New-York tribune., 1885-03-29

the American continent excites the brain and
electriies the inteigence the brilliant weather
hilarates the spirits The, rapid play of Thoughts
conduces to wit, fancy, and imagery. The compar-
atve faculty is evoked. and things that are prims
facie dssimilar brought together by interesting
combinations. American utterances, whether oral
or written formal informal public or private. are
remarkable for illustrations. similes. images, figures
of speech. Ideas are thus embodied and conveyed
or conceptions formulated. with aptness and
facility Naturally there is fear lest this facility
by SHINING against the canons of taste Instances
of verbal excess may have occasionally been rlie
any may yet appear. But year by year, as the
National Judgment rpsns% % and h as tae eare nd ts
hyperboes will be touchdown. Then. as such faults
removed. tho native vigor of thought and ex-
preston will remain unimpaired. 1t IL impossible
to move among Americans of almost any class with
ont being struck 10y the sparkle OF their wit.
Seldom IS an argument addressed, either IN writing
or speaking, without being 1piced with wittclsm,
and the moral OF stern facts is pointed with hnHor-
Ous Illustrations The American wit is not so
polished and raper-like as the French, and depends
less upon delicate turns of refined expressions; 1t
is never ponderous, but is often what would he
termed dry and Is always directly telling, like the
winged shaft dying straight to Its mark.
natural breadth of thought. an aptitude for
bending tine mind to the contemplation OF things on
grand scale. facIe comprehension of magnitude
in every form. are to be reckOned among American
characteristics These qualities are nurtured
amidst the physical surroundings of the people the
majestic limos ON which tho American continent has
the expansive bays the stately rivers the lakes ike
inland seas this boundless pralries the prmeyai
forests the enormous distances between the several
parts of the continent In the rapid mental grasp OF
large conceptions which from their very largeness
wOul be hard OF comprehension ordinarily, IN pre-
senting them W tn clearly defined forms, and IN
clothing them with language that instantly strikes
the ear or the eye, the Americans are surpassed Dy
few. Probably in no country Is the gift of huent,
imprOmptn el0quence more widely dlfiused than
in the United Stlte3 On the other hand, no people
are less dreamy. less disposed to abstract specn-
iatIon that leads to actual result Doubtless the
contest with nature in the colonial times quickened
the ntuitlye faculties and sharpened the instincts
of the Nation. Although this contest has long
ceased in the older States. where everything has
been subdued by civilization it is still going Oh
throughout the younger States and the Territories
1t this stress of necessity that has produced the
shrewdneSs and acuteness for which the Ameri-
cans have always been distinguished
In short all the Conditions OF American lie nave
combined 10 impart practical bent to the National
mud. Some Nations have grown gradually, together
with their opportunities; as their necessities
gathered round Them so their strength and hbre
became hardened as their labor increased, 80 their
resources multiplied; in fine the infant Hercules
warmed to his work by degrees. But the American
Nation is like fnll-grown Hercules confronted at
once with all hls labOrs and endowed with might
equal TO the sudenness of the vast occasion. Then
there has been the instant need of taking mp arms
against SEA of trouble" trouble, however. through
which q passage can be, and has been, VIGOROUSLY
forced Thus it Is that the Americans have been
compelled to become practical Nation; Besides
the spur of necessity. thcre has been the anremeX
people with a wonderful stimulus, and induced
them not only IT, work hard, but as some think, to
than one pho5opbic authority to be suffering from
hiQhprcssure and over-stran. No doubt with such
u life theirs there is danger lest they mould be
led to forget the ultimate aims OF the highest human
existence.
Et propter vitam viveudi perdcre
Bnt probably this tendency will become diminished
as tho Nation consolilates itself There has been
heretDfore "A want in America of leisured classes
of individuals not preoccuped with practical cares.
and free to employ themSel yes IN the pursuit of
ABSTRACT TRUTH Of the beautiful in art, of elevated
refine mont, of speculative philosophy. in short, of
every thing comprehended in tho Indefinite but
suggestive term of culture" 1t must be admitted
that yet America is far from being abreast OF the
foremost European Nations as regards culture IN
the bo,t But she is doubtless gaming ground
fast her literature in most. II not IN all branches
Is growing apace, and In some is already splendid
leisured class is springing up and is receiving
constant accesSions.
AZ present men arc wondering whether America
will evolve a new civilization and, if so, of what
sort 1t will be Is thcre really "a coming race Y
II is that race to arise on the Atlantic shore now
associated W tn memories that are classic and hls-
toric compared with the new social formations IN
the West. on the broad basin of the Mississippi
and the Missouri, or In the bosom or the Rocky
Mountains or in the Pacific seaboardf Some high
authorities anticipate that America deriving
stamina not only from the United Kingdom, but
also from Scandinavia and Germany. receivin too,
some blood IRON France and Italy. will create
typs of civilization unknown before. As yet how
ever, America may be dee med Great Britain inten-
siisd hor civilization IL as yet an emanaton from
the mother-land her virtues. when displayed
In au extreme manner, are after all very British
indeed her faults are either Of British parentage
or arc British qualities galvanized into an excessive
forcefulues+ IL will be matter OF the livellest
curiosity to British people to see whether she
pro luces within her limits form of civilization
unattained or unattainabe elsewhere. IL will be
source Of pride to thom If ) he continues TO move
along lines or in grooves, similar to those OF the
mother-land At present all american eyes seem
turned toward the great West" as the land OF
promise. The comparatively old country between
the Atlantic and the Mississippi apparently is pre-
pairing to lower its proud standard before the
rising glory of the country between the Mississippi
and the Pacific IL is on the longstretching slopes
of the Rocky Mountains, east and west, that the
American characteristics open heartedness, inven-
tlyeness resourcefunesS, enterprise, energy, self
reliance are being evnced in the utmost degree.
RICHARD TEMPLE.