The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-15
The Kin.hip Of Sin.

Presenting that Mark Twain, or, to be
more exact. Mr.. Samuel L. Clemens. has
maintained his legal residence in Hart
ford, ,1'iie absent on leave from an ad-
mi-ing country Tor several years. 1t strikes
us that it would not be q bad idea for the
Connecticut Legislature to some day send
him to the Senate. We all know him as
literary genius. and master OF the art
and science of American humor. Many
people of reputation and fortune would
cheerfuily exchange both for the honor of
having been author of Tom Sawyer" aad
''Huckleberry Finn But his speech at
the waldorf-Astoris the other night in
Producing Mt. Winston Churchill to q fash
ionable audience, marked him as a rising,
il not a risen, statesman, and one we'll
able to hold his own with the Morgans
and wolcotts. not to mention the Petit
Crews. Kyles. and Hannas of the most
comfortable club in America
Than Mr.. Clemens there Is no authority
more competent to speak upon the rela-
lions of the English-speaking peoples. 1t
10 not due to Ply atas,sm on his part
that he is : connecting link betwee.. them.
1.ie is one. and why we shall not insult
the intelligence of our readers by explain
ing He is more than a link-he is-a
critic, and entirely capable OF transact
ing the business. But IL is rather as a
missionary than otherwise that he pre-
scented himself on the occasion above re-
ferred TO. when he said:
ary to bring about the union OF America and the
mother land. This ought to be union of friend
ship and esteem and fellowship, an alliance Of
the heart which should permanently and bench
Gently cement the two peoples together. I've
warmed this mission of mine up with compliments
20 both peoples wherever I've been. They ought
TO be united. Behold America. the refuge Of the
oppressed nom everywhere (who can pay fifty
dollars sdmiHion)-snyone except Ciinaman-
standing up for human rights everywhere. even
helping 20 make China let people in free when
she wants 10 collect fft:- dollars them. And
i,oy unselfs',,y England has wrought Tor the open
door Tor all And how piously America has
wrought tor that open door in all Cases yheIe it
was not her own
Mr.. Clemens grasp OF national and in
ternstional subjects Is handsomely Illus
frsted In the foregoing quotation Other
people may miss the point of England's
disinterested philanthropy. but he does not
He sees with the keen eye Of the analyst
that our open door at fifty dollars a knock
is not dcarer TO us than the all around
open door is to England. She. indeed, is
giving us continual reminders Of her faith
anc practice. Shut out from the Pacific
Coast Of Alaska by teaty. and adverse pos
session for three-fourths OF century. she |
shows. her bona hdes by kicking q door |
open through our territory. and annexing |
ell Of IL she wants. II is a poor speci- |
men of an open door whose door plate !
IL moi inscribed with the name OF John |
Bull. Mr.. Clemens had something to say
on the burning missionary question In
China, and said 1t well, as follows:
''How generous England and America have
been in net compelling China TO pay exorbitantly
for extinRuished missionaries They are willing
20 take produce for taem--nrecrackefs and such;
while the Germans must have monuments and
any other Doodle that is wing around They've
made Christianity expensive that China can't
sGord German missionaries any more
The eminent humorist goes straight to
tAs meat OF his subject-neat that many