Adams, Adeline: The spirit of American sculpture (New York: Nat. Sculpture Soc., 1923)

232
THE SPIRIT OF
though loaves are wasted thereby.
Every lover of our country will wish
its culture to remain at once hospitable
and self-respecting; both characteris-
tics may dwell harmoniously together.
In spite of superficial indications
such as those offered by the names in a
city telephone directory, the core and
nucleus of general culture in the Uni-
ted States remains English-speaking;
more, it remains true to ideals of hu-
man conduct and human responsibility
that have been fruitfully developed
and cherished by the English-speaking
peoples. Whatever lightly-accepted
beliefs there may be in regard to this
matter, I am persuaded that the broad
basis of American culture is and will
be our Puritanism. Not the narrow,
mote-seeking Puritanism of past story,
but an enlightened, liberating Puritan-
ism, with perceptions and pardons for
others, and with questionings as to
its own supposed superiorities; a Puri-
XI
INFLUENCES