The Author of "The Simple Life" Sets
Forth in Friendly Terms His
Impressions of America.
Charles Wagner, the author of "The Simple Life," has published a volume,
"Vers le Coeur de l'Amerique" ("Toward the Heart of America"), in which
are recorded his impressions of the United States as gathered during his
visit here in the fall of 1904. He is no globe-trotting critic, nor is he
a collector of statistics; he gives merely an account of what he has seen.
Of President Roosevelt the famous French pastor holds a high opinion, as
this bit of appreciation indicates:
A man in sympathy with the humble; equal to all emergencies;
as great as the greatest; truly a man, one of those who do
most honor to the human family.
One feels that he is ready for any struggle; willing to step
behind the gun himself, if need be. Thus in regard to
subjects relating to public spirit, nothing which might
contribute to promoting a mutual understanding among
American citizens leaves him indifferent. He often says that
that which is important for the welfare and the power of the
people is not so much the existence of a few isolated
characters of extraordinary powers as a good general level
of public spirit.
Effort, individual energy, the sentiment of responsibility,
a primordial decision to go straight ahead and not be
diverted--all this, combined with a sociable disposition and
a willingness not to go to the end of one's right out of
regard for one's neighbor, is what he most appreciates.
As a pastor, M. Wagner was struck by the depth of religious feeling in the
United States. The great diversity of creeds signified to him vitality and
liberty, not the loss of a central belief. He was surprised, too, to find
such cordial relations existing among different sects.
In our schools, he says, it is possible to trace the universality of the
ideals of democratic government. The public schools are the mills to which
comes the grist of immigration, to be ground into American citizens.
To the American character he admits the advantages of youth--sincerity,
frankness, prompt initiative; and with these, the maturer qualities of
endurance and patient wisdom.
The strength of the country, concludes this most kindly of observers, is
in four strongholds. The first is religious faith. The Americans, he says,
are a religious nation by heredity as well as by conviction. The second
stronghold is the belief in liberty:
Our old Europe shows us states whose entire politics consist in hindering
the development of men and institutions. There law takes the form of a
systematic prohibition, initiative is regarded as lack of discipline,
independence of mind as an act or a beginning of treason. America believes
in liberty as she believes in God; and, as she believes in the God of
others, she also believes in the liberty of others. To individuality there
is left an unlimited field. From childhood, strength of character is
encouraged. Each one is expected to show himself in the fulness of his
originality; all he is asked in return is to respect the right of his
neighbor.
Though Pastor Wagner recognizes our country's originality in questionable
financial schemes, he thinks that on the whole our relations are marked by
sincerity and conscientiousness. Therefore, he names honesty as our third
stronghold.
The fourth is respect for women. Custom makes slaves of women in France,
while in America our national respect for them gives them freedom and the
opportunity to develop.