New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
SELECTIONS FROM THE NAIL
WHAT AMERICAN CRITICS OF THE ENGLISH
POET SHOULD REMEMBER.

To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir: II is somewhat curious that certain Ameri-
whose perfervid patriotism habitua1ly leads
them into all sorts OF vociferous excesses the
most severe critics Of the somewhat rampant pa
triotism OF Rudyard Kipling Lovers of liter
ature may regret that he pays more attention to
the passing and ephemeraI political policies of one
nation than to worldwide and world-embracing
problems affecting the welfare and progress Of the
whole human race This regret will be all the
keener because he has shown that he do this
greater work for humanity with power and
skill Still. after ALL It rests with him alone to
decide In what manner and for what particular
purpose he shall employ his genius If, as pa
triotic Englishman, he chooses to be flaming seer
Of patriotic impulse, with commission to rebuke
the nation for its shortcomings and rouse Il to
higher heights of duty and endeavor, we do not
that he should be lampooned and abused for
choosing. We are told that his political verse
is poor stuff, and doubtless much of 1t is. We are
also told that. Englands cause being unrighteous'
the militant appeals of Kiping in favor OF that
cause must be classed immoral. But even II
Englands Is unrighteous, which is far from
being admitted by everybody. Kiplins. as loyal
Englishnan. need not be too severely censured for
doing all that in him lies to advance his coun-
trys welfare and power.
Moreover American critics of Kipling should re-
member that we had political of our own be-
fore and during the Civil War who did what Kip
ling is doing for Great Britain. Americans do not
need to be reminded OF the work done by Lowell
and Whittier in rousing the national conscience IN
regard the question of slavery. What they did,
Of course differs from the work Of Kpling in that
the question which inspired their genius was a
distinctly moral one as to which they uttered the
ultimate verdict OF universal humanity. But wnen
they wrote, slavery political as well as
moral question, and political question nrst OK
ali IT had TO be settled by the State. While the
moral issue involved was never wholly lost sisht
be profoundly stirred by appeals to pafriousm
pure and simple. Such in their charaetsE were the
innumerable songs about the Union ana the nag nag
which touched with the fire or patriotism Iarge
number OF citizens who were not quite sure that
any moral question was involved In slavery
The service that these writer's of war lyrics rem
dered 10 their country was great, even, thoueh
much that they wrote was characterized by eoul..
lient loyalty rather than by any broad view or
ethics or righteousness In every country d there
must always be a large class or people VINO are
susceptible to such an appeal. and to such an an
MY country is the world my c0untrymea yea ARE are
come to pass when the universal republic OF man
shall swallow up all nations and races In the
mean while it must remain largely counsel OF
perfection when the integrity or honor OF NATION
Is az stake Much potent at sucn T. time
though less admirable from a moral point OF view
Will he the sentiment OF Commodore Stephen De
catur when he said: Our country! IN her inter
course with foreign nations may she always De IN
the right but s1 our S SoqstFy q right or W.