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

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 credulity
| 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, wizards,
and clairvoyants does seem remarkable.
1t is hardly true, however, that the peo-
pie OF this country are more eredulous than
others; least OF all should it be stated that
superstition fiourishes 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 faldrs and cheats.
The people of this country are in the in
Quisitive stage OF their growth just al pres
ent. The population of most big American
clties-and ii is in the cities that the clair
voyant and his kind are apt to flourish like
a green bay tree-sre a mixture OF native
and foreign elements; and the foreign pop
ulation is recruited from every country
under the sun, and largely from the most
ignorant and superstitious classes of Eu-
rope. These people have ingrained in then
blood the belief in certain signs and wo.-
ders and their fathers and mothers, and
grandfathers and graudmothers asfore
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
fakirs who are clever enough to deceive
them.
But that is not all Of it. When the for
eign-born American outgrows his superstl-
ton, in its original, dense, and pristine
purity, he takes on the attitude of tnsl
doubter. This is Characteristic Of this age
OF the world, and particularly of the
American people. The Yankee is distin-
guished above all things for his shrewd-
ness and caution, together with simple |
faith in certain fundamental principles of
right and wrong. The typical Uncle Sam
believes in God and the Constitution. the |
home and the family. and if any other form |
Of faith is presented to him, he is apt to |
look at it with a quizzical air of interest, |
and investigate It to see what it is worth. |
Fully half the customers OF the average !
fakir Of the elsitvoyant or fortune teller I
type DO not believe with any great frinness
that the advice they Will get is worth a /
row OF pins. They want to see whether it |
is or not, and are willing 10 spend a little |
money in making the experiment The /
man who has one superstition does not in
vegtigate. lie knows that his belief is I
true, and others are wrong or perhaps. he |
is willing 10 admit without investigation !
that there may be something in all varie-
ties OF faith. But the man who has just
outgrown one superstition is likely to dab
BILE in ali the others to see what they are
like, and prove to his satisfaction that he
is right in doubling all of them That is
why people who have. with something of
a wrench, torn themselves away from
established doctrines in which their ances-
mept with all sorts of occult and curious
forms Of faith for few years. before they
settle down to their final creed. They
want to be sure OF their ground.
The nation as a whole is very much in
this state OF mind at present. Owing to
the influence Of modern thought, faith In
many things which used to be considered
indubitable has weakened. In course of
time the true and the false Will be sifted
and wlnnowcd. TIL some sort of national
form of belief may he the result It will
need to be an elementary and simple creed,
to 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 not sure which new ones he
may decide to adopt.