New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-05-08
4 NATIONAL PROBLEM.

CAN ANY GOOD THING COME OUT or AMERICA
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR This question, st Can any good thing
out Of America I" Is almost pertinent and point
ed in day the question of the guileless
raee about Nazareth 800 years ago. Tho public
tment and taste OF people be rapidly tend
ing toward its answer in the negative. II we judge
by the conduct OF what called the leading classes in
society. they appear to think that compared with other
countries, there is very little that good at home II
they wish to travel, they must "go abroad" This
magnificent continent OF ours with ts wonderful
rcly OF beautiful scenery and saubrious climatic
with mountains that rival those OF Switzerland,
and lakes beautiful those Of Italy, and rivers
noblcr than any which flow through Europe, and with
mineral springs sparkling and heahiu as any that
bubble up any transatlantic :; with facilities
for locomoion by day night by land or water ncom-
paraby superior to Of any other country annually
forskcn by thousands of people They prefer to lavish
gold Of their country foreign nnkcepers and dis
honest couricrs while they rush through dozen different
countries in three months, doing" palaces and cattle
drals and galleries and museums and studios at railroad
speed, getting superficial AMI confused views and
IDEAS unable when they return TO retain any distinct or
discriminating memories of what they have seen and
heard and leaving in too many cases anything but fat
erng impressions OF themselves their country on The
on the grand tour" II is plain that nothing good can
come out OF America in the way of travel.
Then, there not growing fcelln5 among many OF our
people that their children cannot he "a thoroughly edi-
Gated here as they be abroad T. And are there not
many hundreds Of American youths scattered here and
there over Europe, far away from home and home inl
cnces educated not only in foreign literature hut foreign
principles and and habits Of thinking and living,
which, say the least, Will not fit them III the best man
ner the duties and responsibilities which attach To
citizenship this republican and Protestant land Can
any good thing out OF America i'll tho way OF educ
ton
And is IL quite the correct thing in the best soci-
ETY." Young lady to he married without ring her
trousscau from the seat Would her marriage be
valid IL she not led to the altar in ono OF Worths
bridal robes Must not her friends who may he on the
other side be loaded down with commissions ana Obliged
become amateur smugglcrs. and tell many white lies
deceive Government officials, when those "a trunks
robe Of equal richness and style from any hrstcaSS
Broadway store answer at ALI fear not No goDd can
come of America in the way OF dry goods ana min
merry for upper clasScsl" How much gold Is
avished annually foreign travel, cdncatiOn silks
satns and jewels pictures and satuary which, kept at
home would build up and reward American industry aud
brains and help the nation in steady advance toward
the golden age OF specie payments!
Is there un-Amercan spirit growing up In our So
and affecting national fci Is there such an
excessive and unlscriminating estimate OF foreign
scenery schools and matters of taste and scholar
ship and religion as tends unfairly to dcpreciae Amer
can industry genius. and fitness for the higher positions
IN society and in the churchi What Is the Influence
likely to he upon youth in any Of the leading walks
life Will IL tend to cultivate an enlightened aud gen
crous love OF cOuntry-o stimulate lofty ambition 10
serve her well aud deserve her gratitude ana iavOrf Or
will t tend To the discourse cement OF her young sahts
and dcprecate their country in their eyes Is there any
Can any good thing come out Of AMEEIGht
Neu York, April 2S 1879.