Winston
Churchill to Jack Churchill
15 November [1895] 763 Fifth Avenue
My dearest Jack,
I daresay Mamma showed you my letter of the 10th, which
gave an account of the voyage and such news as was to hand at that
time.
I am still staying with Mr. Bourke Cockran, whom you met in Paris,
in his very comfortable and convenient flat in 5th avenue.
We have postponed our departure from New York for three days -
as there was lots to see and do. On Sunday we start for Havana
by the route of Philadelphia - Washington - Savannah - Tampa Bay & Key
West - arriving there on Wednesday morning, all being well.
Mr. Cockran, who has great influence over here, procured us orders
to visit the Forts of the Harbour and West Point - which is the
American Sandhurst.
I am sure you will be horrified by some of the Regulations of
the Military Academy. The cadets enter from 19-22 & stay 4
years. This means that they are most of them 24 years of age. They
are not allowed to smoke - or have any money in their possession
nor are they given any leave except 2 months the 1st two
years. In fact they have far less liberty than any private school
boys in our country. I think such a state of things is positively
disgraceful and young men of 24 or 25 who would resign their personal
liberty to such an extent can never make good citizens or fine
soldiers. A child who rebels against that sort of control should
be whipped--so should a man who does not rebel.
The other night Mr. Cockran got the Fire Commissioners to come
with us and we alarmed four or five fire stations. This would have
interested you very much. On the alarm bell sounding the horses
at once rushed into the shafts - the harness fell on to them -
the men slid half dressed down a pole from their sleeping room
and in 5 ½ seconds the engine was galloping down the street to
the scene of the fire. An extraordinary feat which seems incredible
- unless you have seen it.
There is a great criminal trial going on now--of a man who shot
a fellow who had seduced his sister. I met the judge at dinner
the other night and he suggested my coming to hear the case. I
went and sat on the bench by his side. Quite a strange experience
and one which would be impossible in England. The Judge discussing
the evidence as it was given with me and generally making himself
socially agreeable - & all the while a pale miserable man was
fighting for his life. This is a very great country my dear Jack.
Not pretty or romantic but great and utilitarian. There seems to
be no such thing as reverence or tradition. Everything is eminently
practical and things are judged from a matter of fact standpoint.
Take for instance the Court house. No robes or wigs or uniformed
ushers. Nothing but a lot of men in black coats & tweed suits.
Judge prisoner jury counsel & warders all indiscriminately
mixed. But they manage to hang a man all the same, and that after
all is the great thing.
I saw Sunny last night & am dinning with the Vanderbilts this
evening. He is very pleased with himself and seems very fit. The
newspapers have abused him scurrilously.
But essence of American journalism is vulgarity divested of truth.
Their best papers write for a class of snotty housemaids and footmen & even
the nicest people here have so much vitiated their taste as to
appreciate the style.
I think - mind you that vulgarity is a sign of strength. A great,
crude, strong, young people are the Americans - like a boisterous
healthy boy among enervated but well bred ladies and gentlemen.
Some day Jack when you are older you must come out here and I think
you will feel as I feel--and think as I think today.
Picture to yourself the American people as a great lusty youth
- who treads on all your sensibilities - perpetrates every possible
horror of ill manners - whom neither age nor just tradition inspire
with reverence--but who moves about his affairs with a good hearted
freshness which may well be the envy of older nations of the earth.
Of course there are here charming people who are just as refined
and cultured as the best in any country in the world - but I believe
my impressions of the nation are broadly speaking correct.
I have written you quite a long letter - & cannot write again
today so send this to Mamma after reading.
With best love -
Ever your loving brother
Winston S. Churchill
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