The Peril of the Republic of the United States of America - Percy T. Magan

congress has been described by Mr. Roberson, who
himself visited the congress while it was in session.
He gives a very favorable account of the character
and ability of the members. Of the eighty-three
members sitting, seventeen were graduates of
European universities, and the president, Pedro
Paterno, took his degree as D. D. in the University
of Madrid, and afterward received his degree of
LL. D. from the University of Salamanca. His
books are of such reputation that they have been
translated into German.
It is said that we can Americanize these people.
We can not, we dare not, do it. To educate them
would be to make rebels of them. Could we teach
them the history of our glorious past? Could we tell
them of the deeds of the Fathers in behalf of
freedom and independence? Just as surely as we
did, the spark of liberty and independence would
be kindled in their breasts, and they would demand
of us by what right we were their masters. Our only
hope would be to keep them in superstition and
ignorance. It is far easier for Great Britain to rule
colonies and to better their condition than it is for
247