The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-18
FROA OTHER PENS
MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY.


1t is not the fault Of William Wal
dorf Astor that he was born in the
United States. He couldn't help it..
He would have been born in England
| If he could have arranged 1t. 1t must
be admitted that he did not get out Of
the United States as soon as he could.
On the contrary, he remained here sew
eral years after he was old enough to
go to England, and he even tried to
make the best of a bad mess by getting
to congress, in which he was defeated
by Roswell p. Flower and a majority
OF the voters in the New York district
which embraces Murray Hill and Cher
ry Hill.
But when he realized that money
would buy more consideration for him
| in England than in America he not
only went to London, but he re-
nounced his American citizenship and
he has been so much more English
than Englfshmen ever since that he
deserves more consideration from Ed
ward VII than he has ever received
We have never been enthusiastic about
the return to the United States by way
of an auction room of the flag of the
Chesapeake, which was LOST In battle
If born Englishman had bought that
souvenir Of a British victory over
Americans and presented it to a Brit
ish military museum 1t would have
seemed natural and proper act. But
when a man who was born American
does it he may be criticised by persons
who have prejudices on the subject of
patriotism. This feeling is very strong
in England. and while Mr.. Aston has
given uncommon evidence of his pas
sionate desire for title we fear that
he has not improved his chances of
success. Englishmen are likely to take
the same view that we take of a man
who fiaunts before the world the evil
dence of the misfortune of what was
once his country. To the credit of the,
human race be it said that there is no
precedent for Mr.. Astor's act William
waldorf Aston is the Man Without
Country Record.
TEACHING ENGLISH.
A school out east is particularly no
ted for teaching English. That is, un-
der it's ministrations. the pupils acquire
such a mastery of their own tongue as
to be able to say things clear and di-
rect. There is this advantage in such
power. 1t helps clarity misty impress
sions. It is not. probably, right to
claim 1t as the fun truth, but tt is SO
to a great extent, that the measure of
a persons knowledge is determined by
his ability to express 1t. But away from
this view OF the case. the art OF say
ing things well Is very pleasant one
It constitutes one Of the graces of life
that makes the personality attractive
This is a great thing. 1t Is one OF the
purposes of education. But 1t is often
neglected under the impression that
to know and be able to think is all
there is Of education. And this i'm
preston Is doing much injury to the
youth, by ignoring in their instruc-
lions the Importance of expression, as
life quality. There is. in fact. no
culture without 1t. A person who cam
not tell what he knows or say what he
thinks with some grace Of utterance
might as well belong to the happy So
ciety Of bronze statues. These things
are said that they may encourage
teachers to pay strict attention to the
boys and girls under their charge, In
order that they may acquire the habit
of speaking clearly, distinctly, intel
ngently. This is not merely an orna-
mental requirement. It contributes to
ones moral makeup by helping to for
mulate clear ideas of right and duty
Ohio State Journal.