And the little fleas have other fleas,
And so on, ad infinitum.”
It is funny, but it is sickening to an American who knows that in his country the son of the gardener may be President and the son of the President may be a gardener and either of them may be a gentleman if he is honest and straight and decent.
A thought which comes to me very strongly is that a little visiting in other countries not only makes a man a better American, but it gives him the knowledge that there are other bright, smart and able people besides those in the United States. The competition in this world is keen, and every country has its advantages and its disadvantages, its weak points and its strong points. There is no profit in belittling the other fellow. If I have dwelt most upon the differences between America and England, it is because they are the interesting things. There is no interest in what is the same at home and here. The English are a great people. A little country not as big as Kansas really dominates the financial and political world. Out of the false notions of medieval times they have built up constitutional liberty and have conferred its blessings upon others. England is the greatest commercial power on earth, and it is so because of Englishmen and not because of natural advantages or favored position. It is old and interesting, wealthy and powerful. It is good to look upon and pleasant to visit. But as for me, I am with the Kansan who wrote:
“I’ve been off on a journey—just got home to-day.
I’ve traveled north, and south, and east, and every other way.
I’ve seen a heap of country, and cities on the boom,
But I want to be in Kansas, where the sunflowers bloom.”
