New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-20
POPULAR OBSERVATIONS.
HANDLING" CROWDS.
PROTEST AGAINST AMERICAN SUBMISSION TO
GLARING ABUSE

A PROTEST AGAINST AMERICAN SUBMISSION TO
A GLARING ABUSE
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: Permit me to say that your editorial Some
Manners in a Crowd" in yesterdays Sundays
Tribune afforded me the most unmxed satisfac-
ton. had long regarded the abuse OF which
you speak a thing so distinctively and char
acteristically American, a custom so rooted ana
confirmed. TO be safe from notice, and far more
from criticism In any American Journal though II
would not be tolerated in any other country unher
the sun. It is a At and logical expression OF the
truth that whatever freedom or form OF freedom
Is still enjoyed by the public en- masse' the IN
divldual as such-the PERSONALS no rights mere
which anybody is bound TO respect when consid-
cred apart from his condition an integral por-
ton OF mob. The evil has become so well
established that IL is thing OF daily occurrence
to speak In newspapers and elsewhere. OF hand-
ling crowds, as one speaks OF handling goods
To use such an expression in st. Petersburg and
TO attempt TO put It in practice. might cost an
absolute monarch his throne and his life. But II
is safe enough in free America.
Even in the seat Of the Federal Government ana
at the residence OF the Chief Magistrate OF the
Nation. It is common occurrence for the ser
wants Of the house. who servants only In FORM
and fact not in name, and each one OF whom p'V ~
ably holds his place by influence FAR ABOVE, tHe
reach OF the average individual in the crowd when
he handles" to facilitate the labors OF his otnce
by the laying Of hands and not at croWueu
public receptions only when the house Is thrown
open 10 any individual. who chooses to enter out az
evening receptions to which invitation Ohougn no!
admission is by card. and at which guests nlghl
reasonably expect the same courtesies wnlcn they
would receive In private house II tnls laCt ~
noted here il is only TO show how distnctlVely
National and prevailing the abuse has become ana
how hopeless IL would seem 10 try 10 eradlcate u.
Some years ago ! closely associated WIN d
party of distinguished foreigners travelling IN thls
country and We were constantly brought into close
contact with crowds in several OF our primer
pal cities | have often been asked what par.
ticuar thing struck these foreigners as mos
worthy OF notice in this country To tell the ruth
what struck them most and struck them WIN
amazement was the way in which the crowds ana
individuals in the crowd were handed. ana . on on
this subject they often apprehensiVe ana
nervous for the same thing in their own country,
or in any other country in Europe. would nave
produced a riot and led 10 bloodshed.
Against abuses OF this character the people nave
a weapon which is never used in this country, az
though II is a common resort In England. ana
seldom used without effect-writing 10 the
newspapers which always on the side OF IN
dividuaf rights against the encroachments OF au-
thoritv and especially against corporatons tns
ATTITUDE of which toward the Individual Is tne
real source Of all the abuses OF similar character
10 that under consideration which afnlct the pep
ple OF this country. The patience with "nlcn me
American people suffer the encroachments OF
mowers which are often self-consttuted. amounts
n tameness and timidity. and the rarity OF any
notice of such glazing abuses leads me 10 a re-
newai Of nv expression Of surprise and graunca-
ZION AZ The Tribune's attitude. e H. DAVIS
Washington D. c.. Nov b. 1899.