New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-11
NOTES FROM LONDON.
PRESIDENT IIARRISONS VIEWS-MR. RUD-
YARD KIPLINGS STEADY STARE-THE AID
vERTISER. HIS CHAMPION AND HIS
CRITIC-SHAKESPEARE AND TENNYSON.
London, November 30.

amended on the transmission by cable OF the
Intelligence that President Harrisons views on
the tariff have not been changed by the result OF
the election. Why should they be? Or why
should it be thought necessary TO affirm that
they have rot been, or TO impart that interesting
information 10 the readers OF English newspapers
Yet admit that it is interesting. In the presence
Of a great political CONFUSION, one Is glad to
hear that there are still men who keep their
feet, aud their heads. II is best of all TO hear
it of the man against whom, more than against
any other individual these untamed forces have
been let loose
Most of us knew before that President HARRISON
had some stability of character. and had con-
victions. conviction is state of mind founded
upon fact upon reason. upon reflection whether
others share il or not-what has that TO 40 WIN
the considered opinion which man forms for
himself by the best use of his own Judgment
Il does not require ratification BY the baot-DoN,
and is not a thing to be surrendered TO hostile
majority II it is it is not conviction, nor
even an opinion.
There is a notion in this country that De
mocracy demands expects from men IN puoi'
life q servile conformity 10 its own wishes we
are told that of America-told 1t often. MT
Bryce In "The American Commonwealth mas
laid down propositions broad enough 10
imply more, perhaps, than he means, ana GER
tainly more than any wellwishcr to Democracy
could desire to be true PnDhc OPINION says
Mr. Bryce Stands out. in the United States, as
the great source Of power. the master OF servants
who tremble before it," Well. we see the chief
servant of all not much disposed to tremble
There is. Of course. sense in which Mr.. Bryces
statement is accurate. Public opinion Is the
source of power subject TO such modification ana
manipulaton as the boss is able to apply 10 IL.
The peoplc are entitled to have their own way
subject, however, not merely nor mainly TO the
boss but to such checks and limitations as they
themselves have wisely made part OF the luhua-
mental law of the land. They are ehttieu 10
give legal effect to the opinion, or even 10 'ie
caprice of the maiority for the time being lhey
are not entitled TO exact conformity In opium
from others, and / believe they would DC 'he
fret TO despise President Harrison If lie had
ANNOUNCED that because he found his views on
the tariff were not shared by certain NUMBER
Of his fellow citizens, he had changed them
Our friend and censor, Mr. Rudyard Kipling,
appears once more in his favoritc part. 1t would
be uncracious doubt, all things considered, that
he is our friend. 1t would be idle to deny that
he is a candid frcnd-vcry candid need not,
or had hest not quote much from his two columns
In this mornings Times 1t is said that the
in America | do not know whether they aee
or not But I will quote sentence, which is
all want for the moment. 1t seems that Mr.
Kiplinc has become aware of the dislike with
which Americans have read some of his lampoons
on America lie seems almost sensitive TO inc
criticism which has 5ciallcn his own criticism;
and he expresses his knowledge and his susceptl
bty in this characteristic sentence
"A foreigner can do little good by telling OF
these things; for the same lean dry blood that
breeds the fever of unrest breeds also the savage
rarochiai pride that sQueals under steady stare
or pointed finger
Mr. Kiplng's view is that OF the COOK VINO
found the cells unreasonable because they III"
not seem TO like being cooked alive, and klapped
them O. the coXcombs with stick" Mr.. Kip
lng's stick is a thick one, and he lays about HIM
with energy There is, however, danger IN
such proceedings of which he takes no heed
lie is in danger of becoming heavy-handcd. lie
chiles us as a race, Justly enough in some re-
spects for having too many nerves. 1t Is Il
question whether there be not ,OcatiOns In life
for the practice of which too many nerves are
better than none at all II one has susceptible
ties Of ones own one may recognize the existence
of them in Others, and the recognition may bcget
consideration.
And even in that matter Of the use Of words on
which so much of Mr.. Kiplings present celebrity
rests certain delicacy Of perception and delicacy
of touch are helpful Not to usc two words
where one has done the work, not always to seek
for the most emphatic word not to pile rhetorical
Pclion upon rhetorical Ossa, not TO disdain re-
nose nor TO underrate the value of restraint,
whether in Lcton or in didactics,-thesc are
few rudimcntary suggestions on when, Us ti'cr
origin is not American but Greek this promising
,,.,it, p,iolf
have been practised by great writers for good
deal more than two thousand years; very long
time before the discovery of the Continent which,
In 30 many respects has now the misfortune 10
no so Obj cctionahlc TO Mr.. Rudyard kipline.
II rccur TO the advertiser il shall be briefly,
and because he has suddenly become amusing
Ic il amusing not in his capacry as advertiser
a., N his new capacity a. correspondent to The
Tia.s~ Stung hy the criticisms OF MIR. Wa
fethouse t1d SIR Richmond. he rnshed into PRINT.
IL ~ no y " thing ior hnp 10 rush INTO print III
A. whnt u always dong But he has written
heretofore andrr restrictions. Having TO pay Tor
each word he has weighed his words or counted
them wh'n they cost him nothing he THINKS
hs cannot ., too many. and that 1t matters lit
tx what they are.
II, replies 10 the criticisms on vulgar and I'M
pudent advertising a. u they were criticisms On
...xcrtIeng HAT 10 an old trek Use ana
sbr.e are not the sane thing aud the advertiser
vba maser na,eliy hi study and his boast, ought
Go IA. able 20 iivpg; q new defence. lie has OIL
tered more thus far. aud his indignation with the
esitis IL. In ;gnS", more divcitng than defensive
One of tha VETS, offenders protests against legls-
,st,ys tesissiiss o. she ground that "a high grade
Of art, printing ald composition IS now generally
Used, ana that legislation for the exception -
seldom advisable general proposition Is
dangerous thing IN 'hc hands Of u man not used
10 H. There IT, ~ lsc', m oil civilized countries
a good ,lssl Of isg iaiion for the exception;
ssssasi criminals. ief Nmp"
IL ~ nsofc lntersssi' 20 note that The iimcs'
Ia susrs...sss ap. - rathcr took SIDES
tHl.. .,l.,,ns. of IL 1ratl-