The Marietta journal and courier. (Marietta, Ga.) 1909-1918, 1915-12-10
Washington Letter
Washington City,
December 6th. 1Q

TIE ! sources of the. south are
marvellous, her natural advantages
are equal to any portion of the I'm
ion. The regularity and reliability
of her climate conditions are su-
,perior 70 any section. l hear much
said here about the wonderful natu-
raj advantages of the southern states.
frequently wonder if we of the
south properly appreciate our van
tage grounds. The completion of
the Panama Canal, and the opening
up of American trade with South
American countries furnishes the
south with thousands of excellent
business opportunities Already the
government has hundreds OF choice
positions to be given to men who can
speak and write the Spanish lang
uage. Southern educators should
not neglect the pre-eminent impor-
tance CT adding to the curriculum of
their schools and colleges the teach
ing Of the Spanish language 1t real
ly seems that the old slogan CT Hor-
ace Greedy go West Young Man"
can now opportunely be paraphrased
to Learn Spanish young man, by all
means learn Spanish"
In 1898 or 1899, just after the
Spanish American war Senator Hoke
Smith, then a member of the Fulton
County Board of education appreciat-
ing the advantages of future posi-
bilities of the Spanish language in
troduced and had passed a resolution
requiring the teaching of the Span
ish language in the public schools
of Fulton County. 1t would be
decided advantage for our
country if when we go after the
Central and South American trade
our commercial representatives could
speak readily and fluent this
charming language. 1t is easier to
win a fellow when you can address
him in his own native language, you
can get to his confidence quicker and
more substantially. 1t will soon be
necessary for the United States to in
crease our consular representation in
the Latin-American countries.
The boys speaking volubly the
English and Spanish Language will
experience no trouble in securing
Counselorships to those Central and
South American Republics. Soon the
fcment in Mexico it is hoped will be
settled, and business conditions will
assume normality, when there will
be plenty of opportunities there.
There will even be a demand right
here at home by firms in this part
of the country dealing with Spanish
American houses. Trade and educa-
tion goes together industry and in
telligence are inseperable. Our
greatest agency in the utilization of
our advantages lies in the proper
education of the present and future
generation. 1t is within the range
of possibility for America to be the
greatest producer of raw materials as
well as the finished products, and we
have got to look abroad for custo-
mers. 1t is absolutely imperative
that we speak the languages of those
nations whom we desire to trade
with us. l had rather be young
man mastering the English and
Spanish language without a dollar,
than to be young millionaire know
ing nothing of either We cannot
succeed in the future unless we are
educated, we must not lose sight of
the fact that practical education is
more important than the dollar. We
cannot advance without intelligence,
the future outlook for the educated
young man is refulgent, and for
those uneducated, painfully gloomy
The future successful business man
will be the educated one, the sue
cessful and prosperous laborers will
be those who have acquired educa-
tons. The controlling and prospe-
rous nations of the future will be
those whose greatest of population
are educated. l am glad to know
that such Statesmen as the Senior
49,, l.
eye on the future and is especially
anxious that our young men enter
ing their majorities thoroughly equip
themselves for the ardous duties that
lie before them
Last week there was pulled off in
the public schools of Michigan a