The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-11-08
Macaulay and George.

Macaulay anu george.
Editor The Washington Es1Id:
have read with some interest Everett
Springs articles on Henry George and
the single tax theory. but it is extremely
exasperat!ng TO hear or discover in the
writings OF Henry George "a flow Of
language and eloquence Of diction" which
ranks him as the compeer Of Lord Ma
caulay." Such an assertion is as nom
sensical an exhibition Of rhOdomontade
and hyperboie as ever emanated from
the pen or was emitted from the lips
of the veriest tyro. Henry George was
a good man-in sense. a great one. He
was man Of earnest convictions, and he
was in close touch with public senu-
ment and prevailing opinion. he voiced
the passionate but confused and inartic-
ulate yearnings and aspirations OF the
toiling masses Of the human race and
family. whose hearts and minds he so ear
nestly and intelligently sought 20 cheer
and direct and whose interests and lib
critics he so fearlessly and devOtedly ad-
vocsted and promoted.
He never descended TO demagogic re-
sorts and practices. but was always self
possessed. definite, moderate. and reso-
lutte He was none the less q man
Of deep and ardent convictions and
a profound humanitarian. Small won
der. then. that his memory and
works should be so cherished and re-
garded by the people. But as be-
tween the literary gifts and attachments
Of Henry George and Thomas Darlington
Macaulay there IS a wide divergence, and
as broad a distinction as can be possibly
/ conceived by an enlightened and cult
waited understanding Macaulay was
scholar and a rhetoricfan. whose versa
tile talents and dazzling flights OF elo-
Quence were OF a singular order and ma
/ ture, devoted and addressed essentially to
class rather than 10 a people. His
/ brilliant essays were his prOudest title
works; for he was prominently an es-
sayist. Notwithstanding the splendid die
/ ton and literary adornments Of his (par-
/ tiaD History"
! On the other hand, Henry George was
an author OF an entirely different class.
/ His simple prose and distinctive style
I we're characteristics OF a man OF sound
/ common sense but Of medium attain
ments, whose precise terms and plain
/ diction commended his writings and were
/ singularly adapted 70 the apprehension
and discernmenJ OF the common multi
I tude. II was, therefore, the merest at
( fectation on the part OF Mr. Spring 70
pretend 10 have discovered any similarity
whatever In the work Of two such broadly
/ COntrasted public characters and OF such
entirely different schools OF thought as
I Macaulay and Henry George.
/ 1t IS 20 be feared that Everett Spring
has become badly infected with that COM
mon malady which manifests itself in
I the peculiar disposition OF its victims 70
( indulge mad freaks Of fancy and 70 mag
Nifty and eXaggeraJe the commonest &C.
( currences and the most trivial mental
. qualities 20 ridiculous lengths and pro-
I portions. Such seems 10 be the common
infatuatiOn IN this respect. that We are
no LONGER content 10 give q man credit
for being what he is, but must needs
exaIt him to heights OF which he never
so much as dreamed. and would fair
make gods Of common putty. But Ever
EFT Spring should know better. He 1,
a man Of some discernment, and, though
. apparently infected with this common
/ disorder. he should assUredIy be equal e
the occasion Of distinguishing one clas,
OF literary product from another, wheT
so singUlarIy contrasted as IS the in.
stance reverted 70.
u But as regards the merits and asserted
dement's and inadeQuacy OF the singl,
tax, which al present exercises the mind.
and are provocative OF contentious Of
| Mr.. Spring and other contributors u
The Washington HeTaIds columns, ar
chary Of entering the list On either side
since I have not studied the question as
I should have done, up 70 this time L
would appear, however. from what
have read on the subject, that none o.
the disputants have thus far quit,
grasped the full significance Of the singl,
tax theory. since. from what have gath
cred OF the authors meaning and purpose
land would only be taxed which wa.
luncultvated or held by private owners 70,
private purposes, with a view mainly. 10 Z
rise in prices In effect. then, If my sup
position has any basis OF Justification. 4
was the intention and purpose OF Henry
i George 10 tax only the Unearned incre
ment- In such case. I am IN hearty &C
cord with the proposition. which I take u
be grounded on the soundest principles O.
economy and utility. II I have formed al
erroneous conception Of the scope an,
purpose Of the single tax. / trust 10 b
enlightened regarding the subject through
the convenient medium Of The Herald
columns; otherwise. I must remain con
tent with the prospective pursuit Of Of
rect investigation by means Of resort {,
the pages Of the author and propounder O
the theory. In the meantime. I Ieav
Air. Spring in the hands OF the enemy.
T. S. CARLSYLE.