H. L. Mencken's theories of the " American language " met the ridicule of speakers before the Conference of British and American Professors of English at Columbia. Dr. Henry Van Dyke of Princeton referred to the suggestion of an American language as being either " a specimen of American humor " or " a serious enormity." Dr. F. N. Scott, of Michigan, speaking of Mr. Mencken's translation of the Declaration of Independence said: " That Mr. Mencken has failed to perceive the gulf between the sterile vulgarity of his performance and the massive...
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