The record-union., 1897-02-19
MAX NORDAU AND AM ERICA.

| MAN NORDAU AND AMERICA.
DR., Max Nordau has broken loose
again, and after his effusion upon
women, has taken a breathing spell and
now comes to the front as a prophet. He
announces that Cuba will tear herself
away from Spain, and then he turns his
attention to American matters.
| AS we are a nation of emigrants and
the descendants of emigrants from Eu
rope he looks upon American feeling
against Europeans not at all surprising.
Our idea, says the German philosopher,
is to isolate ourselves from Europe, and
whenever we have an opportunity. AS
an evidence of our strong feeling he cites
| the Monroe dOctrine under which he
thinks we will eventually crowd Europe
off this hemisphere entirely, He says:
| The conclusion is Irresistible that
| while deep and dark dusk is drawing
over Europe the golden sun is just scat
tering its lustrous rays on the American
continent. Discoveries, inven-
tions and progress of all kinds emanate
from America, and Europe will not only
! be unable to keep up the pace with its
American rival but it will experience
| a good deal of trouble to follow at a dis
| tance. America will make long and
rapid strides in commerce, art and sci
ence, While Europe Will ponder the ere
| alton of new ranks for military officers
and titles for it's chamberlains and other
Ifunctionaries.
| This is very comforting to our self
consciousness, and very eNalting to our
pride, to be sure, but Americans will not
be carried off their feet by this fiattery
nor indulge the thought that we are
going to swallow the hemisphere. We
cannot conceive Of the idea of crowding
Europe off the hemisphere. That is i'm
probable, and we must beg leave to dis
sent from Nordau's generous forecast of
our future greatness in that respect.
| That we may absorb this continent is
not a vain thought. Such a thing as
possibility shows some distinguishing
projections already. We are drawing
stricter lines concerning immigration,
are getting into closer touch with our
! Canadian and our Mexican neighbors,
and We are becoming a more exclusive
and assertive people. 1t is therefore
| barely possible that in the roll of an
other century into the unrecoverable
past there may be a great confederation
ipf Of n, cti al
union. There may be a group of repub
| lies covering the entire continent if not
one republic.
| 1t is very true that the sentiment en-
| bodied in the Monroe doctrine is ex-
Ipanding and is growing stronger among
us. 1t is true that the American people
are unconcealed in their dislike of
things European, and that we cannot
outside of Government systems give any
| better reason for our distaste than pre-
judice. The reason why we do not know
but we do know that we prefer when
choosing hour comes round to have
things not European.
We do not think, however, as Max
Nordau charges, that this sentiment is
anything more than one of present pre-
| judice and taste, nor do we think that
it is a growing or lasting dislike or that
/ it is one Of animosity to Europeans. On
! the contrary we are inclined to believe
that there is distinct growth of friendh-
ness. that we are getting closer to all
men as human beings with common pur-
poses, hopes and ambitions.
Really Americans do not entertain
hostile feelings toward Europeans as
such, however much they may dislike
their forms of Government and dissent
from their policies as nations. In as
serting. therefore, that implacable, in
imical feeling against Europeans is
dominant in this country. we must take
issue with DIR. Nordau. on the contrary
we believe that the evidences of growth
Of good feeling for all worthy peoples is
distinctly noticeable among Americans.
and that good will is our tendency
rather than ill-feeling.
If never before this round globe had