The sun., 1916-09-24

haps. Of all It's history. for "ths rural
beauty Of its youth was gone, the
tasteful elegance OF its maturity had
not yet come" Webster and Clay.
cas-. Houston. Benton. Calhoun.
Soule. Douglas and Jefferson Davis
were in the Senate. In the House
were Horace Mann, Thaddeus Ste.
vens. Alexander H. Stephens, Robert
Toombs. Samuel F. vinton. Andrew
Johnson. John L. schoolcraft and A.
M. Schermerhorn. Mr.. Seward had an
eye for the wings.
With the political r~scollections Of
this period are mingled those Of news
paper work In the ONCE Of Thurlow
Weeds Albany Evswin0 Journal and
Of kossuth's visit, OF his experience
in that famous ONCE and under
Weeds competent tutorship MI.
Seward says:
when I hrst TOOK pen IN hand II Mr..
Weed CAV nj two valuable maxims for
my guidance: "First. never write any
article without some clear n definite
point and purpose. Second. when written.
20 carefully over II and strike out every
superiuous word or sentence. and then see
how much you have improved g." He re-.
marked: "Peopis have 70 cit and listen to
. sermon or . speech that may be full Of
rambling repetitions. But whom they nnd
the newspaper growing dull or tedious they
simply lay Il down and don take It up
again."
A particularly interesting paragraph
In this part Of the book Is called "a
new word" and introduces q fellow
worker. z. Peshine Smith. who was a
lover Of linguistic problems" Smith
said: TT Is time that VIC invented q
word to take the place of our cumbrous
phrase ~'telegraphic despatch or 'teie-
graphic message" Asked for q sug-
gestion. no proved his preparedness
with the quick response: Telegram
That IL Of Greek origin like telegraph
and IL q perfectly proper derivativs.
Telegraph 10 the machine that writes.
Telegram 10 the thing that II writes.
II 10 analogous to 'episram.' 'anagram'
and monogram" Whether or not his
etymoloy was entirely classic. the
suggestion was accepted. and the new
word began to appear in the newspaper
the next day.
But, 30 the story runs. the invention
aid not catch on. BY some persons II
was rejected a. an a~ffectation. But
half q year later Smith came into the
ONCE triumphantly waving . COPY Of
the London Times. "See." he said:
tho 'Thunderer' has got bur word,
and. what Is more. applauds II as .
very convenient a~bbreviation. Mr..
Seward asked. docs II call Il an
Americanism?" "No." was the reply;
"just uses IT," With this authoritative
Endorsement. We are told. the word
soon became current.
Mr.. Seward tells amusingly Of the
visit. in accordance with diplomatic
etiquette when the head Of q Govern.
! ment Is changed. Of our representative
ut the court Of one OF the Barbary
| States to his Highness the Bey to an
nounce the succession Of Rutherford
| b. Hayes to the Presidency:
when the formal ceremony wss ever
| the Bey signiaed he would like - have q
iittls private conversation with the Min
lister. Said he:
what has become OF General ofantf~
lie re,ires from his position 70 give
! c,a~s 80 Mr.. Havea"
was the lighting bloody. or long con.
tinued? Wal Washington captursd?"
"oh. no. your Majesty! All Was peace.
| able and conducted in order"
And what proportion OF the army doss
General Grant taks with himf And what
part Of the public treasure 10 allowed "a
him ="
None at ell. your Ma5ssty. Genera
Grant simply becomes . private citissn."
How" exclaimed the Bsy. - private
| citizen, Why. We have been hearing for
years that this General Grant was one OF
the greatest military commanders OF the
age. And now II seems he has surren'
dered his Capitol. abandoned his army
and given UP his revenues to his successor
all without even striking . blow. Allah
II Allah! God II great. but this 10 incom'
prehensihle."
America has to go TO the older con-
tinents to gain a true appreciation OF
the virtues OF It's civilization.