Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-24


The lack of culture here. in the sense of the
term applied in Europe. especially in
Germany. the author finds certain traits
which have made a great people. with a
wonderful record and possibilities. These
traits he groups into four classes. naming
them the spirit of self-directon, the spirit
OF self-nitiative, the spirit of self-perfec-
ton and the spirit of self-assertOn. He ac-
knOwledgeS that there is so much of praise
in his work that its presentation to Ameri-
can readers may cater to a fifth distinctly
American trait-the spirit of self-satisfac-
ton.
self-directiOn, says Prof. Munsterberg is
the handspring of all the battling turmoil
the inner mechanism and the motive behind
all the politically effective forces in this re-
public. He traces the effects of this spiri.
through the political institutions and sew
orally analyses them, as phenomena af-
fected by a central motive. On the eco
romic side he finds dominant the spirit Of
self-initative, without which the American
people could not have produced their phe-
nomenal results. Other lands are equally
blessed with climate and resources and
yet they do not show the industry the
wealth and the success which are here SO
conspicuous In the intellectual life the
spirit Of self-perfection acts as a moving
principle. and in the social life the spirit of
self-assertiOn.
The author finds certain arfstOcratic fem
dercies steadily a work to check the demo-
cratic development of the nation and he
notes the concern which Is felt in some
quarters here lest there NAV be danger TO
the republic in these warnings toward what
are styled Imperialism and militarism and
other phenomena Of the public mind. But
he is optimistic. holding to the belief that
the steady development of the body polite
Will continue. with a harmonious co-opera-
ton between the fundamental democratic
forces and the lesser aristocratic ones.
The volume closes with Interesting
comparison between the American and the
German characters as follows:
The American still puts the higher value
on the personal. the German on the over
PERSONAL the American on the intrinsic
value Of the eating will the German on
the intrinsic value of the absolute ideal
But every day sees the difference reduced
and brings the two nations nearer to a
similar attitude of mind Moreover, both
of these fundamental tendencies are equally
idealistic, and both OF these nations are
therefore destined to understand and to
esteem each other, mutually to extend their
friendship TO emulate each other and to
work together. so that in the confused play
OF temporal forces the intrinsicalIy yalu-
able shall be victorious over the temporary
and fleeing, the ideal over the accidental.
For both nations feel together. In the
depths OF their being, that In order to give
meaning to life man must believe In time
less ideals"
THE TRUE HENRY CLAY. BY Joseph NJ. Rogers
illustrated. Philadelphia: ]. b. Lpp!ncott
Company
1t seems anomalous TO produce a series
OF books distinguished by the group title OF
True Biographies as though there should
ever be a biography which did not claim
to be true to life But 1t is nevertheless a
fact that not only have six such works
been published, but that they have supplied
hitherto untitled lack in giving outlines
and details of certain historic personages
IN terms which dsabuse the readers mind
Of prejudces and misconceptions In select
ing writer for the Clay volume of this
series the publishers showed excellent judg-
ment. Mr.. Rogers has made a life-study
Of Harry OF the West and his environ
ment. being himself native-born Kentuck-
ian. There existed long and close friend
ship between his own family and that OF
Henry Clay. He has had access to all the
private Clay papers now in the possession
of the family, who gave him every assist
ance in the preparation OF his work.
1t is not as eulogist that Mr.. Rogers
writes of Henry Clay, but as biographer
intent upon describing the man as he was
with his errors noted. his frailties laid bare
and his merits properly estimated He be-
gins by stating that the real Henry Clay
is being lost from the minds of men and
a mythical Henry Clay Is taking his place
The author notes some OF the errors OF
estimation thus:
1T is generally assumed that he was the
father of protection. In truth he was only
q sort OF stepfather, who at an important
period gave his foster child not only 9
scolding. but drubbing which nearly re.
suited In death.
1T Is often assumed that he was this
father Of the sound-money doctrine be-