New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-10-15
THE FIREMAN AND HIS PROCESSION.

THE FJHEmAN AND Ills PhOCEs>iON.
Yesterday was the Firemans Annual Jubilee. The
morning heard tie cheerful buzz and hustle of prepa
ration stalwart young in the plenitude Of tech
nicsl pride clad in the most picturesque dress that
fashion has left us-the romantic red shirt clustered
in the streets thick autumna pigeons Our reports
ample details of the forces and splendOrs Of
the various companies and the e1uberant gaeties Of
the occasion. In due time the fremens line
formed and on came in the force Of thousands these
soldiers of peace-whO have taken TO protect the
lives and properties Of others the expense Of their
own.
We confess as they fled through the Park and cheer
ed in all the lustness of tumultuous youth that
could not look upon the without deep emotion
We regardedta as a genuine growth of our institutions
Of that subtle spirit which is to regenerate mankind
teaching them to help themselves and not depend on
Government. Here were some thousands OF young
men, almost independent of Government in ordinary,
and yet as thoroughly disciplined actively useful
and professionally spirited, if each one had been
soldier under command. Their looks and bearing all
betoken that sefreliance which is the great AMI grow
ing element of the American character The same
thing in Europe is affair Of the police here it is
the work of the people
Those who have not considered our Fire Depart
ment must be imperectly aware of the peryadng en-
tlusiasm and rivalry which mark its companies. Ii is
q serious matter regards labor exposure and dan
ger. and very often expense, to belong to company
Take for example any associaton-the Hook and Lad
der nearest our Office. On the groundhoor is the ap
paIatus which is always kept in perfect order ready
for instant use Above are two good-szed rooms;
the back one devoted sleeping apartment to the
members some twelve of whom repose there every
night ready at the first dread note OF alarm to start
from their slumbers and rush TO the scene OF action IN
the most starving cold exhausng heat In front is
an elegantly furnished drawngrOom with carpets, So
as pictures pianoforte books professional trophies
and so forth The expenses of these companies are also
considerable. We know Of one engine decorated at
cost 10 the members OF five thousand dollars ana
of a company that expended in single year about SIX
thousand dollars in entertaining their brethren from
other ctes.
We have seen Lord Mayors day in London, and
we prefer that of yesterday in point of mere display,
for whatever carvings paintings gildngs and symbol
zings can effect to poetic the pOnderous machines
they drag are called into action. And then there is
such variety of taste and intention in these things in
the scores Of companies that the eye does not weary
The extinction OF fires may be compared to battle.
Tie City bell sounds the charge On dash the brave to
the scene of action. The contest seems dePorable.
Tie flames lick up in their roaring wrath the wealth
of whole lusers Of years-the piles of archi-
lecture that cost the sweat and skill Of thousand
hands. Endless seems the promise OF the work OF
ruin Who shall stay the hand Of red and beching an
Initiation Who shall mount aloft aud open means
for it's antidOte What greater courage could Mara
tLon or Waterloo show than that OF those who at the
signal from the commanding engineer rush up their
ladders TO the parapets where fire like writing ures
runs iercely along But up they mount. Mark each tall
figure as il stands like defiant spirit over burning
gulf Now commence the trenchant thrOes of the en-
CINE. Now is hurled up the watery column On ye
brave The big ax swings alOft The water is poured
through the breach. wild fight of the element:
ensues The trumpet of the fireman sounds the de
cisiye charge 1EJd mirum spdrgers sonHm. The roar
ing element begins to show signs of feebleness His
rsndemonum arms wave family in the gloom. lie
sinks and sinks and sinks-and shroud OF smoke tells
Of his fate
But where are the annals which sing of the Victor
In what history is his " Don't give up the ship" re
corded What national paans are breathed for him
Be OF good cheer. The day is coming when philosO
ply shall discriminate when the work of preservation
shall be preferred TO the work of destruction and
ace as great that which the worlds bully literature
las eublazoned be recognized and goried under the
red shirt OF the Fireman
Yesterday all this grand energy passed before US
We saw not the fireman at play, but at work We re
carded bis professions the golden link of the rater
nal pulse which makes him dare all seasons struggles
terrors which devotes him. mind and muscle, to the
public good-to the conservation Of Being and Proper
ty; which exhibits him in his noblest aspect selfmo
tiyed, seli-actng and seftriumphant-