The herald., 1898-06-15
EUROPEAN PEOPLE, THEIR
ATTITUDE TOWARD US


So large has the immigration been for the
last fifty years or more from the European
countries that, leaving Russia out, there
Is scarcely a community to be found In any
nation in Europe which has not contributed
more or less to this outflow. Contributed,
not its scum, as some think. but some Of Its
brainiest and strongest members, who hated
despotism and loved liberty and therefore
sought that Mecca Of al liberty-lovirg peo-
ple-America. If this was not a fact
America would not today be the grand
and noble nation which 1t is. 1t is, of course
true that that mighty stream has carried
and deposited some filth on the shores OF
America. 1t could not be otherwise, but
the filth has comparatively been small to
the purer and strengthening element. Those
people have one and all sent messages home,
expressing their joy for the liberty and free
dom they had gained. Thus from one end
Of Europe to the other America Is known
and locked upon as the blessed land of free
dom, especially by the common people.
When say the common people, mean the
tirers of the soil, the workers everywhere;
the producers and the strength Of the ma
ton. But there are people in all walks OF
life In Europe. who hate despotisns and
who have added to the stream Of immigra-
ton. Many man and woman there are to-
day who sigh and mourn because for some
reason or other they have not been able
to get away. have in mind certain gen.
tleman who occupied high governmental
position, but who has outgrown the mar
row-mindedness of his associates, and who
would give most anything to become an
American citizen, but fate has not allowed
this so far. There are no doubt thousands
Of similar cases.
1t may seem like over-stating matters
but 1t would not be far off the mark to as
sert that II would go hard with any Eu-
ropean nation to raise an army Of volun-
teers to fight the United States. 1t would
be mighty small. AS 1t is. people can't help
themselves, their lives belong to their gov
eminent
have seen young men on the eve of their
departure for this country singing and re-
joicing because they were about to set sail
for the blessed land Of freedom, and in
some cases escape the three years Of
compulsory service in the army of their
own country. Inconsistencies causes many
to return to the mother country but they
never stay very long. They generally be-
como loyal American citizens and stand.
ready to defend her even against their own
country if need be.
Some time ago, while travelling in the
| northern states, I attended a gathering of
some foreigners. They had the American
and their own national flag planted side by
side. Observing an individual who
seemed to be lost In contemplation of the
two different flags, I approached him and
asked which he liked the best.
He said: II like the flag Of my native
country, but like that best" pointing to
the American.
That France as a republic has not shown
any friendliness towards the United States
in her present struggle with Spain Is no
doubt due to the fact that Spain is in heavy
Indebtedness to her. But we can be assured
that her common people do not sympathize
with Spain, II they are rightly informed.
Have they not fought for freedom, against
despotism and tyranny, nay, even to the
extent of letting their blood flow in
streams? They love freedom to the very
core of their hearts, and rejoice for every
| blow that is struck for liberty. Their ideal
Is far higher than money.
| But their is another class whose ideal Is
ease. luxury and idleness; they pine for the
days to return when they can place des-
pot on a throne through whom they can
starve and rob the people. Every blow
against despotsm Is blow against them.
And while the farmer is busy in his field
and the mechanic with his tools, they are
doubtless busy manufacturing lies and
disappearing the United States and its
doings to the liberty-loving people.
We must remember that journalism in
Europe has nowhere reached such a high
standard as 1t has here in America. And it
is almost impossible for the people, espe-
cally In the interior to get correct news of
distant nation. like the United States.