The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-05
roHxras VISITORS AND cRrrlcs

FORKIGS yfHITOES AND CRITICS.
When one visits a foreign country,
either as an invited guest or as an in
dependent observer Of its customs, laws
ard institutions. certain decencies and
prophecies ought to be observed. 1t In
evidently improper to Indignantly and
brutally attack the manners and habits
of community where one is an in
vited recipient Of fayors, as much 50 as
Il would be cut of place In private life
to critfcise extensively the domestic ar
engagements OF a host. 1t has become
habit for Engllsifmen. alleged reform
ers. labor leaders. etc, 20 visit the
United States. either with or without
invitation. and on returning to their
own country devote their valuable
Tins and talents TO deriding our laws,
social customs and civic institutions.
The American people are not thin
skinned: they are proverbially tolerant
and not quick to take offense But
they have sense of the eternal fitness
OF things and due amount OF self
respect. 1t il not very long ago that
faanous-perhaps notorious Is a better
word-Engiish editor visited this coun-
try. He was made the recipient OF pri-
vate and civic courtesies and hospital
ties. notably In the city OF Chicago
On his return TO England he repaid the
kindness and welcome extended him by
publishing screed which pictured
that progressive city and its OPEN
hearted. generous. innpulsive people as
a revised edition OF sheol. q veritable
abode OF the damned
More recently Mr.. John Burns. NJ. p,
professional labor leader and in some
respects a very able man, has visited
this country. He still remains Since
his arrival he has been most free with
caustic commentaries upon the consti-
Hutlon. laws and customs OF our peo-
pie. 1t may be that this sort Of thing is
acceptable TO the societies at whose in
vftation they crossed the Atlantic:
they may enjoy the ridlcule. harsh criti-
clsm and fault finiing with which his
speeches have been interiarded; they
may perhaps think ise has fun license
10 why everything American, and
condemn, in not too well chosen Ian
guage. all that il eispieaslng to his
alien IDEAS ana wishes. But the aver
age American prefers to take his nscsii-
cine from the family physician. lie Ger
tainly does not relish compulsory treat
nrent from a stranger. Were n prou,i-
nent labor leader. say Mr.. Gonrpers, or
the newly elected president Of the
American Labor Federation. 10 visit
England and Indulge in the sort Of talk
that Burns has been SO free with in
this country he would be treated with
sSSlnt courtesy. and In all probability
be politely requested to refrain or .take
a walk" 1t would. moreover, serve
him right.
Whatever criticisms or refarrratorv
measures 0ss English legislator has TO
cffsF tor the consideration or those To
whom he - accredited, he is yvuperly
authorized 10 make. Ent neither he
Dor any either alien critic has license TO
Willy. ridieaie or uniustiy fnisreyresers
the people az a country to whlch he IA
n mere visitor. with whose habits.
nsc<ses az thssslg,st and methods OF civic
ard socsai conduct ne Is but srSutsIv
coavefsant. II IS supreme arrogance
ofszxaxanelfsa coneess-not 20 mention
siSsproprlety--for any transient visitor
to assume authority or capacity to in
siraet the American people In the con-
dsles Of their sscsssessse affairs. i, onph,
70 b. and is resented by all sels.resnect-
Ing citizens,