The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-04-17

advantage of public intelligence. 1t is
as important. to say the least. "to pro-
tect" education as trade. Shutting out
the light is an orientalism that we can
afford to let China and Turkey have the
monopoly of.
We find ourselves in full accord with
the dignified and iudicious protest of
President Rankin, of Howard Univer-
sity, against having Charles Dickens
written down as ALREADY gone, he is 30
ignorant and so slovenly" This was
Maurice Thompson's fippant verdict,
filed in bright and generally discrimi-
mating article. in recent issue of the In
dependent. Mr.. Thompson is inclined
to overshoot the mark. DIR. Rankin
gives the testimony of the librarians of
the Congressional and Astor libraries
that Dickens still leads Scott Bulwer
and Thackeray, as he did at his death,
twenty-six years ago. He might have
supplied the same testimony from all the
great libraries. 1t is not question of
literary rank 30 much as of literary i'm
mortality which Mr.. Thompson raises;
and the truth is. the facts do not support
his opinion. Dickens may be 80 ignor-
ant and so slovenly;" some other people
would not write SO slovenly if they we're
less ignorant.
We see many references, in letters
from Washington. to the late Secretary
of Agriculture, which are tinged. as one
might say with mild hue of censure.
The curious circumstance about these
illusions is. that they all reproach Mr..
Morton for being little too faithful to
his trust, little too mindful of the vel.
fare Of the government, and little too
strenuous in his observance of the old
fashioned virtues of honesty and econ.
omy. It strikes US that it is rot good
sign in republic, when official probity
and careful scrutiny Of the matters that
come under his administration, are occa-
sions of criticism of public man, while
good fellow" who spends his employ
er's cash and wastes the public sub
stance with free hand. gets as many
praises as paragraphs from the makers
of daily history. A Secretary who saves
two millions to the government in time
of general depression and general extra
vagance deserve popular honors.
The selection of men like Col. John
Hay for the English embassy and Ex-
President Andrew D. White for the Ger
man, sustains the best traditions as to
foreign ministers. Some of the appoint
ments OF the new administration have
been severely criticised, and justly. But
these are worthy of all acceptation. We
should send abroad our best. Our Am
bassadors, Ministers and consuls are in
positions where their influence is of
much greater moment than their acts.
Once in a while they may be called on to
exercise high discretion; but all the while
they are exerting influence and giving
their country fragrance or. unhappily,
bad odor. We have been generally we'll
represented at the more important cap
itals, and the indications are that Presi-
dent Mckinley intends we shall continue
to be.
What end of enlightenment or of
civilization do the conductors of the
Forum think to subserve by employing
Henri Rochefort to scream in their col
umns? A recital characterized by So
briefly. discrimination and fullness of in
formation, even if strongly biased in
favor of Cuba, would be useful. We can
get something out of writer who has
the historic sense, though he be an ad
vocate, like Froude. But one who, un-
der the cover of narrative of events.
declaims and raves. has as little claims
on our attention as on our respect. In
the World or the Journal such meIo-
dramatic performance would be sup
ported by its environments. In the
Forum it is unpleasantly suggestive of
the down grade.
CANTON THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL.