Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-01-10
PUBLIC LEDGER.
HOW WE HAVE CHANGED.

If in the days of Jefferson and Jack
son foreign prince had visited oui
shores, it would have been their aira &c
illustrate Republican principles by the
plainness of his reception. There would
have been no display to attract the gaze
Of the mass, no INTERVENING OF republi'
can and despotic banners, and no act
permitted that compromised the stern
simplicity of our republican habits. In
those days the Democrats of America
despised the tyrants of Europe, and
commiserated the condition of their
down-trodden subjects. So recently out
of a war to establish their independence,
perhaps they took a prejudiced view
of things, and regarded all men
not baptized in their Republican
faith as enemies of their country. But
when such a man as Lafayette visited
these shores, there we're no honors too
great, too costly to be paid to him. One
of the grandest men this country has
produced, and certainly its finest intel
lect, stood up and welcomed the illus
trious visitor as the hero of two conti-
nents." Wherever he appeared, the
people welcomed him with demonstra-
tons Of affection. He had stood by
Washington through those dreadful
seven years of war. There was soul in
all this. The honors paid him were not
for the sake of display, but as testimo-
MES Of the veneration and love the peo-
pie bore him. We did, with sporadic
start, heap honors on Louis Kossuth.
But that was when every citizen
of America was proud of his country
and devoted to its institutions-when
everybody's heart went out to those in
other lands who we're struggling to cast
off intolerable burdens and to stand be-
fore the world as freemen. 0, well, it
is different now, and the difference is
scarcely marked. We have changed,
and he who does not perceive that there
is little of the old Washingtonian, JEFF
fersonian, Jacksonian spirit remaining
to us, is indeed very blind. On this
side the great chasm of war new world
rolls around Us. On the other side are
buried, as the great and good Major
Donelson once remarkedt to US, all thatthe
patriot loved. Traditions, memories, In
stitutions, habits, loves, honors, glory, all
lie buried there amid blasted fields and
charred remains Liberty, and that
high sense of honor that were once the
felicity of our men and institutions, are
left on the other side. The chasm of the
war is lake Of fire. 1t can never be
crossed, and that which is left over there
can never be brought over here. 1t may
be all right There is nothing in the
character of our Government now that
should repeI prince, or refuse to him
honors that, long time ago, were only
paid to heroes. The young Prince
Alexis seems to be an amisjle and in
telligent person, and should be received
with courtesy. because he is repre-
sentative of government with which we
are at peace, but to spend millions
Of money for display on his account,
and shout ourselves hoarse at the sight
Of him, is unbecoming a sensible people.
If we are republicans, let us exhibit to
him our spirit in the manner Of
receiving him. No display is necessary,
and certainly no great expense. En-
thusiasm will be out of place, for there
is nothing in him or his government to
excite it. Yes, we have gone away from
the good old time