The Washington times., 1931-08-28
True to Type.
AMERICAN VIRTUE
GETS. A MEDAL
AND A DOUBT
Ry GILBERT SELDES-


grant you that it is unpatrotc but it is not seditious
for to believe that Bertrand Russell Gan Englishman
and early has a better mind than Vice President
Charles Curtis It is the privilege Of democraceS to be
governed by Curises and by Russes it is also their
privilege to make mean comments their rulers In
the present instance Mr. Russell. writing few weeks
in advance supplied criticism of the Vice President who
the other day. addressed the Loyal Order of Moose in
purely vice presidential terms.
Mr.. Vice President
The head of the Senate is proud of his country and
is grateful that we are nation "of home-loving and
home-building people who still believe that closely
united home of husband wife and children is Gods best
gift to man" Like Aldous Huxley (and myself
he believes that the fufment of domestic duty gives
higher pleasure than daliance on the primrose path
But there is something aggressive, a missionary ZEAL
hostility to others, in him. He makes comparisons
He feels obliged to point finger and to murmur
warning:
at is great misfortune to have to live in country
like some that exist today, where the odtme faith in
the home the true center of family life and in
lgiOn the true salvation Of man has been discarded
for other and different beliefs. sure you all will
agree with that country is the envied leader OF
an nations because have held unswervingly to our
ideals"
Who Envies Whom?
Statistics on our envability are not at hand, and
think l remember that even five years ago, when
were enved enough for our cash and credit and
not for morals However, it is not for me- but for
Mr. Russell to supply criticism His article which ap-
question of visitors to Paris and the moral holiday they
enjoy there and made the point that Americans and
not exist at home whereas the Frenchman travelling,
cares only for the things in foreign lands which
French in nature and spirit Russells explanation is
this:
The Frenchman' sway
'"The French, in building up their way in life, have
been thinking mainly of what agreeable to them
selves; while many Americans, and not few British,
under the influence of their lofty ethical Standards have
been thinking mainly of what would be good for their
neighbOrs. What is good for us is' aas' not always
agreeable though it is gratifying to think that
Uxvhof is
the pleasure to be derived from American civilization il
the aruistc pleasure Of reflecng upon the noble men
and it is producing, while for private dellgnt
countries based less exalted morality are more
agreeable. ~
they travel abroad patronize and enjoy things they
would not countenance at home.
Mr. Russell does not say that America is greater or
less great than France; he says that our intentions
differ that we want sasfactions for which the French
do not care, and that they have delights which we
crave but do not enjoy writing before S t4e sacTa "a.
supplies just enough doubt of leadership of the
envy of other nations and of the universal appeal OF
our ideals. ...
have received vehement, almost venomous letter
concerning recent shootng-not the murder OF little
children, but the wounding of New Jersey State
senator in the home of woman who was certainly NOT
his wife, Although the has not yet come to tral'
the letter guilt all around and begins with
prayer to God that the girl will be punished to the full
extent of the law with heavy underlining it asserts
that the deserves what he got adding only
respectable husband and wife understand my mean
ing" The letter is twice signed although anonymous;
signature is "A respectfully married young woman
SO years DID," and the other "A fullfledged Amer"
can"
And Virtuous One
The letter would not be of any significance if it did
not give itself away The cry for horsewhipping re
fined prostitutes" does not rise from any abstract
moral feeling; there is fear perhaps even envy The
best to please and satisfy her man. but men are beasts
and go elsewhere for other kinds of love- which she
describes in brutal terms Then comes autobiography:
from one wh children