New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-30
ANOTHER INDICTMENT OF AMERICA


The Intelligent Foreigner is a constant de-
light. II is immatenal to which department
of misinfomation concerning this country he
contributes since he touches nothing trans
atlantic which he does not freSco. In the art
of rising superior to facts he is the equal OF
Jules Verne. while he lends to his impressions
Of the United States seriousness which Verne
lacks. Our age teens with writer's of fiction,
but none of them have yet succeeded in dslodg-
ing The Intelligent Foreigner from the place
he has long held in the hearts of those who
take to what is really amusing.
The latest appearance of The Intelligent For
eigner is in the September number of "The
Forum" Her theme-for this time the
/. f. is u woman-not being a
geographical one, she does not supplement
Baedexer, as one of her predecessors did, with
a solid chunk of wisdom concerning the cotton
fields of Massachusetts. Not finding it to her
purpose to touch upon politics. she is relieved
from the necessity of explaining to her readers
that Grover Cleveland is the recognized leader
Of the prOtectionists or that Tammany Hall
is the main reliance OF the Prohibition party
But it is clear that if she had addressed herself
TO these points she would have done them JUS
tice-the justice Of The Intelligent Foreigner
We may infer as much from the way she re-
ports upon the United States regarding it from
the point of view of her chosen subject. 1t is
learned from her that dominant characteristic
of the American people is a love for nOtoriety
not fame, but just vulgar notoriety. "An
American" we are told, expects to receive
smiling thanks from his friend for publishing
r. Ill.
man would fear he might be cut" Then
again, all Of VS. Amercans-such is our passion
for pubicity-dOte upon the interviewer.
Listen to our veraciouS cbronicler on this point ::
That anybody. young Old male or female, should
entertain an objection 10 being Interviewed and
described at length TO height, weight. complexion.
features dress voice, manners and habits. for the
benefit OF the world large, that lie or she should
shrink from seeing bis her parents. husband, wife,
brother sister, son daughter exposed In a similar
plllory is idea which seems TO to the
contemporary American mind. on the contrary. an
impression obviously prevails that draw mans
portrait IN pen and ink even II II be carcature. Is a
tribute OF respect which ought 10 be accepted with
gratitude.
There are other counts in this indictment
Of equal value. Every chit Of a girl hailing
from the States is not backward enough in
coming forward to address distinguished men,
while an Engshman shyly approaches the
great Of the earth. 1--WE in England interest
ourselves in people oftenest for the sake Of the
movement in which they are concerned, whereas
Americans take interest in movements for the
sake Of the people concerned in them" And
so on through several pages.
1t will be observed that The Intelligent For
| eigner as usual, comes out strong as hasty
! generazer as reasOner who mistakes the
exception for the rule. There are Americans
and Americans just as there are Englishmen
and Engshmen, but there is no warrant foi
! saying that Americans a a whole are any fond
( cr # notoiety than EngIishmen a. whole
Small souls, who burn for publicity and who
are not particular about the sort abound all
over. A good many of our people undoubtedly
enjoy being interviewed yes, and good many
Of our British brethren delight to figure in