The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-11

Commenting upon the fact that a man
who had prosperously and successfully
practiced palmistry in this country was
caught and convicted in London. certain
critics are inclined to remark the eredulity
Of the American people. When one con-
siders the practical good sense and general
skepticism Of the average American, the
success OF certain fortune tellers, wizar ds
and clairvoysnts does seem remarkable.
It is hardly true, however that the peo-
PIE OF THIS country are more credulous than
others; least OF all should il be stated that
superstition fourisles in America, on the
mere evidence OF the success of quacks.
For the most part. this depends on quite a
different national characteristic. 1t is
curious. but skepticism, rather than Gre
dulity. contributes directly toward the
maintenance OF many falirs and cheats.
The people Of this country are in the in
Quistive stage OF their growth just al pres
ent. The population OF most big Americ an
clties-snd it is in the cities that the clair
voyant and bis kind are apt TO flourish like
a green bay tree-sre a mixture Of native
and foreign elements; aud the foreign pop
ulation is recruited from every country
under the sun, and largely from the most
ignorant and srperstitious classes Of Eu-
rope. These people have ingrained in their
blood the belief In certain signs and Won
ders. and their fathers and mothers, and
grandfathers and graudmothers fsfcre
them. have been accustomed to consult or
fear wizards and prophets Of all kinds. 1t
is to be expected, then, that they should
patronize, albeit not always openly, the
fsldrs VINO are clever enough 10 deceive
them.
But that Is not all OF It. When the for
eien-born American outgrows his superstl-
ton. in its original. dense. and pristine
purity. he takes on the attitude of the
doubicr. This is characteristic OF this age
o. the world. and particularly of the
American people The Yankee is distin-
guished above all things for his shrewd-
ness and caution. together with a simple
faith in certain fundamental principles OF
right aud wrong The typical Uncle sam
believes in God and the Constitution, the
home and the family and il any other form
Of faith is presented TO him. he is apt to
lool al it with a qIizzical air of interest.
and investigate g. 10 see what it is worth
Fully half the customers Of the average
faldr Of The clsayoyant or fortune-teller
TYNE 90 not believe with any great Grmness
that the advice they viii get is worth a
row Of pins. They want to see whether it
Is or not and are willing TO spend a little
money in making the experiment The
man who has one superstition does not in
ye-,igatc. lie knows that his belief is
true and others are wrong, or perhaps. he
is willing 10 admit without investigation
that there may be something in all varie-
tics OF faith. But the man who has Just
outrroNn one superstition is likely to dab
bic in all the others 90 see what they are
like. and uroye 10 his satisfaction that he
is right in doubuug all Of them That IS
why people who have, with something of
a wrench, torn themselves away from
established doctrines in which their ances-
tors FIRMLY believed, are so apt 10 expert
mont with an sorts Of occult and curious
forms OF faith for a few years, before they
srele down TO their final creed. They
wan, 10 De sure OF their ground.
The nation as a whole is very much in
/ this state Of mind at present. Owing to
The influence 81 modern thought, faith in
many things which used TO be considered
/ indubitable has weakened. In course OF
time The true and the false viii be sifted
/ end Winnowcd. dll some sort Of national
Z form Of belief may be the result. 1t will
need 10 be an elementary and simple creed.
/ 10 allow FOR all the varying needs OF tenn
/ permanent. tradition. and intelligence. But
/ Just now the American is in nearly the
/ condition Of college freshman. He sees
some of his old ideals slipping away from
him. and Is noi sure which new ones he
may decide to adopt.