The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-07-06
GREATNESS OF AMERICA.
The Personal Impressions OF a Oistin
ouished Enplishman

The Personal Impressions OF Ostin-
ouished Enalishman.
Nineteenth Century.
Ny own Impression is that In spite OF the
vast proportion of immigrant population,
the language, character. habits Of native
Americans rapidly absorb and incorporate
all foreign elements, In the second or third
generation all exotic differences are merged
In one sense the United States seemed to
me more homogeneous than the United
Kingdom. There Is no State city or large
area which has a distinct race OF its own,
as Ireland, Wales and Scotland have, and
Of course there is nothing analogous to
the diverse nationalities of the British en-
pre. From Long Island to San Francisco,
from Florida bay to TaHcouYer's island
there is one dominant race and civilization,
OF nationality That race, that nationality,
is American 10 the core. And the con-
lective force Oils the minds of American
citizens as nothing can do to this degree
in the nations OF Western Europe
Vast expansion, collective force mex
haustible energy-7these are the impressions
forced on the visitor beyond all that ne
ind.
No competent observer can doubt that In
wealth, manufactures, material progress of
all kinds, the United States In a very rev
years must hold the first place in the
sources of their country exceed those of all
Europe put together Their energy exceeas
that of the British; their. Intelligence Is
hardly second to that of Germany and
France And their social and political sys-
tenn is more favorable TO material develop
ment than any other society ever devised
OF course. for the American citizen ana
the thoughtful visitor. the real problem Is
whether this vast prosperity, this houndless
future of theirs, rests upon an canal ed
g gOrfal pta4lln al s,1 a
sphere They would be bold critics who
should maintain It. and few thinking men
"a me United states do SO without quail,
nertlohs ana misgiyings
The whole educational machinery must
5e at least tentold that Of the United Kirg
This ingralned sense OF the absolu,s
equality OF all white cltlzens reacts on All
things Men who manage affairs Of state
IN their shirt sleeves are too apt to make
rough. andready view of life and of thai
which is becoming and right AS Nj
bryce has so well said, the sense of no
nesse obAge which still survives in Eu-
olhce or ~. great social position has hardly
any equivalent In American life
N0t that the representatives. Of the re-
pnnnc are wanting In personal bearing Tne
president sat through the ceremonies of the
lnangnration with placid dignity. his fnr
textures In their stern repose, looking like
q bronze ngure OF the elder Brutus or CATO
the censor But at a personal reception in
tho White House Mr. Mckinley viii show
as much grace and courtesy OF dpmeanOr
as any sovereign by divine right and his
smile and his voice are pronounced moi
gnly by women 20 be perfectly winning
The diplomatists Of Europe agree In assdr-
lug rs that nothing can exceed the tact
and correctness" which distinguish Mr.
Hay the accomplished secretary OF stnte
IL IS true that congressman In the shirt
sleeves have not that repose Of manner
which marks the caste OF We're de We're
Bu the men who are charged to speak in
the name Of the state will usually he found
10 rise to the occasion with that facility
which enables every genuine American 60
adapt himself TO play new part aud to
trlhll an unaccustomed duty. The capitol
Al Washington struck me as being the most
elective mass OF public buildings IN the
y orld, especially when viewed az some
distance ana from the park ia which il
stands AS an effective public edihee az a
grandiose kind. ] doubt II any capital city
can show its equal.
Washington, the youngest capital city OF
tie world, bids fair To-. become. before
he Twentieth century Is ended, the mOsr
beautiful and certainly the most commo.
dious.
America is making Violent efforts 70
evolve a National architecture; but ~ yer