The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-11
A PROFOUND STUDENT ON THE
UNITED STATS.

thoughtful student of peoples and his
recent book on America is evidence of
his closely observing qualities as we'll
as discrimination. He is a man or
science and is ~physologist Of renown III
his own country. He visitel this coun-
try. made a journey through parts of
it and Canada in 1899. His recent
book is the result of his study OF the
United States. We will not lie him
in his various observations and opIn-
H.. @ will glance here and there
for a few The general i'm
preston of the vast United States is
given in a few lines. He says the i'm
preston left upon me by the American
landscape is that Of an immense stretch
OF greenness- There seems to be an
abundance OF sap and life in the grasses
and in the leaves such as is unknown
among us. 1t is an indescribable ar
laony of fruitfulness yielding TO the
spectator a new sense Of life and pleas
are" He finds in the best the soil ex-
essively fruitful, and in contrast with
he abundance in that vast section, he
says that 'in Europe the farmer lives a
most ~precarious existence; there nature
never forgives a mistake made upon
her tired and wornout soil. but IN
America the yielding power of the land
corrects any mistake of the laborer."
He finds hurry up" the eternal cry
and magic words. All are on a great
movement for work and gain, and
muscles and nervous system are over
taxed. He says Europe will compete
IN vain.'' with the American, with his
intense. immense will power. .
As to education American universe
ties are inferior to those of Europe
ton to universities:
Universities tend constantly to pro-
Guce greater inequalities and are there
fore opposed to a democratic spirit;
teachers seek for best students inthair
classes to carry on those higher studies
which, in the nature of things, can be
the perquisites of only a few; on the
other hand, democracy in education
tends to level and equalize men, arm
ing rather to make easy a majority OF
intellectual mediocrity."
There is more or less of truth doubt
less in that contention, and particular
ly as to Europe. But the italian con-
cides that better results are accom-
shed than in Europe" If true hen
Il is highly complimentary for any de-
Tets and shortcomings that may st
lend education on these shores. He
gives the reason for this saying that it
sis because our students are more ear
nest and hard-workink. 1t is the insis-
tence o. ones self, as Emerson called
it. which is the characteristic of Amer
lean education and it's power for good.
The family education completes that
of the school,. giving to it the impulse
TO put learning into practice"
He admits too that popular or general
education is better among us than in
Europe-that "the masses are educat-
ed" and that 1.-The whole tendency Of
American education is toward making
men hard working and Independent.
This, and not any racial characteristic,
is the secret of it's strength" The
almighty dollar is the inspiration
and driving power in this supposed
land of the free and home of the
brave" The people, however, defective
and worldly, are as an average mucn
cerity of their piety. They are more
easily and genuinely religious.
The acute Italian professor throws
under a calcium light just here. He
says that 1.-The desire to become
wealthy is so strong and powerful in
every American that, in order to reserve
the opportunity of realizing such de-
sire. Americans willingly submit to the
continuance of laws which allow such
accumulation" Ia part only is that
true. A majority of the people-the
real nation builders and the earnest
bread-winners. submit to the reign of
plutocracy>by the aid of laws made for
them because as yet there is not such
agreement and unity of action as are
necessary to bring about a change in
legislation.
AS to science in the United States
Professor Mosso holds this view-that
democracy aids in the ready adapta-
ton n application of science to our
physical needs. but impedes or retaris
the development of scientific thought;
in other words, as it's aim is utilitarian
rather than ideal, it ack the vivify-
ing principle which makes pure science
possible" He thinks American indi-
vidualism Will destroy socialism. There
are more glimpses of thought and
opinions thu are worked out with
careful and logical consistency and
comprehensiveness. 1t is a book of
thought and observation by a man of
parts in old, well-worn Europe of the
new n aggressive and progressive
United States of America.