Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-18


In connection with the death OF Matthew Ar
mold, occurring while the controversy caused BY
his recent visit to America stll In progress Is
likely TO come up for discussion the general ques-
ton OF how distinguished visitors from abroad
ought TO b treated. what Is the essence OF hos
pitality? IL It to surround the guest with just
what he has had at home, as nearly as that is
praetieablef Orisit toinvte him to share our mode
OF life and let him study IL In his own waye AS q
rule we have little difieaty In entertaining per-
sons OF other nhtionalties than the English, be-
cause they adapt themselves TO our ways while
they are with us, instead of carrying their own
countries around with them on their backs Mr.
Arnoi1s visit In 1883 was typical Englishman's
experience. He "came out to the states, you
know, In very much the same spirit that he would
have visited Australia, or Bermuda, or one
OF the Fill Islands, where the permanence
OF civilization was viewed as dependent
wholly on an English protectorate. Unin-
tentionally, perhaps, by dozens OF acts and
azores Of words he wounded the sensitiveness and
self appreciation OF bis entertainers and ignored
with an appearance OF superiority, the social AMI
business customs OF the country. The American
people expressed their opinion Of him to his face
as frankly as he expressed his opinion Of them.
But what he called candor and honesty in himself
he charged in them to brutal Philistinism. II
Is not wonderful that he enjoyed himself but
mind somewhat soured against American
people and institutions, and his experience
here, with its sequel, brings around again
the question whether we are right In our manner
or treating our British cousin when he visits us
Ought We tn continue our Americanisni for his
tenefit as student OF ethnology and social ethics
or Anglicize our manners and customs for season
In order that he may feel thoroughly at home and
speak well OF Us In hts books. Seme Americans
ar rfner he
with IT'S suggested happy effects by the fear that
their best EFFORTS may result only in a mortlfying
failure to win the coveted approval and the
chances are that, In spite OF all temptations, we
shall conclude 20 remain Americans extracting
what comfort we can, as an Offset to criticism
from the occasional complimentary expressions OF
seme English dipiomatist, like Mr.. Chamberlain.
Who has visited rs and succeeded IN his mission
The prompt seton or Secretary Fairchild I'm
following the House resolution OF Monday with a
call for bonds on Tuesday raises an interesting
question ss 70 the real significance Of the vote OF
the House. Both the Secretary and the President
were known last summer to be In favor OF such a
disposal OF the Treasury surplus as Is
contemplated I'm the bond cali. but hest
tated because there was doubt In the minds
OF some persons as 10 the authority which the law
n 10 stood, conferred upon the Secretary Their
desire was TO have the present Congress- Strengthen
out the existing statutes by an amendments or in
terpret them by a mandatory resolution; but
when that was attempted the silver men and the
Rreenbackers loaded down the proposed enact
ment with efasfses which would have compelled
the President, IN the interest Of consistency, TO
veto ft. Resort was therefore had BY the friends
OF the administration 10 the novel device OF
publishing by resolution the sense OF the House a.
to the meaning Of the law. What possible COM
Tort the Secretary could find In such measure ft
IL hard TO see. He IS an accomplished lawyer him.
self, and ft Is understood that both he and the
President took the same view OF the meaning OF
The law. OF what value, then, TO them was ju
dicial opinion from a body which has no Judi
cial fuuctions2 The term Of the present
House expires In less than eleven months.
and no opinion which IL may express
can prevent IT'S successor from bringing
Ia articles OF Impeachment against the secretary
n IL shall be dissatisfied with his conduct In the
pending exigency, and he shall not in the mean
time have passed out OF Office So that Mr. Fair
child's situation Is really no better and no worse
than Sc Was on saturday OF last week. when no
was anxious 10 make extensive bond purchases
but was not willing TO take the responsibility ON
his Individual shoulders.