The record-union., 1897-02-07
OUR PREJUDICES AGAINST ENG
LAND.

No matter how intensely American
our people may be, they cannot afford
in justice to their character as lovers
Of fair play to permit their prejudices
to run to fadism in the matter of an
tagonism to England. 1t may be very
unpopular to say it, but it nevertheless
is the truth. that very largely the
American people have grown into the
habit of planting themselves on the side
opposite to English opinion, and to
things English. In other words, too
many of us have come to think it to be
always the proper thing to tip-tilt the
nose when England is mentioned.
The Record Union comedies first
place over it to no one in its American
ism, its love Of country, and of that
country's institutions. It has no larger
degree of admiration for things English
than the matter in hand deserves stand
ing upon its own merits. But neither is
ii given to condemnation Of anything
simply because it is English in thought,
and hold fast to that which is good,
ought to be the motto of a people as
free and broad-minded as the Ameri-
cans claim to be. But are we broad
minded when we condemn because of
the source of the subject or thing?
Have we fallen into such a habit as the
question implies? These are things
that in simply justice to ourselves we
should consider.
Thirty years ago Mr.. Samuel Smith,
member Of the English Parliament
visited this country. Last year he made
us another visit, and was with us
during the Presidential campaign.
There lies before us a small pamphlet
in which Mr.. Smith records his impress
sions OF the United States and its peo-
pie. It is a dispassionate statement of
the views of an educated Englishman.
He makes no concealment Of the fact
thatVhe sympathized with the Republi-
can party in the campaign, and gives
hiSSreasons therefor. He uses plain
language and INDUCES in no vitupera-
ton, though he does not hesitate to ex-
press his views freely concerning the
dangerous tendency Of certain political
doctrines, the noticeable drift of a class
toward a radical socialistic port, and
the entrance into our system of the an
archical wedge.
When, however, 1t comes TO the Re
publican doctrine of protection, Mr..
Smith is just as strong in condemnation
of the party as he was in expression OF
sympathy for it in its battle against
disintegratng Influences He is very
frank and outspokep about the enor-
nous input Of foreigners into the Unit
ed States and dwells with calmness up
on the possible overwhelming of the old
American stock descended from Col
onial times and stin controlling, for
tunately) in the sweep of the foreign
tide from all quarters of the globe
He pays a high tribute TO our COM
mon school system, finding it TO be the
greatest unifying influence, declaring
'the splendid system" to be the nur-
sery OF the nation" The most inspiring
sight in America. he adds. is "the con-
duct of the public school" Trusts and
syndicates as a menace to the nation
he considers at length, and likewise the
vulgar ostentation in and about our
great hotels and cities that he fears is
sapping the simplicity of republican
life and manners.
The misuse OF gigantic fortunes is
treated of. and then he considers the
hugeness of the country: the prodigious
energy of our people: the engrosSing
occupation Of commerce.; the dollar
standard Of measurement we have set
up for success in life; the absence OF
conventionality among the women OF
America, and says that we have less of
conventional and insincere judgments
in society than has England or any ma
ton OF Europe. His predominant feel
ing is one of hopefulness for The Great