The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-15


what one might call, were it not SO simply
and unobstrusveiy conducted and with so
complete an absence OF wind Instruments
our new American crusade, is Miss Jane
Meade Wecn, who is already widely known
as perhaps the most promising of the
younger delivers among our annals and
archives; they say OF her that she goes to
bed with the Constitution and gets up with
the Declaration OF Independence, and the
result of such pillow fellowships is an en-
thuslasm so contagious that she bids fair to
make US dream ali night-sav after salad
Of waving LawIence'S blue flag and shout
ing, Don't give up the ship" and spend
our waking hours in tribute to the names OF
Abigail Adams and Dolly Madison.
The movement began a fortnight ago in
Mrs. Cleveland's beautiful white and gold
reception-rO0n, with blush roses and yiOlets
and valley lilies TO smile on il and give il
sweetness, and tea and bouillon to lend zest
and mental Ylgor. The readiness with which
women have responded has had its own sig
ntcance; it appears that with all the talk of
foreign fadS and fashions one needs but to
look closer TO find warm-hearted patriotism.
Mrs. William c. Whitney-if it be not treason
to bring her in for an eXample-wilh all the
distractions OF her brilliant social career.
has made herself an intelligent and unusu-
ally well-read student of American history,
and her interest in the shifting phases of
American life and her desire to interest her
daughter in them is keen. Mrs. Chauncev
NJ. Depew, Mrs. Daniel Lamont, Mrs
Joseph ii. ChOate and scores of others have
ranged themselves as Americans of the
Americans. and to-day the first OF series
of ienten lectures on the DEVELOPMENT of the
republic under the CoDsttution-.acture
in the arrangements for which Mrs. Cleye-
land assisted TO the smallest detalls-has iu-
troduced the subject to the fashionable pub
lie at the Berkeley Lyceum.
Not since taking up her residence in New
York has Mrs. Cleveland identified he rself
with anything of such possible import, and
there is likely to be rally at the gently
whispered war cry OF America for American
women.
Miss WEIGH. who numbered among her
hearers this afternoon some of the best
known women i'll the city, is slender.
dark-haired woman with gracious ways aud
a face that lights up with magnetic
charm. She comes from Buffalo, where
she was for some years member of the
editorial staff OF the Buffalo Courier, as well
as generous contributor to the Harpers'
publications. 1t was while busy with her
journalistic work that suppose it would
not meet with her approval il | were to
say mission came upon her, but American
history possessed itself of her-seiZed upon
her energies. She became an earnest and
philosophic student of our national life,
and with her study there woke desire
growing into purpose, to bring other
women to a fuller appreciation OF what
seemed to her the most important chapter in
the history of humanity.
She began her advocacy Of the cult of
AmerlcaniSm with talks ON American his
tory held in her own parlors in Buffalo
Her vivid word paintings won for her a
hearing on the Chautauqua lecture plat
form. In the OgOntZ School, which is per-
haps the most fashionable private school in
the country, she has impaired to the pupils
against the days they so into society, much
Of her own loyal zeal In Chicago, while
giving series of brilliant and powerful
lectures, she yet found simple words in
which to tell oil love of country to the tots
in n kindergarten attended by the children
of Mrs. Henry b. Stone. Since coming to
New York by Mrs. Cleyelands invitation,
she has given talks in the private school at
Dobbs Ferry, attended by the little daugh-
Ter of Viee-Fresident Morton.
" don't want To appear III the light of q
revolutiOnist," said she, when BETRAYED
symptoms of an indiscreet desire to lap
hands, but only, before Anglomana gets a
firmer root, to open women's eyes more
widely to the fact that this, seriously and
without bravado, is the greatest country in
the world. Foreigners See il and wonder ut
our lack of realization.
1--WE are in danger of being denational-
lied from above and from below. We used
to get the bulk Of our Immigrants from a
self-governing stock, they were Teutous
now we are getting Hungarians, Poles,
Italians. who have no comprehension of the
spirit of our institutions, but who are
mighty power In our cities.
II wouldn't shut the gates against them,
but how shall we aSsimilate them il we
stand aloof and let ourselves be donation
allied from above, II we take no pains to
foster the spirit of Americanisni 2"
what is that spirit?''
"Americanism essentially Is the response
billty of the individual for the Govern
ment 1t is the government of the people.
for the people and by the people. Many
men shirk this responsibility. bnt Pro.
Il al RrVpp M ntl
owes so much TO its women, and it win owe
them yet more II once they fully recognize
the power they might exert In keeping the
breath of life in the old faith in American
hopes, aspirations and ideals
"You do not think that faith is droop-
ing?n o..
to foreigners to write and to appreciate our
history. Think of the candid, critical an d
pbiosophic estimate in Bryce's epocb-
making volumes, though on our side, to be
sure, John Fiske Is strong name.''
when was the national spirit strongest
in us?"
IF you mean when did we discuss our
institutions most broadly and feel the III ost
jealous and personal interest in them, in the
formative period after the Revolution"
And for what reason have we become
less American Pr
81 do not say that we have; only speak
of tendency. Our little boys go trutting
about in sailor suits with the names Of
Queen Victoria's war-ships lettered on them.
Our women lind sentiment in European
ruins, of stone and of flesh and blood, and
one hears that there is no perspective in
American history.
'.If you look at it properly there is glo-
rions perspective, for we are tile result of
all that has been, the finest fruit of evo-
ution.
The Europeans. whom we admire.
always admire that in us which is inherent
ana distinctive, not copied. Emerson says
gt,it at 10 do Nd A