The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-23

regular nOnoay cOttOn DaeS were sOlo tue
market closing dull on the basis Of Ike for mddlng
uplands. Coffee firmly held with sales Of 200 bags
Rio at &c., and 100 mats Java at l51c. Sugars were
rather easier, while the sales embraced about $50 hhds
and 600 boxes at rates given in another place Freight
engagements limited and rates unchanged.
The Anniversary and Its Usss-Contrasts
or Times and OF Parties.
The varied and many-sided celebrations of
yesterday, the one hundred and twenty eighth
anniversary of the birth of Washington, are
significant sign of the tone and temper of the
times.
Whenever great crisis arises, and the minds
of men are agitated with some impending ca
lamty, the politicians and partisan advocates
of public measures, and particularly of those
which will not stand the test of reason, seek to
divert the public attention from their designs
by assuming lively zeal for the honor of some
great and revered name. The mass of the peo-
pie, always honest and loyal in their impulses,
are easily moved by the memory Of some great
hero who is the representative of that which
their hearts most cling to. This is the case
with the revered name Of Washington, and the
fact that the present anniversary of his birth
has been seized upon as an appropriate occa.
| sion for more celebrations than have been
witnessed on the same day for years past, is
| palpable evidence that the public agitators
are compelled to seize upon some more
| powerful lever of public opinion than
the truth that is in their theories. Thus we
have the middle men in politics assuming an
utilization with the name of Washington, by Sc
lecting the anniversary of his birth for great
public meetings, and the shoemakers of Lynn
endeavoriDg to throw halo of patriotism over
their claims by naming it as the day for strik-
ing for higher wages. The same sophistry i'm
pels the black republicans of Massachusetts, to
fire hundred guns in its honor, and the men
in Congress, who would array the North against
the South, to seize upon the occasion of the
erection of his statue to exhibit an enthusiastic
zeal for the memory of the man who, in the
most solemn moment of his public career, babe
us to beware of parties in the State founded on
geographical determinations.
The use that has just been made of the day
contrasts strongly with the spirit of those pa.
triets who led the country through the trying
times of the Revolution to the happy establish
ment of the confederacy. When the thirteen
colonies met in the persons of their representa-.
tives in general Congress, and the question
came up as to who should be entrusted with
the command of all the forces, doubt sat upon
every brow. Then it was that John Adams,
speaking for Massachusetts, laid aside the claim
of her sons, and proposed the name of citi-
zen Of Virginia, who had displayed his genius
twenty years before in covering the retreat of
the remnant of the British forces after Brad
docks defeat. There was in this no humbug-
ging appeal to general or local memories, and
the result proved the honesty and loyalty of
the patriot abnegation of self.
A similar example has been presented at the
present critical time, by the State Convention
recently assembled in Virginia. The political
conflict upon which we are about to enter
equals in importance the appeal to arms made
by the Revolutionary Congress; for it is to
bring out the voice of the people to decide
whether geographical parties, which will inevi-
tably lead to revolution and civil war, shall be
perpetuated or annihilated. In the face of this
great issue, Virginia follows the example Thy
Massachusetts, in the general Congress- and,
setting aside the claims of her sons, declares
that she has no preference for any man as lead.
er, but will support VIGOROUSLY within her
own borders whoever the general voice at
Charleston shall select. In this abnegation of
self there is no claptrap appeal to popular ia
vor, no invoking of honored names to cover I'M
holy designs, but that earnest and honest pa.
triotism that willingly sacrifices all things upon
the great altar of the general good.
A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO BE PAD.-When the
commander or crew of an American vessel
affords signal aid to British ship in distress,
and at the hazard of life or great inconvenience,
rescues the sufferers, the English government
never forgets to acknowledge the service in
substantial manner. by presents Of gold medals,
chronometers, or other tokens of recognition of
the favor done. We ourselves have not been
backward in this regard, and case now pre-
sents itself where our action might be appro-
priately called forth. There Is at present in
this port the British ship Cambria, commanded
by Captain Russell, just arrived from Green
witch. Captain Russell, it may be remembered,
was the man who rescued Captain Luce, Mr..
Allen, of the New York Novelty Works. and
ten others, from the wreck of the steamship
Arctic, FIVE or six years ago, and landed them
safely at Montreal. In performing this gallant
and humane service Captain Russell lost several
days time in his voyage, and at the same time
imperilled his insurance, for to go unneces.
sarily out Of his course was legal vitiation of
MS insurance. No acknowledgment whatever
has been made to this gallant sailor for the SER
wee rendered to the shipwrecked captain and
passengers OF the Inflated Arctic, although the
British government has handsomely recognized
the services OF an American seaman C,rto;,