The New York herald., 1871-02-22
PATER PATRIE.
The One Hundred and Thirty-Nirth Ami
versary Of Washington's Birthday
How It VIII be Observed in
the City and Elsewhere. .

Though we have as yet but brief national
bistory-bre: In time, though immeasursbly fruit
ful in resuirs-we have already couple or days le-
gay set apart for the tng celebration OF those debts
ofgratitude and affection WHOM owe tc the past.
Independence Day IS one, and to-day. the auaiver-
sary of the birthday of the
FATHER OF HIS COUNTRY,
Is the other. would be. OF course, absurd TO say
which Is most worthy OF celebration; they are both
hallowei by the most solemn and sacred memories
and 1T Is the duty OF every good American citizen TO
honor both with all his heart and soul and strength.
When the glory OF either grows dim and pale the
country may indeed be despa red OF.
WashingtoH's Birthday, however. appeals directly
to our personal affection for the greatest ana nobest
OF Americans, while independence Day makes q
sort OF general demand upon our patriotism In
the latter case we throw eyes back to the past
and abandon ourselves to mingled feelings OF graft
tude TO the King OF kings who delivered us out OF
the house OF bondage aud the land OF Egypt;
OF respect for the memory OF The almost
nameless legons of the patriotic dead who fell In
our first grand birth struggle, aud Of pride in the
present grandeur Of the land for which their lives
were cheerlully rendered up. But to-day our re-
minlscences will give rise TO but one sentiment and
that sentiment win be concentrated upon single
Cbject. We shall simply rejoice once more in the
possession or
AN ETERNAL EXAMPLE
or the pureSt and most stcadaSt aud exalted riot
lsm-an example that seems ar first rather 10 De
some utopan, ideal incarnation OF unsclasness
and integrity and Iear.essness and all else that
makes up public virtue, tnan flesh and blood
hgure OF the actual past. IL Is weil indeed in
these degenerate days, when even the belief III The
possible purity OF politician seems to have faded
recall at leas: 9aos sea ths iif9 and I'm.
ssalned record OF the most illustroas OF historic
rpi n
.ns glorious tradition OF q man who never abused
the trust Of the people, who rose
SUPERIOR TO r ERY TEMPTATION
OF vanity or interest who even refused the offered
crown and purple or king we may, in the dim.
distant future be ruled By not unworthy copies OF
Although being legal holiday, there viii be
scarcely any business done-at any rate down
toWn-to day viii not be marked by any very striking
CIVIC displays. The Stock and Produce Exchanges
The banks ana insurance offices, the courts OF
justice and the public oiilces win OF course be
closed. The military celebrations viii mostly
nky gasS s syeeg w at ,ns not
cises or eats OF arms, but OF less fagung and more
pleasant reunions. Only one regiment, the
Eleventh. Colonel Funk, viii turn OUT On parade TO
annual march dowa Broadway. several deaf rs
nave occurred among the latter since last year,
Sa a iSsy sso e 1er reaSe donT o sy
VIII all pass away from us. 1t Is also to be hoped
tnat something viii be done to smooth the way Of
that still remain to thcm To-day we must surely
remember, with Sigh OF rcmorse, that one OF them
was rescued only tie other day by private Charity
u0n death by starvation.
IN THE EVENING
the pupils OF the Cooper Union Will have an enter
talnment In the big han of the Institute, and re.
unions Wli also take place or the following associa-
uons:-Second Company OF the Washington Conti-
mental Guard at Irving Hall; Washington Mar.
ket Association, at Apollo Hall; Apprentice
Boys Lodge at Lyric Hall; Washington
Light Guard, Company B Twelfth regiment,
at their amory Ia Thrtyfourth street: Sixth regi-
ment, at the armory in Fourteenth street; Seventy
Irst regiment, In the armory at broadway and
Thlrty-hith street; Post Sedgwick q. A. r. In The
hall at Fourieenth street and Fifh avenue,
At Trinity the usual service Will be given, incud-
Ing the reading oil Washington's Farewell Address
Shit.cn VIII also be RING this morning.