The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29
BY JAMES b. MORROW.

While other men can see only farms,
factories, mines, mills, banks, and rail-
ways. John Barrett, whose eyes are tel
escopic and presageful, looks over oceans
and mountain ranges and comprehends
whole races OF peoples and both heml-
spheres
The Orient-particularly China, Japan,
and the notwithstanding cotton and
other essential and gainful things. was
lnrge within his illimitabie vision long
before the United States, bound TO the
treadmill OF the present and the home
market. perceived its worldwide and
waiting chances. John Barrett plays the
music OF materialism and nations are HIS
notes. He is the poet OF modernism. but
he writes in dollars, pounds, yen, taels.
and francs instead OF words. An artist
his picture is q steaming and smoking
world with men at work. The altruistic
brother Of the human race in principle.
he is entirely American and natlonalistic
in his achieving and jealous perform
Rnces.
Cali for John Barrett.
Unconditional and sternly practical. FL
thu Root Is likewise imaginative, con-
structive, and syntheticaL He behoids
the elements and in the chemistry and
sorcery OF his genius persuades them to
assemble. Like James G. Blaine that
other brilliant and prophetic Secretary Of
State. he included Latin-America IN the
broad outlines OF his thoughts and poll
cies. He sailed down one coast and up
the other on an epOch-making and recon-
Cling mission. II Buenos Ayres he saw a
harbor full Of ships, but he looked In vain
for the flag of the United States Then
he summoned John Barrett. who. riding
thirty-one days on muleback through hills
and jungles, made prompt answer to the
order.
Other famous men had called John
Barrett Twelve years before, Grover
Cleveland had sent him on d state err
rand 10 Siam, remote and mysterious. At
McKirley's urging, he had explained the
Philippine question on the stump. from
his native village IN Vermont to his home
IN Oregon. Roosevelt had dispatched him
10 Argentina. Panama. and Colombia. and
IN each instance 70 meet a pressing or
delicate situation. Since 1906. twenty
two nations agreeing, John Barrett, dip
lomat and drummer. has been director OF
the International Bureau Of the American
Republics. His personal story has the
breeze and action OF a novel OF romantic
adventure
'Is hustle. in your case, an inheritance
or a habit?" / inquired.
John Barrett. tall. heavy-chested. deep
voiced and hearty, was Enthusiastically en-
barrassed. Perhaps he had thought I
meant TO ask him something profess
sional and lofty-to contrast the subtety
and treachery Of TaIleyrand, for instance.
with the integrity, candor. and sagacity
Of Benjamin Franklin. We were In his
office. The late afternoon was moist and
hot. He looked at me for a moment and
then made a diplomatic pretense Of put
ting on his coat.
We'll" he said. sitting down again and
catching at his breath. It should say
that 1t was the natural development OF
copditions Realizing that I had TO hus-
tie, attempted to adjust myself to cir
cuJnstances."
rs it true that you paid your way
through college with money earned as a
farm laborer?'
worked rs Farm LnbOrer.
Yes: worked three summers Tor far
mers in my neighborhocd. But I did
good many other things won scholar
ship at Dartmouth that was worth 500 or
800 year. was the college correspondent /
Of several New York and Boston news
papers. 1 managed a boarding club part
Of the time wrote items for a local
paper and learned to set type, thus quail
flying myself for honorary membership In
the typographical Union 1 sold sporting
goods TO college athletes for city dealers.
] clerked I'm a summer hotel for one sea-
son. For three winters 1 taught a cOuD
try school. Meanwhile. I kept In step
with my class in every subject OF a reg
lar course.
In the fall term OF my senior year 1
was hard up for money. I wanted to
graduate properly-tO wear a frOck coat
and a silk hat Through friend, 1
arranged to write up the South from
native Yankee standpoint for a syndicate
Of New England papers. I Travelled from
Virginia 10 Texas. Mrs. Jefferson Davis
entertained me ar dinner. Henry w.
Grady, the Atlanta editor and orator.
sent me a complimentary letter. While III
Nashville, Tenn, I attended Vanderbilt
University. simply to keep in rhythm
with my studies I returned to Dart
mouth IN January and"
WAS graduated property" I inter
Tupted.
Yes: ] brought $500 from the South
and Immediately negotiated for a long
coat and a high hat. Notwithstanding
my repeated absences from college I was
graduated among the first half of my
class
1T is only fair that I should tell you
why I had to do so much for myself"
John Barrett went on to say MY father
was an old-fashioned New England gen
tleman-an alumnus of Dartmouth. who
read Hebrew. Greek. and French as a
daily entertainment Longfellow. Whit
tier Lowell, Bryant, and Holmes were
guests at our house. My father was one /
of the bulwarks Of Grafton. He acted for
the village In all matters Intellectual
never heard a coarse word pass his lips !
He was the most refined man I have
ever known. He lived plainly, paid his
debts and the Congregational minister. !
but he had no surplus at the end Of the /
year.
starts for the Coast.
II was not surprised. therefore. when he |
Informed me that he couldn't give me any
money for a college education. Butt was
determined to maintain the Barrett stand |
ard. During two years at the academy, |
where 1 paid my way by all sorts Of /
shifts, and four years at college, six IN /
all. I hardly had time to draw a long
breath. I actually hadn't a single day to
myself Law came into my plans while |
z senior at Dartmouth. l would teach |
for a year and accumulate some working |
capital. One day a friend who had been |
IN the class ahead Of me telegraphed !
from California IF you want a place |
as teacher Of English at Hopkins Acad- |
emy Oakland. he said. at 500 a year
and board start Immediately
Il had never been west of Lake Cham |
plain. To me California sounded and |
seemed Ike a foreign land. I consulted !
my father and mother and in twenty |
four hours was making a Decline for the |
Rocky Mountains. 1 arrived at the Six |