| Dear
Joe, .
. . I'm not expecting anything but kicks for scoffing, and am
expecting a diminution of my bread and butter by it, but if Livy
will let me I will have my say. This nation is like all the others
that have been spewed upon the earth -- ready to shout for any
cause that will tickle its vanity or fill its pocket. What a hell
of a heaven it will be, when they get all these hypocrites assembled
there!
I
can't understand it! You are a public guide and teacher, Joe,
and are under a heavy responsibility to men, young and old; if
you teach your people -- as you teach me -- to hide their opinions
when they believe the flag is being abused and dishonored, lest
the utterance do them and a publisher a damage, how do you answer
for it to your conscience? You are sorry for me; in the fair way
of give and take, I am willing to be a little sorry for you.
However,
I seem to be going counter to my own Private Philosophy -- which
Livy won't allow me to publish -- because it would destroy me.
But I hope to see it in print before I die. I planned it 15 years
ago, and wrote it in '98. I've often tried to read it to Livy,
but she won't have it; it makes her melancholy. The truth always
has that effect on people. Would have, anyway, if they ever got
hold of a rag of it -- Which they don't.
You
are supposing that I am supposing that I am moved by a Large Patriotism,
and that I am distressed because our President has blundered up
to his neck in the Philippine mess; and that I am grieved because
this great big ignorant nation, which doesn't know even the A
B C facts of the Philippine episode, is in disgrace before the
sarcastic world -- drop that idea! I care nothing for the rest
-- I am only distressed and troubled because I am befouled by
these things. That is all. When I search myself away down deep,
I find this out. Whatever a man feels or thinks or does, there
is never any but one reason for it -- and that is a selfish one.
At
great inconvenience, and expense of precious time I went to the
chief synagogue the other night and talked in the interest of
a charity school of poor Jew girls. I know -- to the finest shades
-- the selfish ends that moved me; but no one else suspects. I
could give you the details if I had time. You would perceive how
true they are.
I've
written another article; you better hurry down and help Livy squelch
it.
She's
out pottering around somewhere, poor house-keeping slave; and
Clara is in the hands of the osteopath, getting the bronchitis
pulled and hauled out of her. It was a bad attack, and a little
disquieting. It came day before yesterday, and she hasn't sat
up till this afternoon. She is getting along satisfactorily, now.
Lots
of love to you all.
Mark.
Source:
Mark Twain's Letters (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1917)
Mark
Twain and Imperialism |
