Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-12-22

independence was not possible for him
in the conquered provinces. He set to
work. therefore, to master the French
Language. accepted position at Re
mircmont In the French Nosges, and
in 1882 went to Paris, where he en-
tered upon successful career as a
minister and literary man. "The
Simple Life" Is the best known of sew
cral works that lie has written, though
youth and Courage" and "fbc Better
Way" are fairly well known to Amerl-
can readers.
After President Roosevelt spoke in
complimentary terms of THE Simple
Life" such interest In the book and Its
author developed IN America that Rev.
Mr.. Wagner came across the Atlantic
TO lecture. one OF the first men he cali
cd upon was President Roosevelt, and
concerning the visit lie wrote the fol-
lowing for Success magazine
II was particularly struck with the
simplicity Of the home life Of the presi.
dent. TO one accustomed to viewing
the pomp and ceremony which sur.
round the rulers of Europe there
seems to be something notable In tho
entire lack OF ostentation In the Roose.
welt family. | was surprised at Mr..
Rooscvelt's habit Of inviting to his prl-
vate dining table those who are doing
good work in the world quite regard
less Of what their power or social po-
sItion may be. He looks to the man him
self rather than to Ills appurtenances,
and this Is brushing away OF the
supcrhuItles which IL rare In men of
his position. In Washington saw his
boys starting 10 public school, and
one OF them did not even bother to
wear n hat. This, Of course, was n
small matter. but II impressed me. In
Europe the children OF II ruler with not
onc-tcnth of the power Of Mr.. Roosc-
welt do not 20 to school Mt all, much
less TO public school. They have n
corps Of private tutors and rarely ven
turc into the streets except In elabo-
rate cquipagcs.
"rhe observance of complete sim
plicity In his personal and family life
by the president Of the United States,
one OF the most powerful rulers on
earth, has II wholesome influence not
only upon America, but also upon the
world Mt large"
When he landed in New York not
long ago Rev Mr.. Wagner said:
II love the American people. want
cd to see them In their own country
and TO know them personally. TO OBJ
tain that end learned their language
and here | am"
lie referred to the kind Of English
he was about to speak, saying he had
studied the English language only II
short while ago to tell the American
people of simplicity and that If any
accidents" occurred 1t would not be
by generalization.
II know that you are saying In your
hearts thnt II IL not possible to live the
simple life in this great city of rush
ing thought and energy, this city Of
tremendous activities and skyscrapers,"
he said, but tell you that It Is
at IL possible to live the simple life
on the twcnty-fourth floor of New
York skyscraper IN the midst OF all the
noise and confusion. The simple life
IL not II thing Of the first floor or the
fortleth, not OF the shoes or the waist
coat, but of the heart
once In Paris, that great city OF
dust and busy human life, | heard n
lark singing In n garden. lie was
prisoner, II IL true, But when | heard
him lifting up his voice to the blue sky
and ! remembered the freedom OF the
hills and the fields that had been mine
as boy, the walls ana houses of the
great city seemed to fade away. to
stretch out and expand
81 speak to YOU here in the center OF
one Of the most tremendous cities in
the world. sing my song of simpllci-
ty like lark In cagc-but II is II good
place to sing It, The more | stuGy
your national character here In Amer
lea the more ! look into the founda-
lions of your government, the more |
see Of your stupcndous energy, the
more | realize that nj the bottom OF II
all Is the simplicity of your national
character.
Il visited the White House Mt Wash
lngtou, | found there nothing OF the
grandeur of the homes of kings and
kniscrs, but the pure simplicity of
great people expressed In the home of
chief executive | was guest of
your president. | pressed his hand,
ana | had many long talks with him
upon the great questions of the day.
And again | felt that splendid sim
pllcity was ut the root OF your national
character Stay true to Your tradi-
tons; be true TO your convictions, The
human race demands It of YOU"
Dr. Wagner told how he came to
write THE Simple Life" lie was call
ell upon while u pastor IN Paris to
marry workman and his sweetheart.
One of the six witnesses was the
daughter OF Il great politician.
II talked TO them upon the beauty OF
living simply" he said "A few days
afterwnrd the young lady came TO me
70 ask me TO perform her marriage,