The Matter With Spain

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D.C. · Feb 18, 1904

The Matter With Spain

THAT there is something the matter with Spain no well-informed person will doubt. It has dropped from the position of a first-class power to that of a third or fourth-class power. Mr. William E. Curtis, special correspondent of the Chicago Record-Herald, who has recently been traveling in Spain, writes that the trouble with Spain is:—

Too much pride.
Too much politics.
Too little respect for the dignity of labor.
Lack of enterprise.
Too many old-fashioned notions about the proper habits of a gentleman.
Too many crowded monasteries and empty churches to support.
Too few schools.
Too many holidays.
Too many cigarettes.
Too much dishonesty in official circles.

Perhaps I might properly include other items in this enumeration of “what is the matter with Spain,” but these are the principal evils, and the people will never be prosperous until they change their habits and their notions on the points mentioned. For example, about one third of the three hundred and sixty-five days in the year are holidays authorized by the church, and their celebration is encouraged by the priests on the theory that religious interest is thereby stimulated and contributions are increased. The earning power of the laboring classes is not only reduced more than thirty per cent by this loss of time, but there is so much drinking and fighting that half the laboring population require an additional day to sleep off the effects of the celebrations.

Do those who hope to make the United States a Roman Catholic country expect it as a result of its loyalty to the Roman Church, to be like Spain?—Northwestern Christian Advocate.