The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-01-14
PASTOR WAGNER on AMERICA.
Tho Author or the simple Life Relates
His Impressions to the Parislans.

On the return OF NJ. Charles Wagner 70
| France after his recent lecture tour In the
| United States. he was interviewed by a
reporter of lie Temps about the things
he had seen, The French seem TO be much
less familiar with NJ. Wagner and his book
than people in America. for the French
| Journal finds II necessary 10 prefix TO the
interview an explanation Of who NJ. Wagner
Is and description OF his person. Some
OF his Impressions are interesting.
Speaking Of President Roosevelt. NJ.
Wagner said: 'On Sept. 20 | reached the
White House. The President came to me
with arms outstretched. There were four
persons only at dinner. Mrs. Roosevelt
West, the Presidents sister-in-law, who
speaks very pure French. had come from,
New York. How sorry l am NJ. Wagner.
said the President as We sat down. that
l could not receive you at my homo at
Oyster Bay. As an advocate OF the simple
life, you might have slept in the open air
as the more strenuous among us do Then
at once: Where are the boysr They
have just taken of their shoes after a
walk said some one. Make them come.
all the same said the President.
Il cav two charming little boys Of and
friend. must ask you & serious question.
When you sleep do you keep your hands
wide open or your fists clenched7' The
child thought and then soid energetcaly;
Il can't tell, because / am asleep The
President laughed heartily; the answer was
brief and to the point.
Il had already conveyed 10 the Chief
Magistrate Of the United States the per
sonal compliments Of which President
Loubet had asked me to be the bearer.
Then We had by turns in English, in French,
In German, a long talk that extended late
into the evening, on all sorts Of questions
relating TO public education and to good
will between citizens and nations. Several
times when / put stress on my scheme Of
simplieed and unified hfe the p esident
said TO me: My dear Mr.. Wagner ! cannot
tell you enough TO what degiee ! agree
with your ideal
i was greatly interested by Mr.. Roose-
velt's personality. He Is one OF those men
who are on an equality with everybody
because they are OF all heights; close TO
the humblest, equal TO the greatest. At
the same time he remains true American.
representing the best elements of his
country. He loves France and takes
pleasure in recalling that he and Mira.
Roosevelt are descendants OF a French
Huguenot family. What impressed me
most in his character full OF energy and
decision. was his family Affect on. DO
you see he said to me, the elementary
family feelings which are common to us all,
are the cornerstone OF human societies..
Regarding American audiences NJ;
Wagner said; For sixty days talked
lie.
sometimes of France IN clubs universities,
schools, churches Of all denominations and
theatres. | shall never forget my impress
sion on finding myself after leaving the
train alone facing new audience. A
short presentat ion in u reception room ne xt
the hall. There crowded clergymen of all
kinds, very often. too. which delighted me,
Catholic priests then professors, business
men, physicians. II IL not for me TO tell
you how the public received me. But the
essentially human and binding doctrine
contained in my writ ings created at once
among all these men common ground.
We have spent unforgettabe hours in
fraternizing with the pure substance Of
humanity above all barriers Of interest,
of class and OF dogma.
For instance. spoke to 2, 500 Jews at the
Temple Emanu-El synagogue At st. Paul
l had a long talk with Archbishop Ireland.
in which his love for France was constantly
shown. In frank talks with this patriarch
OF lDtTdI AalUOuNlhlils dDDDL WUOIu dI I'M
mense city has grown up within thirty years.
and who has the gospels preached in four
teen different languages to as many frag-
ments Of nAtionalities joined together in
America, | felt once more that the religion
OF the heart does not permit exclusions.
How often had had the same impression
when talking with priests OF a Catholicism
without anathema.
y return TO France comforted by the
sight OF what liberty can accomplish.
true democracy can stand contradictions.
IL saves Itself precisely through those
fortunate contradictions that are the very
logic OF life. The enemy has good quail
ties, believe me, II life Is fine balance
between contrary forces the logic OF in
tolerance by suppressing contradictions
suppTesses life.
Wherever | have gone she was acclaimed.
Everywhere I saw nothing but demonstra-
tons on behalf Of our Republic and OF the
land which wishes for others all that it
wishes for itself Everywhere the French
and American colors were blended, on stages
and on galleries. they draped the tables
and adorned buttonholes. At Philadelphia,
where my comrade and received honorary
doctors degrees from the university, the
immense hall was draped in red. white and
blue. Not a single American speaker who
undertook 10 present me 10 an audience
failed 70 pay q warm tribute TO France.
The last incident in my stay gives me
great patriotic satisfaction. delivered
a lecture in French, at Mrs. Rooseyelts
request, In the parlors OF the White House
on Unknown France before the President
and his family, the Ambassador OF France
and his wife and some hundred others.
L spoke Of our laborious and economical
people; Of the little houses whore so much
energy and Joyous activity lie concealed;
OF family life: Of the great educational,
scientific. humanitarian work that Is going
on among us; Of the action Of social pene-
tration; OF all that Is being done silently
for the future for more justice and more
good will. There Is something new there
for all strangers who know only our Paris
by night and have no idea Of the morning
Paris.
Il shall publish an account Of my journey.
with all the good and fine things I have
seen. II is an immense work. But we
must no longer dwell in the marvellous
edihoes OF modern civilization With the
souls Of troglodytes.'
A Complaint OF the Postal Service