The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-22
euglielmo Ferrero in LIE Figaro.


TN the course of my recent journey to
the United States 1 did not become
= acquainted with Hartman. I was in
vited to take luncheon with him, two or
three days before the time set for my de-
parture to Europe. But, at the very last
moment, was Obliged to excuse myself
One mornfng. at my hotel, 1 received a
visit from young man. thin, clean-shav-
en-, with gold-rmmed spectacles,
sweet smile, kindly eyes, a gentle voice,
and the face of an ascetic. Both physical
ly and morally he impressed me as a sort
of combination of mystical Puritan and
newspaper man. This young man, l
learned. was one of those writer's who had
been carrying on with most ardor the
great campaign against high finance. In
q style having at once the flavor of
sermon and a newspaper article, he de-
scribed to me the progress of corruption
in his native land, the social dissolution
that menaced the republic, the danger for
American civilization that was persona
fed in the new 'satraps of capital"
Apropos of these satraps, the conversa-
ton turned to Mr.. Hartman. The young
man inquired whether I knew him. I
answered that l did not.
"Too bad" he rejoined. "In him you
might see the ultimate incarnation of this
evil force. He is a man of superior
sort-there is no denying that. But 1t is
no less certain that he has made ting most
detestable use of his brilliant qualities.
He balks at nothing in satisfying his dia-
bolical ambition. Great men like Harri-
man will eventually destroy America I'M
less we succeed In overthrowing their
fatal power"
Some days after that I was dining at
the home of a wealthy family. The mis-
tress of the house. very pious Catholic.
asked me, in her turn, whether I was ac-
ouainted with Mr.. Hartman.
''Try to meet him." she said to me, ''he
will interest you very deeply I know
him. Few people have given me such
vivid impression of strength and great
ness"
Then, discreetly I spoke OF the very
severe criticism which had heard leveled
at Hartman.
And finally, to cap this rather reserved
piece of praise, heard but a few nights
ago an enthusiastic defense of the great
railroad man.. The most curious thing
about 1t was that his defender was not an
American, but a European.
Often, since my return to Europe,
have thought of these three opinions ex-
pressed about the same man by three per-
sons who were equally sincere In these
three judgments is concentrated all the
leaven of discord now troubling the
United States, as 1t has troubled, moro
or less seriously, all other civilizations.
For all three of these people were right,
each according to his or her point of
view.
If one admits that it is much better
for a man to vanquish himself and his
evil instincts rather than extend his
power over the forces and riches of ma
ture, then we must call the Puritan right.
To accept the opposite view is to side with
| the European banker. If one is unable
TO decide upon either of the two points of
| view, there is nothing left but to follow
the example Of the pious lady; in other
words, to admire powerful personalities
on account of the good that they do. and.
in so far as their defects are concerned,
to leave them to divine justice.
| To reconcile the two antagonistic views
in theory and practice is an extremely
difficult task Old civilizations alone
seem to succeed In doing this, and they
only after long and painful struggles
For the time being the Americans are
not thinking in the least about such rec
onciliation, which fact explains, perhaps,
why the fight against the financial oil
garchy is so strong in America; why, in
| this fight, both sides avail themselves of
extreme arguments like that used by my
European banker. Had he not in truth.
| sought to defend Mr.. Hartman by in
voking the doctrine of the "Superman?"
| Ancient though it may be, doubt II
this doctrne,has much chance Of becom-
! ing popular in future in the United
States. In Europe people like to tell each
| other that the Americans like all young
| nations. worship strength energy and
extraordinary Municipalities. Perhaps.
But all that / saw leads me rather to be-
lieve that the American democracy has
no>more love than have other democracies
for forces in their midst-individual or