The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-21

thunder storms Of passion and OF inter
national rivalry. such as arouse both the
best and the worst instincts OF mankind
To this intense struggle for territorial ex-
pansion and supremacy, which has
marked the closing years OF the 10Th cen
tury. there attaches an interest not less
absorbing than that which attached TO
the outbursts OF purely national feeling.
which called forth from Homer the story
OF the long -robed Helen or from Virgil
the praises OF the pious Aeneas.
NEW ERA OF IMPERIALISM
Nor have there been wanting writer's
OF genius TO perceive the literary possi-
bilities of the new era OF imperialism.
Has not Germany given us a Friederich
Nietzsche boldly declaring his admra-
ton for the few great men. the master
spirits OF the age. the super-men as
Bernard Shaw has happily named them.
and expressing profound contempt for
the many who have failed In the struggle
for existence. II Is n significant sign Of
the spirit OF the time that In Germany
Nietzsche's exaggeration Of the theory OF
natural selection has become the most
popular of all PHILOSOPHERS.
But while the German people have been
eiriiis -es fHeeStt+tt tt1--t r1-7tu75f Tru=
bitions OF young and powerful nation.
how stands the case With the English
and with ourselves? Has the movement
for expansion. now so marked In the field
OF politics and OF economies. failed en-
tirely 20 leave its impress on our litcra-
ture? Surely we must answer no. for az
least one author OF genius has raised his
voice In an appeal 20 Jehovah NJ the
Thunders. Lord God % Battles" and
again 20 the Lord OF our far-fung battle
line" Rudyard Kipling has perceived the
gh yet true idealism which pcrvadcs
tho British soldiery ~ the day, and has
dared in hts own robust way 70 celebrate
their virtues and their vices alike
Further. American literature has shown
much OF the same tendency for. before
his untimely death. Richard Hovey. the
originator OF the newspaper battle-cry.
Remember the Maine" gave US fine
Interpretation Of the new spirit that was
moving In our hearts
He would be rash indeed who should as
sert that the stern has no place IN lltera-
ture Especially refreshing must such
o manifestation be. when as in this case
n In a reaction against the sickh pessi-
mism OF the third quarter OF tho century.
a MEAN RETURN.
But virilitv. and even justice itself. are
characteristic of warriors and no litcra.
turc which confines itself 20 the por-
trasal of these can ever attain tho high
est rank The world could nI-nfford In
let It's imaginative faculties occupy them
selves solely or even mainly with these
ideals. That would mean "a return 10
the comparable haNaetfN or our uu-
cestors. sympathy with nature and with
the joys and sorrows Of humanity must
sofien the natural brutality ~ human
nature before 90 is ~ for the achievement
OF . high type o. literary work Precisely
az this point n is that our lmperialistlc
literature shows its greatest defect
Yet. while we must protect against an
exaggerated Imperialism I'm literature.
nfcd mat pfNNcnt uS nom admiring its
finer aspects Surely he g. not hopelossly
stern or severe. who IN momentary re-
voi- against his own ideals can delight us
witf such words as these:
"The tumult and the shouting dies.
The captains and the kings depart.
still stands thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart