Quote: Americans are the only race which passed directly from barbarism to decadence without knowing civilization. (1932 July 16 Wash Post trans of La Liberte)

[Garson O'Toole]

There is a well-known humorous saying about the United States that has
been credited to several famous wits including: George Bernard Shaw,
Oscar Wilde, and Georges Clemenceau. Here is a common version:

America is the only country that went from barbarism to decadence
without civilization in between.

The Quote Verifier and the Yale Book of Quotations cite a version in
1945 with an attribution to Georges Clemenceau in the Saturday Review
of Literature.

Below is a version that appeared in multiple U.S. media outlets in
July 1932. The text is reportedly an English translation of a passage
that appeared originally in the French newspaper La Liberte.

Cite: 1932 July 16, Washington Post, Herriot Admits Pact Not Aimed at
Debt to U.S., Page 1, Washington, D.C. (ProQuest)

[Begin excerpt]
Does this government, which obeys gangsters, which capitulates
helplessly before thieves and assassins of babies in the cradle, dare
to assume such a height of moral authority that it thinks it can
dictate to Europe and France?

Americans are the only race which passed directly from barbarism to
decadence without knowing civilization.
[End excerpt]

The name of the French author was not specified in the Washington Post
or in other publications. The remark may have been an unsigned
editorial comment from La Liberte.

Earlier citations or comments would be welcome. If someone can locate
the French text that would be great. Thanks.
Garson

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