Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-06
BACKGROUND OF EVENTS
BY PAUL Y. COLLINS.

ceasing to be the type and model OF
poIiteness, q President Immediately sug.
gests itself as more economical cnlel
isThe unouestioned functions in the
model Republic Of that officer are now
manifestly reduced to shaking HANDS:
To us it appears very questionable II
even Presidentship can for any length
ened period continue on Eucn conol-
tons, but few who win rsfiect on the
matter will be ready 10 affirm that the
kinrly once can long subsist on such
conditions.
'"The analogy Of the discipline Of the
Navy and Army is before US all, and no
one would affirm that the service could
be carried on. even that Of Republican
countries, If the captain Of man-of-
war or the colonel of a regiment shook
hands with his men
X x X
The writer OF the article continued
his protest. laying down the headings
of his thesis by saying:
First. That to take mans hand
and with 1t to agitate his arm is not
to salute him.
has been introduced it has superseded
the salute.
Third. That salute is the basis of all
discipline.
Fourth. That no human society mas
been constituted without it, as shown
by the earliest Of recorded usages and
etymology.
Fifth. That such practice has never
appeared among any people. whether
flourishing or decaying, until the pres
ent time. (The middle of the nineteenth
century?)
c,t.kt. rTt,.3 a. o,.oo-ol Z, rzv,ri.nA
as one of the corrupt practices con-
nected with the solicitation of votes for
seats in Parliament. Query: Where
did Mr.. Hoover acquire the shake hands
corrupt practice II he never applied for
British registration? Murder win
out!')
This British writer of so years ago
seems to deplore the passing of the sa-
lutte, superseded by the handshake. Why
not revert, then to the military salute
to the President, in lieu of squeezing
his digits? In fact, there are many oth-
er substitutes for the modern hand
shake.
Undoubtedly If our Vice President
should ever become Chief Magistrate,
| he could naturally use the Indian sa-
lutte, which consists in rubbing each
others arms and breasts, as well as their
own. Anybody can say "How?"-the
Injun "Howdy."
Travellers report other ancient and
honorable forms of salute. with far
greater lineage than the handshake. For
instance, the Fuegians pat and slap
each others backs. Some hale fellows
in America ape the Fuegians. The An
daman Islanders salute by blowing into
one another's hands, with a cooling
sound: an Indian tribe on the coast OF
the Gulf of Mexico used to salute by
blowing into each others ears-but some
politicians In America also whisper like
that.
r. y **
Now that women's rights have be-
come recognized, why avoid the form Of
salute so familiar In most Latin coun-
tries-a warm embrace and a kiss on
each cheek? kissing Is unknown to
half the world-but It Is easily taught.
Where the folks don't know how to kiss,
they rub noses and smell each other.
That Is not half so wearing on lipsticks.
but it has its drawbacks. Not one OF
these Oriental salutes results in Grip
pied hands, hence their consideration Is
urged upon the cabinet and the League
Of Notions.
kissing has been used with success
since the days of Jacob and Esau. It
is still favored in certain ceremonies,
notably In audience by the Pope, al
though it is no longer found obligatory
to kiss the Pope's toe.
The girl Of Mandalay was wasting
kisses on 'eathen idol made of mud"
That may do all right In Indian, but
there are more up-to-date customs In
America. even aside from holiday
hands, which might be considered by
our august President.
tcopyright, 1879, By Paul Y. CeIiins.)