The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-04


sary time we give in another column sketch
OF the previous celebrations on the fitch and
seventy-ifth anniversaries Of the event and
an account Of the ceremonies at the dedica-
ton Of the monument, with copy of an in
teresting letter from Lafayette.
Lieutenant General shertdan's Nup-
tials.
The marriage Of General Sheridan and
Miss Rucker, celebrated yesterday according
to the Roman Catholic ritual, seems to have
caused some disappointment in the circles Of
Chicago fashion by its simplicity and absence
OF social ostentation. 1t strikes us, however,
ut this distance, that the modest simplicity of
the wedding attests the good sense of Gen.
eral Sheridan and the excellent taste of his
young bride. Of course we do not mean to
imply that the celebration of a marriage
should always be on the same unpretending
scale. 1t is wise and well when two people,
both young, and one or both belonging to
families of afiuence or social distinction,
their union for life is consecrated, that the
launch should be made festive occasion,
gayly decorated with flags, enlivened with
music and cheered with the applauding
good wishes of throng of friendly specta-
tors. But propriety in such matters,
as in all matters. depends on fit
ness and adaptation, and General Sheri-
dan and his bride have exercised just
and refined sense of propriety in not making
what is called q splendid wedding. Nor is
this any reflection on the display made when
General Sherman gave away his young daugh-
ter to young bridegroom. When youthful
pair, both in the bright morning of their
years, are launched upon the sea of matri-
mony, there ia reasonable prospect that they
will accompany each other throughout the
voyage, and that their children, if Heaven
blesses the union with children will continue
to have the protection of both father and
mother until they reach mature age. Besides
this security for the happiness of offspring
the ordinary chances of life encourage the ex-
pectation that neither party to the marriage
will spend long period of widowhood, dis
consulate for the loss of the other. But when
a gentleman of forty-two is welded to lady
who is but year or two out of her teens,
although such o union is entirely proper if
it be founded on mutual love, it involves the
risk of more than twenty years of widowhood
on the part of the wife, with the care of
young and fatherless children. With
rejecting persons such a marriage has
solemn as well as a festive side,
and subdued and chastened JOY is more ap-
propriate than the gayety of brilliant fash
Ionable wedding. We do not see that Gen
eral Sheridan's high rank in the army and
great military fame should make any differ
ence. The fact that he has already achieved
the great work Of his life and rests on his lau-
rels differences him even more widely than his
age from young bridegroom whose career
lies still before him and whose standing among
men is yet to be gained. Harvest has its
beauty, but it Ia not the beauty of spring;
and dancing around the Maypole and crown
ing the Queen Of the May with flowers is not
suitable TO all seasons of the year. Mrs.
Sheridan has not run the risk Of uniting her
self to a young husband who has yet to make
his mark in the world; but, on the other
hand, she cannot contribute by helpfulness
and sympathy to a success which is already
achieved, and in which she has no other part
than to enjoy its fruits The generous trust
of maiden who gives herself away to man
whose usefulness is as yet mere
unfulflled promise, and the strength
and inspiration which right feeling man
derives from such confidence, are as beau
tiful as the buds and blossoms Of spring amid
which the birds sing merrily, although they
may oil in time be blighted. The more sober
Joy Of an autumn laden with richest fruits
may be more substantial, but custom and
good taste require different mode of cele-
bration. We trust and believe that this will
prove happy marriage and friends may
more safely tender congratulations when
they observe the thoughtfulness, fitness, wise
decorum and excellent judgment with which
this simple and impressive wedding has been
ordered. There seems everything to justify
the choice of the husband, the pride and
affection Of the young wife, and the expecta-
ton of many years Of happiness as unclcuded
as falls to the lot of humanity.