
PANsAlmRICAN.