The courier., 1902-03-15

OF human greatness. FROM the stand
point of power he is the most awe
inspiring ruler i'm the world.
Therefore. so long as the powers and
principalities of Europe seem to be
headed this way. and thankful for the
invitation, why need we get so nervous
about the application of our manners
to them? What is good enough for
the greatest man alive is good enough
or for any sovereign.
The courtesy is a graceful form of
salutatiOn. in many respects better
than the hand-shake, but ii is obso-
lete. and ii is certain that Mrs. Carter
Harrison would have tried no courte-
sizes on President Roosevelt. If ii had
been suggested to her she would have
replied that it was too deferential. Yet
she and other ladies practiced courte-
sizes for a fortnight before the arrival
of man who is not intrinsically great
like the president of the United States,
who has little power that does not ac-
crue 10 him through his relationship
to an emperor.
The time has come for the adoption
of rules. 1t is good for the country
that the sovereigns of Europe should
get acquainted personally with Ameri-
ca, its resources, representative men
and the character of its population.
Their increased knowledge of us and
our ways tends to the development of
international commerce. Therefore,
princes of Germany, England, Japan,
Italy and representatives Of all other
countries, who think it worth while to
inspect us, are welcome. But when
they arrive the members of the COM
mittee should shake hands with their
royal highnesses. offer them the best
we have. show them our most impress
sive scenery and stock-yards, and give
them the best things to eat with Eng
lish names there are in the markets.
But unless we wish to give them the
impression that we are ashamed Of
democracy worked out in society, let
us not kiss their hand nor drop them
mock-humble courtesies. We can not
ape the manners of courts without be-
traying our ignorance and exciting de-
rision. They know that America is the
great republic. They come expecting
to be treated as men, gentlemen and
representatives OF Englishmen, Ger
mans or japanese. What greatness
they possess is derived from the peo-
pie. They are messengers, emissaries.
national signs. III it were not for the
busy toilers they leave at home, dukes
and princes would be without signifi-
canoe. Emperor william, shorn of his
representative character, would not
attract the attention of the world. II
is because he so ably and wisely rep
resents the great German nation that
Americans lately cheered his brother.
We are Americans STILL no matter who
comes to see US. Let the mayors, their
wives, and all others i'm authority re-
member that.
The principle on which this govern
ment is founded and by which it main-
tains itself is that one man is just as
good as another, il not a little better.
When kings and princes cross the
ocean to see America, it is absurd for
us to consult books on court etiquette
and seek to give the visitors the i'm
preston that We are ashamed of the
republican regime; acknowledge in so
many words that George Washington
made a mistake. IL the founders of
this government did make a mistake
in subjecting their descendants to the
of getting along without a
reieuiu1 family we should acknoWl-