St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-10-21
A SHALEO D.GFAMMR.

DR.. Peters, tile German explorer of
Africa, has recently visited the Amer
lean continent, and Oh his return fol- &
lowed the example set by many of his
predecessors by endeavoring to defame
the people OF this country. whose hos
pitality he enjoyed. lie says that he
has been enjoying greatly what he has
seen in America. lie adds. however.
Still, it is not Europe. America keeps
in culture and civilization about the
middle between Africa and Europe"
We are not informed as to what class
of society DR.. Peters moved in during
his soJourn here Perhaps he was not
aware OF the fact that there are here, as
elsewh ere in the world, various strata,
ranging from the most deDaSed to the
most rehned-from the ignorant and un-
lettered foreigner who erSt hibernated
among the laZzarOni of Naples, or the
equally debased population of Berlin's
pauper classes, to the highly bred and
educated litterateur and philosopher, or
the elegant and cultivated leaders of
polite society. 1t may have been DIR.
Peters fate to become acquainted only
with men and women of inferior breed
ing and culture. If so, it was his own
fault, for ne might have had the oppor-
tunity, provided he himself were worthy,
to mingle i'll circles no whit lacking in
those graceS and accomplishments,
those mental gifts and requirements
that combine to round out the perfect
man and woman in every part of the
world.
Dickens and Ehackeray both rldiculed
American civilization on their return
to England. Each visited this country,
however, at an early stage Of its devel
opment, and much of their criticism
was just. Both lived to repent their
words and to make atonement, as far
as lay in their power, for the errors of
their youth, and i'll the maturity of
their powers bestowed upon America
and Americans the highest tributes of
their genius. Macaulay, for the greater
part of his life a cordial batter If every
thing American, lived to pronounce a
glowing eulogy upon the eruditiOn of
our men of science, the thoroughneSS of
research and mastery grasp of our his
tOrianS, and the brilliant diplomacy of
our public men. Humboldt, the great
est of German naturaliSts, did not
hesitate to accord to Americans high
praise for their knowledge in the
domain of science. The judicial de-
cisonS of AmericanS-MarShail, Jay,
Story, fancy and ChaSe-are quoted in
all the courts in ChriStendom as high
authority While American scientists
have pointed cut new paths of inquiry
and led the world in research, Ameri-
can invention has revOlutloniZed all
industry, American essayistS and poets
have won fame in all parts of the earth.
and in death have found a resting
place among the worlds greatest dead
in Westminster abbey.
The sneers of foreigners at America
are usually the manifestations of igno-
rance or personal pique in small minds.
No man or woman from abroad OF
worthy character and good mental en-
dowments has ever failed of apprecia-
ton or courteous treatment. Some may
have not been lioniZed as they thought
they deserved, for our own people are
quick to discern impoSture and to pene-
trate the outward guise OF pretenslon
| that often conceals the shallow mind,
and have no patience with shams. True
worth, however, never went a-begging
| in the United States. The mental gifts
| of foreigners are as quickly recognized
and as generously rewarded here as
elsewhere. Indeed, if we have any
| fault, it is in the direction OF too free
| acknowledgment of the merits of others.
which sometimes conveys suspicion
of lack of thoroughness and discernment
on our part.
| DIR. Peters shows himself, by his ILL
! natured slurs upon the people by whom
he has so recently been entertained. as
lacking in those mental endowments,
! instincts and characteristics that be-
token gentleman in Germany as well
! as in all other countries in the civilized
world. He has manifestly been con-
Illuminated by his associations in savage
| Africa to such an extent that he can
neither discern good breeding or cour-
tesy when he sees it, nor be guided by
| such qualities in his own conduct. He
should take up his residence in America
! and endeavOr to become civilized.