The Irish standard., 1895-04-20
. AMERICAN HASTE.

AMERICAN HASTE.
There ie something wrong with the
class Of people who are continually find
ing fault with everything American and
pralsing everything foreign. Such people
belong to one Of three classes: either
they are OF foreign birth and have never
imbibed the spirit OF our institutions or
they are Of the number Of those who
yearly spend millions Of American gold
in travelling through Europe, thus help
ing to create q balance against MS, or
they are people whom q smattering Of
literature has led to believe that they
must be English, French or German If
they expect to be considered learned.
We do not wish to be considered as be-
longing to either of these classes when
we express what seems to be great
fault Of American life: America lives too
fast, and Americans grow too fast. This
must be apparent when we consider that
this country has done in century what
required centuries Of work in Europe.
It is true that our forefathers in estab-
fishing this government made use Of all
the accumulated kn owledge of the time.
That fact Of course explains the marvels
of a century. But the fact remains that
continent has been subjected, con-
verified from wilderness to the home Of
civilized people with all the conveniences
of the older countries. yS Il
The thought now occurs as to whether
this growth can be firm and substanti H.
The observing person is impressed with
the idea that Americans do great deal
simply for appearance. Our clothes are
made and our houses built, not with the
idea of comfort and serviceahleness, but
for appearance.
This can be attributed to the inordin-
ate desire to accumulate wealth. Those
who have money like to let their neigh
bors know about it, and those who have
not, try to make out that they have.
This race for wealth takes the place Of
everything else It is the sole occupa-
tion Of American life.
To this fact may be attributed most
that is superficial. The American has
not to be cultured all round man; he
has not time to do anything we'll. The
daily work allotted to him Is much
greater than that allotted to his English
contemporary. The American is running
at his full capacity all the time, while
the Englishman has time to indulge his
tastes in study and travel.
There is no better way Of Judging OF
nation than by its leaders. H we CON-
pare American and English statesmen
the results Of the hurryiDg struggle Of
American life will be apparent. The
English leaders are students Of marked
ability. They have ell written books on
religious philosophy or politics. But we
search in vain for any such work at the
hands Of an American leader. Glad
stone has written criticisms on religious
and political subjects. Although man
eighty six years old, he is even now en-
gagged in literary work. He has not
lived so fast as to destroy his vitality in
middle life. High positions have not
turned his mind from study and inquiry.
His powers have not been dwarfed in
chasing after wealth. Americans wonder
at man Of Gladstone's reputation and
age studying Greek and Sanscrit like a
college student. But Gladstone is not
alone. The present premier Of England,
Lord Rcseberry, is 9 constant and deep
student. He has contributed to itera,
ture the ssLife Of Pit" which is said to.
DO the best biography Of that statesman.
written. Here is one example Of an
English lord, born with wealth and rank,
promoted to the highest Office IN the gift
OF the people Of England, and yet be
has time and deems il imp rtant g con
tribute to learning, Sir Arthur Baliour,
brilliant leader % the Conservative party
of England, has found time to study
philosoph and write a book apon the
subject.
Justin Nice The leader g the
Irish National lists has written history
3of aOur Own Times which il found s..
every library ne has also writ
Ieral novels i; 81
ne whole list 81 public men il Amer
1iics oans be gone over and none viii bea
found ho hay dled nv y thine y earn-s