The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-29

From our regular Correspondent.
tAKIS, June 11.-Strange as it may seem,
about the best place to study the United States
at the present time is In the Paris Universal
Exposition. When you are very close to big
| thing you cannot see it. Perspection is neces-
sary in measuring its scope. | have just re-
turned from visit &c the building where
many International Congresses, Sociologic,
Scientific, Philanthropic, Educational and
Religious are held. The Congresses sit In the
large upper balls where many eminent special
lists from all parts of the world are met to
confer and discuss. In the lower halls are ex-
hibits of various countries. and the exhibit of
the United States is in the second room to the
right. In all the rooms of these buildings are
displayed pictures, tables, maps, and models
of hospitals, schools, reformatory institutions,
libraries etc. 1t is interesting to know that
our country is ahead Of all others in circuat-
ing libraries. and surprising to learn that Italy
comes next. We have not nearly such large
libraries az some other countries, but the diff
ferenc is that ours are mobile and useful
while these old country libraries are stagnant.
The great libraries of Europe are for ssvants,
ours are for the people. II you doubt this try
to get into one of the old world libraries and
see what a mesh of obstruction and red tape
you will have to struggle through. You will
need to present written order before you
can enter and the man from whom you get it Is
more inaccessible than q. 5. cabint minister.
You can enter the National Library at WASH
ington, and think any library in the United
States. and read without formality or card any
book on the shelves. Mr.. Melville Dewey of
the State of New York has done more for the
improvement of the circulating library than
any other man. The idea which possessed him
WAS that 4 library should not be mere reser-
voir or museum for rare and curious books
but reservoir with pipes leading into every
household. III other words dissemination,
rather than accumulation, has been his aim
and accomplishment. The broadcasting of
wholesome chaste literature by means of the
travelling country libraries of recent invention
is bound to have a most Statutory effect upon
the intelligence Of the country and will doubt
less do much to neutralize the flood of cheap,
bad books and debasiDg journalism. do
you know" said kuskin, IF you read that
book you cannot read this one?" When we
reflect that only u small proportion OF the
really good books can be read in lifetime it
is literally true that in reading trashy book
we are losing forever the time to read good
one.
1t is suspicious for the future intelligence OF
the citizens of the United States and especially
of Italy that these two countries lead all
others in the circulation of wholesome litera-
ture. 1t means for Italy u completion of her
emancipation which was only partially AZ
complished when Garabaldi entered Rome and
overthrew the temporal power of the Pope.
Yesterday saw on one of the most crowded
hOl1 Low ia of ria q of h0va
Of from eight to twelve years old marshalled
by two men who were in citizens clothes and
not as in former days the long domino of
priests. i asked one of the leaders If they
were public school children. The reply was:
'Oui Monsieur. garcous de lecole Rationale"
could no. help saying "vive e'eole publiaue."
for the future of France is more dependent on
the education of the youth of the country
than its great army. 4
shall have more to say about this Palais Of
Congresses and the questions considered by the
eminent specialists who are now here. To my
mind this while the least rampant, is really
the most important part of the Exposition. 1t
means more for human amelioration than tie
latest thing in plowe, automobiles or electric
ity, though / must not be understood as
munifying their usefulness. learn that there
will be no Congress of Religions such as was
held at Chicago, but there is on the programme
.'de'Historie des Religious" to be discussed
from the Sd to the Sth of September inclusive
and this will doubtless bring up the subject in
its breadth. There will be no participation by
the Roman Catholics.
AS the very intelligent Frenchman N. Emile
Bourgeois of the Office of the Secretary-Gen-
eral said: 1.-The Catholics do not like Discus
sion.r For reasons of policy the Catholics took
part in the Chicago symposium. 1t had to be
done or the utter unfitness of the church for
intelligent modern humanity and christianity
would have been accumulated in way loser
iously iniure this great politico-religious or
ganization in the United States, but there was
an entire nous understanding between the
American hierarchy and the Vatican that the
fraterriZ .tiou of Cardinal Gibbons and others
at Chicago was for effect, and their levity on
this occasion did not in the least affect the
ancient policy of Rome. Indeed 1t was quick
ly followed by repressive and retrogressive
encyclical from the Pope, and u reaction
against "Americanism" or Heckerism," In
other words u reaction against common sense
as applied to religion.
There is not in France or in French politics
any reason why the Catholic Church should
make prctense of liberalitY as size did In the
United States at Chicago. for just as an at
tempt to appear abreast with the age would
help her in country where religionists tn ink,
it would injure her prestige and her Lower
with people who in matters of religion, at
Inast have had for ares nil thong ht repfessed