WHAT IS AMERICANISM?

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 36, 27 September 1911, Page 3

WHAT IS AMERICANISM?

NEW YORK CONTROVERSY., y

American newspapers (writes -the;, New York correspondent of.,a,London, paper) are now jdeyp.ting their atten-.: Lion to summer correspondents, the foremost topics of discussion being; Why do American heiresses marry European noblemen? Why do Americans explore England before they have explored tho United States? and why doesn’t the New York Municipality compel the collection of house garbage by night, and thus save the men and horses working in the heat of the day ? On a recent morning one great Democratic organ suggests another absorbing subject: “What is true Amcri- t oanism ?” This paper denounces Americans who have accepted Orders and decorations from Europe, and par- • ticularly Mr Pierpont Morgan, for accepting the Grand Cross ,of the, Red , Eagle from the German - Emperor, j “Did not Morgan” asks the irascible editor of the “New York World,” “really buy the Grand Cross from the German Emperor? What other construction can be put upon the prompt exchange of the decoration for the Blither letter? So closely did the transaction resemble the pro-arrang-ied ‘deal’ ia which the cash is ready when the security is delivered that one may ha pardoned for suspecting a previous understanding. The Emperor handed over the Cross almost at the very moment lie received the letter.” And there is much more oi the same kind, which will not disturb Mr Morgan, whose enlightened patriotism in securing works oi art and treasures for Ameiica is greatly appreciated by his fellow’-citizens generally.

“The manifest trend of the American mind towards a vulgar over-estim-ate of artificial distinctions based upon birth, caste, and rank” is bitterly trounced, and wo arc sadly asked, “What must be the thought of those struggling and ’aspiring peoples 'who look to America for guidance and example when they see Americans sniggling and (lunkeying for European, decorations and the social patronage of a decaying nobility?” It is possible for the American Government to place a prohibitive duty upon, decorations which, now in greatly increased quantity, lind their way to those democratic- shores, hut no such proposal has been made. So far the discussion has not been very successful in defining what is “true Americanism.” Only recently an American bluejacket “of Greek birth” notice cd the Italian Hag Hying from the roof of a dwelling-house in .Jersey City, w hile the Stars and Stripes hung from the .second-story window. Amid the plaudits of the crowd, .Jack climbed up the house, tore down the Italian flag, and “throw it into the collar.” The police refused to interfere. .1 have seen English and other flags torn down here by ignorant citizens, who mistake vulgar stupidity for patriotism. The present discussion upon “What is true Americanism?” incidentally i does good by emphasising that toleration and respect for the flags of other nations is not inconsistent with the highest ideals,of American citizenship,, ; :i truth with which the average man here is in perfect sympathy, but which ■has not yet been learnt by lilhny' nar-row-minded jingoes, who exist hero, as elsewhere.