The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-26


Some one has very aptly said that
while Kiplings most serious British
message is a recall to humility, his
Auessage to America Is q trumpet blast
to q duty peculiarly fascinating TO
strong men and nations. 1t IL a. II
the work of one were done and Of the
sther just beginning.
The "Recessionaf' Is such q recall
20 humility as an inspired prophet Of
old might have uttered. and, following
~ II did the display OF pomp and pride
.-ths worid-aweing material power Of
the mighty British unprecedented be-
tore the eyes Of all nations on the occa-
sion Of the queens jubilee. 1t could not
but make profound impression upon
tia English people. The poet touched
the nations heart and bowed 1t low in
the moment OF It's greatest pride by
reminding it that material pomp and
power Ii but as wax--that spiritual
strength alone endureA
The message to the American people
In THE White Mans Burden" Is equal
~ impressive. but in a far different
way. 1t IL not only a call to duty, but
It points out. by the white light OF *
perience. the burdens and heavy labor
the doing Of that duty involves. II
tells Us We will be misunderstood and
hated by those we are trying to help.
abused at home and maiigned abroad:
that the task will often seem a hope
up the white mans burden Ia as In
spring TO this young. strong nation as
q trumpet blast summoning to battle.
kipling's views Of the American char
aeter have changed somewhat since his
nrst visit 10 this country. when he
landed unheralded and unknown on our
western coast and studied US with that
keen insight which sees all that Is hid
den beneath the surface and makes his
books enc long study Of character. or
rather OF types. for Kiplings chief de-
light is in studying types. He under
stands Us better.
AZ Is always the case when criticised
by foreigners. We were very angry when
his letters first appeared telling the
world the result OF his observation OF
the Americans o. course we said the
usual things about him; that ne was a
prstadiced tnglishman hurrysng across
the country. blind 10 anything good ana
1udiees into print. In this we we're
mora unjust than klpling He ssings
81 times. bat. after al. what he says II
true. and the sting really does us good.
as II voices exactly what We feel In
moments OF angry sels-eontemps. when
some particularly stridens note az raw.
uniformed national character Jars upon
Ia.
Take this fragment from THE AEaey!-
car" IN The Seven Seas" and bear
In mind tina; II is the American Spirit
not kinling, that r. speaking;
''t'aira-eyea he scofTs a. sword ara crown.
Or raisie~hiinfls{ slabs srsa Sfavs
Blatant he atAs fAe weird eow sewn
oT ersngi8g ses~ q crsssnb OF prasss
-E1sslaved. fllox4cal sia.e
Tie wreets IN embarrassed xssfs. nor
fears
TO shake sae iron hand 81 Fate.
Or match NTH DESTINY Tor beer.
'fAos is1r~ftlsF aassle be rateN,
Iakeairt. disTeputAhge vast
Ard. ~ tAs teefh of Ali tse schools
Ill shall save am 81 sne iastss'
Ne often think this o. ourselves I.
We 81 not say IL: then why should ws
b. angry At kipliax Ter saying it 40
cosar>amying the sting Ia nis verse Is al,
ways the vibrant nase ar hope ana ri
rrApa a. The and He believes IN Is
ard with the poets lnsssa. sees re