New-York tribune., 1919-01-14
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To the Edito,. of The Tribune

{ NlR: Four months ago | came to this
country on my first visit Most of the
time have taken YOUR paper daily
Lately have been much interested in your
attitude regarding the English people. and
note with pleasure that you recognize tho
desrabl!ity of a closer union between the
two English-speaking nations, Britain and
America.
came to this country w,th the hope of
discovering the explanation of the mental
makeup OF this people which has 50 rapidlv
attained the position OF moral leader. Of
the world. | do not pretend 20 have found
full answer yet. bat my aearch has led me
to some very definite conclusions along
other lines. Though it is trite, must say
that II only one would bear in mind the
others viewpoint in interpreting his actions
folks would get along much better.
hav' seen it said lately that the history
books read in school have great influence
on the outlook of men and women later in
life. remember when at school in England
the story of the Mayfower Pilgrims was
served up in such way that it invariably
produced the impression on Us that those
conscience obeying ancestors were martyrs
to US children the only difference between
Bishop Cranmer, who vas burned at the
stake in earlier times. and the MayAower
Pilgrims that Cranmer passed through
the flames TO heaven whilst the others sailed
IN 4 boat to America.
Many homes have visited in America
are proud TO have hanging on their walls
reproductions Of the Pilgrim Fathers In
one recently. as was looking at the picture
OF the two in their Quaker-like dress watch
ing the Mayhower sailing away from Amer
ica the master of the house sort of thought
he needed to help nc in an awkward situa-
ton. and said lelicatcly:
you know. in this country we think quite
lot of the early Pilgrims"
replied: $50 do we in England In fact.
| wonder TO whom these heroes really be-
long. England OF America? To both They
cover both countries with their halo of
glory. They were born and nurtured and
learned to fear God in England"
remember yet from the page of our
school books the representation of the May
flower sailing out from Plymouth. and can
still recall the spirit OF devotion IN the
goodby to England. Nee lless 20 ask who
wen TIE sympa ,hics of ell the frank hsar.ed
school children OF my Young days. pe4sccu-
tors or prosecuted.
Cur history books aust as frank in
handling the Joan of Arc inc dent OF earlier
times. The schoolbook pcturcs OF the
Maid Of Orleans on her horse riding at he
head o. the French army helped to make
her the heroine that she has ever been to
me, in common with all other English chill
dren. That is, Of course. Just a reflection
of the usual Anglo-Ssxon spirit Of true
craftsmanship.
Further on in our books our symp4thias
were invariably with the daring American
colonists who hlackenod the waters of Bos-
ton Harbor overnight with she tea that they
needed but would rather thus spill tban buy
it with the price of the surrender of what
they felt 10 be just. We all Of Us felt that
that was one of the wars that nded salts
factoriy never yet heard an English man
woman regret tie result of tho War OF
independence Of the American Colonies. No
mother regrets the birth o. her daughter
now grown and handsome. Shc may not
care to recall the actual birth pangs but
she glorles in her grown daughter and can
even stand being outgrown by her
Of course, the Very same history books
read in this country might produce dif-
fcrcnt effect. mean that over those Two
historical instances an English boy feels in
c]ined to say 10 America that he's sorry.
whereas an American might feel like the
injured party.
4 ~
may be in our getting along together II
chiefly owing to our lack of knowing and re-
menberng the others viewpoint
Spcaka in childran's fairy language.
would like to take all the American people
and drop them down in middle England and
tell Them that q fleet OF Curardcrs WAS wait
ing at Liverpool to take them back TO their
country, but they must walk all the way to
Liverpool. They would be interested in our
winding lanes, cur h gh hedges but these
would hinder their progress and narrow
their outlool.. The temptation to dswdic
and to linger on rustic bridge or in
she shadow OF centurics-old church would
surprise those who had till then thought
life was an arena Of business. Sitting
around chimney fireplace in an old
thatchcd cottage where was being brougn.
up the tenth generation within the SAM
walls, they would get thinking that ancient
and marrow surroundings can hut have
retarding influence en- the folks who
raised therein.
But more than overseas transportation of
the American people would like to take the
Inhabitants of Great Britain and drop them
somewhere iii Nebraska. would tell then.
TO run 10 the beach and paddle, The ex-
tensive country. not barred by hedges. nor
furrowed by lanes overgrown with ferns and
nut bushes. would write a deep lesson in
their hearts Immediately their thought
horizon would be extended. and while their
cousins far away dropping ciphers and