Evening star., 1901-10-11
"AMERICANISM."
Does Not Mean a Phflistine Contempt
for the Old World.

Does Not Mean a PhfIistine Contempt
for the Old World.
From the New York Mail and Express.
A very eminent mantle matter OF his
Identity need not be considered here-has
lately been deservedly praised on account
of his intense Americanism." This domi-
nant note in a chorus of praise has led a
gentleman Of foreign birth and education
to ask us what intense Americanism is He
is honestly curious to know, and wishes a
thorough explanation Of the term.
It Is just possible that the question is
easier to ask than it is to answer. A great
deal Of history, philosophy and psychology
is involved in the reply. In a brief and
general way. It may be said that "Ameri-
canism' Is an earnest sympathy with the
public. In a more specitl way, it means a
separation Of the ideas and principles Of
thought and action of the American citizen
from the colonial standard and habit. The
colonial habit still survives in New England; !;
and although the universal American nation
was started in New England, that section Of
the country has retained so much Of the
colonial habit and still depends Intellectually
and phiiosophically SO much on Europe.
that 1t Is now necessary to put II through
a process of assimilation to the rest OF the
country. The process IL going on hope
fully. The scions of the old Dutch houses
Of New Amsterdam are for the most % part
moro Intensely American" today than are
the leading descendants Of the founders of
New England.
Americanism does not mean a Philistine
contempt for the ideas and experience Of
the old world. It does mean. however, an
acceptance Of the notion that we stand on
the shoulders OF the old world, and are
able to see further over the wall of habit
and prejudice even the old world can see
It means. pre-eminently. a democratic pur-
pose and organization which is still In no
sense proietariat organization Old
world democracy generally means lower
class hatred OF an upper class. American
democracy means nothing Of this sort be-
cause 1t repudiates the notion Of class from
the beginning. For this reason no political
parties can endure In this country which
are based on the principle of social conser-
vatism on one hand or Of radicalism on the
other. Intense Americanism' bars all such
DIVISIONS: 1t insists not only that the peopie
are to be trusted. but that they are them
selves the conservative. the staying infiu-
ence
Americanism has no ethical or race
basis. for its doctrine IL soundly professed
and faithfully followed by many men Of for
eign birth. Given inborn disposition and
free choice and the voluntary Separation
from old world IDEAS. and the American
idea may be quickly grasped by a new
conner. On the other hand. an inbred colo
ntsliam Of sentiment viii cut the native Of
old race on from 1t forever The American
spirit Is genial. hopeful. always iusistent
upon earnest and brotheriy participation IN
the attainment Of the highest prosperity
state. ones city, ones ne4ghborhood It
makes public spirit virtue and de.ni~e.
the cayiler, the kicker.
Amertcantsm Il other things besides those
enumerated here. but there seems to be no
present occasion to % on with the list.