The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-15

ms ana outs OF other governments is
by comparison and contrast, and 1
noticed that all of the Englishmen
who would deign to honor an Ameri-
can women by talking politics with
her, spoke of our government gem
orally in terms of their own. For in
stance when talking to one who
seemed as anxious to understand our
state divisions and local political con-
dittons, as 1 to understand his, after
1 had explained very painstakingly
how the states had their separate gov
ernments up to certain points, he ex-
claimed: ''Ah, I understand. You
have home rule
So when an Englishman showed any
interest in our affairs 1 always asked
him what he thought of our govern
nlent. our president and often what
would be his politics if he were in
America Ordinarily this last was too
big a thing for him to answer at
once because he is too conservative,
has too many, and too vital reasons
for his political affiliations to answer
off hand what to him is SO nom IN
tous Il question. SO he would come
back with many questions about the
tariff, financial matters and prohioi-
ton, usually prohibition in relation TO
raising government funds one OF the
san has to do is to explode the
fallacy that :he business of COM
Withou- Prejudice.
One of the most patient sources of
my political education was an excise
man VINO had travelled most extern
sively-all over the British Isles
had read omnivorously all political
creeds, even the American. He had
been in the employ of the British gov
eminent for almost third of CEN
tury and was almost the best informed
man on political and governmental
subjects of any whom l met abroad
And being an old friend he was indul-
gent of my Ignorance, answering all
of my questions fully and as he as
sured me without prejudice.
knew that when our president VS.
tied the king of England that he was
not put to bed under the embroidered
canopy, hand-done by the ladies OF
the court of Queen Charlotte, because
and this is a fine discrimination
because to sleep in this is one of the
prerogatives of royalty and not to be
conferred upon the head OF a Repup-
lican government, no matter now
large the country or how distinguished
the head But it is to be Kept Sa-
cred to the kings and heads of mon
archical governments, no matter now
insignificant the country or now
emptv and uneasy the head that
presses the royal pillow OF course
was disposed to resent the dlscrlml-
nation a little till 1 had seen the ped
with its century old canopy ana hahs
ings, then my ideas of sanitation III
modern brass bed, although L stun
think that our president would have
honored the bed if he would not mind
the ghosts that must Visit the creams
of some of the occupants
For British Reasons.
But after all these fine points had
been explained to me I asked Mr.. tx
ciseman what he thought of our pres
ent president, Mr.. Wilson, and would
he have voted for him had he been a
citizen of our country.
| He Immediately replied that he
thought he would and proceeded to
give his reasons. Reasons which you
will see We're British reasons and ur'-
| tenable to an American citizen, al
though perfectly reasonable to Brit
ish subject.
Yes" he said. yes, I think, un-
doubtedIy, l should have supported
Mr.. Wilson. No, I am not saying that
| / would have been permanently a
Democrat, but should have voted for
Mr.. Wilson on account of his foreign
policies"
Care you noting the fallacy of i'm
putting British reasoning to an Ameri-
can citizen?)
Il do not like your Mr.. Roosevelt,
although 1 am conceding that he is
one of the biggest men that America
has prod iced, the biggest statesman.
But 1 like Mr.. Wilson and would sup
port him because because we
can get so much better bargain out of
MIR. Wilson than we could out of Mr.
| Roosevelt
Notes on the Interview.
| Right then l made some little foot
notes on my memory: Item l. No
foreigner, however educated and as
he may think, unprejudiced, can real
! ly get the American feeling until he
is a regularly ordained citizen of
America. And by ordained my unex-
pressed idea was, consecrated to
/ America by residence and baptism
of blood if need be.
Item 2. The best critique on your
( own government is your own estimate
j if made intelligently and periodically.
Item 8. For what reason do we
elect our presidents? So that some
other government besides our own
may receive the blessing of the better