The age-herald., 1898-05-27
Madame Felix Faure's Bouquets
 Ta An,orinon Womon
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 The New York Journal is nothing 1T not enterprising, and surprising. Its ceaseloss energy set the most phlegmatic ana uheN- citable specimens of humanity to surmisins as to it's methods and means
 It has now the appearance of an exagger- ated poster. and its sketches in black and white have a tendency to produce serious attacks of nightmare or worse still delirum tremens, of the snakiest kind. There is nothing under the sun that does not inspire this same New York Journal with the pie torial fever from the starving reconcentra- dos in Cuba to the Earl of Kimberly.
 few days ago this energetic newspaper contained a picture of Madam Felix Faure, wife of the president of the French Re- public, and an interview with her upon the subject of American women and their pres ent attitude towards French importations, because of the sympathy of the majority of the people of France with Spain, in the existent war between that country and the United States.
 Madame Faure oraculaly remarked to the reporter that "The American women have the reputation of being the most self-re- liant and the most intelligent in the world. French writers who have travelled exten- sively in the United States, tell me that the American people are intensely patriotic, the men not more than the women.
 .'I am sure the much admired intelligence of the American women is strong enough to save them from misapprehension as to the true meaning of patriotism Strife is not patriotism, and the ladies of America are not likely to mistake one for the other. People say that women are more patriotic than men. It would be more accurate to say that they are more enthusiastic. They give themselves over to project with greater enthusiasm than men. You have many noble examples of American women to show this. not only during your civil war, but at other trying periods in Ameri- can history. In France, woman's influence has always been strong. I understand that it is similarly powerful in the United States.
 .It is therefore a question of directing that influence in order to do great good. I have never heard that the very extensive influence of American women has been misunderstood. Women usually cred ited with being interested in matrimonial affairs and I believe it is safe to say that there are more matrimonial ties between the United States and France than between the United States and any other European country. If women dislike a country they do not marry its men. The movement of which you speak, doubtless is not wide spread and cannot survive"
 Such an interview this, one with the wife of the French president, puts one to serious wondering as to the rules gov erning the payment by the New York Journal for such an ebuition of words, only words. If the Journal sends a check in accordance with Mad. Faures official position then she will be able to add new worth of Felix gown to her already well supplied wardrobe If, on the other hand, the Journal pays for ideas and not vague and nebulous expression of mean ingless phrases, the interview came cheap, very cheap. It is to be hoped that it was a bargain counter lot, "for this day only, for a repetition of such thrilling evi- dence of mental activity CD on the part of Madame Faurer would be more trying and exasperating than all the sympathy felt or expressed by the French people for Spain. Sympathy with ones enemies is never agreeable, even to the most spiritually-minded man or woman, but in- anity, that level of intellectual ipferiority comes very near being the dnpardonable sin-Madame Faure-Inay be polite, but she certainly inperiled her mental reputation -hy her recent interview.
 The action taken by American women regarding the purchase of French goods will necessarily result in great good to this country. Fortunately the manufac- tories north and east can furnish every class of material that the majority of the women of this country can afford to pur- chase. The present boycott Of french goods will teach Americans the lesson that 1t is a species of snobby affectation to patronize foreign merchants and foreign manufacturers. when those of America car supply the demands of the most fastdious purchaser.