The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-07

languages, or write DOCKS ABOUT nOxh-
ing at all, in passable English, or be
at home in the social capitals of the
world, but If their minds, morals and
tastes are those of degenerates they
are not cultured.
Yes, culture is enlightenment OF
civilization" But that is good only
so far as 1t goes. Between you and
me we need more light On our en-.
lightenment. We need light enough
to see and recognize in our civiliza.
ton those forces which are pulling
us down into darkest savagery.
For all practical purposes If one
thinks like Hottentot, feels like
Hottentot, and acts like a Hot
tentot, one is a Hottentot.
They tell me that "bouillon Is q
cultural media" And that must be
so because so much of ur culture
these days is Gin the SOUP"
1t seems never to haze occurred to
some of us that culture is not q
means to an end but is in itself an
end We desire culture for what we
think it will bring us; not because
we understand that culture is way
of living and wish to live that way.
The one who has little culture often
talks mucl about it; while those who
have most seldom speak of it.
There is nothing in the world that
can be counterfeited with such uni
versal success, and there is no coun-
terfeit thing that is so EASILY detected.
Those who possess the genuine
thing never boast of having it, but
those who have the counterfeit cry
their possession from the housetops
for fear they will not be recognized
as one of the elect.
The authorities say: "Of all spe-
cies of fish except shad those of the
salmon family prove to be the best
adapted for artificial culture" But
am not so sure about that; it is my
opinion that the authorities are in
error. They seem not to be acquaint-
ed with certain queer fish with which
| am familiar. Shad and salmon may
be fairly good for some cultural pur-
poses, but l doubt if anything that
swims in river, lake or sea can COM
pare with certain human fish in adapt
ability for artificial culture.
Do you suppose, though, that there
may be difference between artificial
culture and culture which is artificial?
And do you know, by any chance, If
the shad and salmon receive this ar
tifciaI culture in schools?
sat at dinner, one time, with a
goodly company of people. They were
painters, sculptors, writer's and others
who like to have such around.
still have an uneasy feeling that
the conversation would have been
edifying to me if only could have
discovered what it was all about.
At last a faint CLEAN of light pene-
trated the darkness which enveloped
me- One of the he-authors drove home
the point of whatever it was he
thought he was saying with a French
phrase, and a distinct cultural thrill
went round the board.
81 beg your pardon" said l, tim
idly, but | do not understand French.
Just what did you say?'
A plying silence followed my humil-
iating confession. The gentleman gra-
ciously condescended to explain j:
"Why, you see, Wright" he murmured
gently, there are some ideas and
thoughts which | simply cannot ex-
press in English, you know"
"Oh," said humbly, but was there
not writer called Shakespeare, who
did fairly well in English? And there
was one Emerson, believe, who is
generally credited with having thought
a few man-sized thinks. And | have
heard of one or two others. Do you,
sir, really have ideas and thoughts
which you cannot express in English
l envy you! More than ever before
l wish now that understood French"
The silence became trifle thicker.
The man with the thoughts which
could not be expressed in English,
said nothing. but he did not look hap
py.
Then, for once in my life, ! was In
spired; it came in one great, glorious
flash: "As a matter of fact, sir"
said, "yOu do not understand French,
do you? That French phrase which
you used you CLEANED from book of
phrases like the STANDARD Dictionary
of Facts"
And, sure as you live, had hit on
the exact truth Of that high-browed
fishs culture.
Never since that day when Balaam's
ass rebuked her rider has human intel
ligence been treated to such exhibit
tons of colossal impudence as these
asses show at every opportunity. And
the scriptural ass was justified. She,
poor beast, was caught in jam be-
tween the angels sword and Balaam's
cudgel. But these artificial cultural
asses have not the shadow of an ex-
cuse for their impudent mouthings.
Verify, it is letter to Think in one
language than to be thoughtless in
several
A culture-hero fine is IAN. pre-
historic hero regarded as the author
of an advanced culture and civiliza-
tiOn."
There is an ambition for you, my
hero-worshiping, medal-craving young
friend To be the author of AN ad-
vanced civilization To look with brave
understanding upon this savage, self
ish, heartless, warning civilization of
ours, and to be the author of some
thing better To awaken your genera
ton to the true meaning and value
of <.rrlt huc