Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-06
THE MEN OF AMERICA
Ella Wheeler Wilcox Defends Them
Against Foreign Insult.
THREE GUESTS WHO ANGERED HER
She Would Greatly Enjoy Slapping One
CallOW English Youth.
HOSTESsES ARE GREATLY TO BLAME.
WRITTEN FOR THE D1sPATcH.I

WRITTEN FOR THE D1sPATcH.I
During the recent social season I have
met in the parlors of cultivated American
gentlemen three foreigners who have
aroused in me all the war-like spirit which
my ancestors must have telt during the
Revolution. have, in meeting and talk
ing with these three foreigners felt strong
desire to see them borne away in the talons
of the American Eagle, 10 make food for his
young; or quietly folded away in the Stars
and Stripes and left in the branches of
some lone tree upon the plains for yultures
to gnaw. In case either of these methods
were not practicable or successful, would
have been willing to see the American
: pugilist, John Sullivan, dispose of the
| foreigners to the best of his professional
ability. and incapacitate them from further
insolence and exhibitions of bad breeding.
One of these persons was an Englishwom-
an, one an Englishman, and the third
Cuban. These three people, who are visit
| ing New York, and who have been kindly
treated, entertained, and feasted in the
homes of American men Of culture and re-
| finement, have each one separately expressed
themselves on several occasions within my
hearing in manner most insulting to their
hosts.
Like American ladies very much indeed,
but am disappointedin in American men. They
are not equal to the ladies-oh dear, nol'' I
heard the Englishwoman say in the pres
ence OF dozen American wives of American
men.
HOW THE LADIES RECEIVED IT.
seemed to imagine that Madam John Bull
had been compl1menting them highly. One
or two flushed with indignation, and realized
that their husbands had been insulted, but
one only dared express herself to that effect.
A young, exceedingly ill-favored and poor
specimen of an Englishman, who had been
IA days in New York, was Introduced to me
by his host, one of the most cultivated and
agreeable men in New York. Before the
host had left us this callow youth fastened
to tell me that she thought New York ladies
really quite charming-but aw, deahl your
men, you know, are awfully behind ours
nowhere neah the equal of the ladies-don't
like the American men at all.
"I fear you have been unfortunate in the
class of men you have met" suggested.
"Ob, no-have met the best you have in
New York, but not one I liked"
You must suffer from poor taste, then,"I
replied, feeling desire to slap his weazened
face and send him home to his governess for
better training.
"No, my taste is all right, think" he
continued, "snd really they are awfully
disappointing, the American men. Don't
you think so?"
Gas 1 married an American, it ought to
indicate to you that think them charm
ing" 1 replied. "And to be frank with
you, since you invite frankness, / have
never seen foreign man who, in my most
romantic or susceptible days, could have
done more than amuse me.
FOREIGNERS MAKE FAIR PETS.
'T cannot imagine loving any man but an
American. A foreigner does very we'll to
pick up lady's fan or kill time for her,
like pet parrot, by repeating his little
stereotyped compliments, but the thorough,
true, sensible American girl gives her heart
to an American lover. Those who give
them TO foreigners usually live to regret it.
A foreign husband is an expensive luxury,
you know, for an American lady"
1 left the sapling without an apology, but
ten minutes later 1 heard him repeating the
identical remarks he had made to me to a
bevy of ladies, one of whom was the
daughter of his host.
The next week 1 heard of him in the hat
and cloak room at a crush reception given
in honor of young society debutante. As
is frequently the case in overcrowded re-
ceptions, there was more or less difficulty
in regard to finding hats and great coats,
The hundreds of American gentlemen
present bore their discontinue, incon-
venience and occasional losses with good
natured composure, but high above the hum
OF the reception rose the shrill accents of
the young Englishman. 81 want nv hat
say want my hat-I never saw such
beastly wav of doing things-waiter, why
don't you find my hat?"
Uncertain of his success in winning an
American heiress, suppose the poor fellow
was concerned in regard to the purchase of
another tile. He was the subject of general
amused disgust among all the American
gentlemen in the hat room. Yet few even
ings later L heard him Saving his little
piece" regarding the inferiority of Ameri-
can men to another hostess.
1 am quite as indignant toward the
hostesses who permit these remarks to pass
unrebuked as L am to the perpetrator of
them. How is it that an American wife or
daughter can accept a compliment to herself
which reflects upon her husband or father?
THIS WAS AN AMERICAN LADY.
81 hear you are greatly your husbands
superior" said q wOuld-be admirer-an
Englishman-one day to lady upon whom
he was calling for the first time.
Indeed? well, you have been misin-
formed. And will you kindly and quickly
place yourseIf outside the door of my hus-
bands house-before call servant to put
you out?" was the lsdy's unexpected reply.
s'I cannot remain in the presence of anyone
who speaks disrespectfully of my husband"
The man went. The men whose names
we bear-the men whose hands or brains toll
for us, the men who would give their hearts,
blood to defend our honor, surely these are
the men to whom we owe respect and
allegiance, and we should defend them in
return from the slurs OF foreign invaders of
our social and domestic circles.
have heard remarks such as / have
alluded to made by foreign visitors on
previous occasions for several years past.
md l have felt my anger and disgust
Iteadily on the increase until it has reached
1oiling-over point / have even heard
American women quoting and accenting
hese remarks; one OF these ladies has been
vice married-once to an American who
reated her with respect and undying
Ifection, once to a foreigner who had
Ibused, misused and irretrievably wronged
Ter.
The toughest American boor would know
,etter, it seems to me, than to make uncom-
,limentary comments in the hosts parlor in
tearing Of his wife and daughter If this
5 foreign politeness and culture, give me
American boorishnessl
ELLA WHEELER WILCOX.
He Wants IL Known.
Mr.. J. II. Straub, welI-known German
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