Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-28
REPUBLICS ARE REVERENT.
Englishman Shows Error in Morley's
Opinion of America.

The following letter has been addressed
TO the London Press by Sir Hugh Gilzean-
Reid, LID, who some months ago pre-
sided over the Worlds Press Parliament
at ST Louis and took part in functions in
numerous cities as guest of the authorities:
Sir: l had hoped that some one more
qualified to deal with it would have taken
notice of one criticism in the notable
speech Of Mr.. John Morley at Woolwich
Fresh from the United States of America,
he said:
IF democracy had any faults-of course
it had faults: it was only aristocracies and
oligarchies that mad no faults-it was that
it did not always feel or show reverence
He thought that was true of all democracies
that he had been brought into contact with
1t was tremendous defect
1T has recently been my privilege TO visit
several of the chief centers Of America and
10 meet freely large groups of men and
women from every state. authoritativelv
representing almost every interest: and /
found no such alarming defect as is here
indicated. What does one see or sampler
Millions Of Christians who in church and
daily life manifest the profoundest rever-
ence for tlfeir Spiritual Head; a general and
pathetic reverence of the ancient institu-
tons, the heroes, the writer's. the poets
and the stately homes of-aS it is con-
stanuy designated-'the mo,her country
at such gatherings as the annual confer
ences of the Sons and Daughters of the
Revolution, truly worshipful regard for
the men who fought for free and united
nation; and in the glorious soldiers homes
in different parts of the country a rever-
entail care for the aged warriors which
fills the soul with gratitude.
"A positive as well as a negative side is
TO be seen in all classes; the average we'll
TODD educated American. as wei as work
man, everywhere repudiates the mere wor-
ship of mere wealth, and freely dCnounces
the smart settle so-caIled -four hun
dred-who by 'cuteneSs, corners and com
bines have secured most OF the plums and
power; there is a distinct and growing ap-
probation of men because of their per-
sonal merits and clean Methods
There are hustlcrS enough in America.
multitudes hurrying on without fear of
God or man; and doubt the tendency
is not another side. Wherever one cares
to look, that other side Is conspicuous.
The names of Washington, Jefferson, Lin
coin and Garfield-aYe, and Of Hamilton,
Lee and Grant-are cherished Gas the die
uonaries explain the world in fear, min
gled with respect ana affection Take the
uniVerSities-Say at Columbia and Wash"
ington-and note there the calm, earnest
and philosophical pursuit and love of
learning. and the honor paid TO benedccnt
founders and enlightened heads; il is even
more impressive TO observe the thousands
of hish-minded, cultured women nursing
the sick, tending the aged and iniirm and
lifting up the social, educational and patri-
otic ideals of the people. Without the
spirit of reverence strongly mgrained and
ardently nouriShed sach things could not
be- and I venture, with all Difference, to
say that in this quality. which is essential
to true and lasting greatness. the mighty
republic will compare 1aVoraby with any
other country