New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-05

Our columns. crowded as they are by its do
tails, attest the fervor aud unanmity, the
pomp, circumstance, and splendor of the cele-
bratlon of yesterday eliminating naturally
and properly at Philadelphia, the pubic fcs-
tiyities engrosscd the whole country, and only
a small proportion of the population failed, in
some way, to engage in them. Nor Were We
abandoned merely to the glory of spectacle, OF
gorgeous decoration. and Of widc-hlnzing
illumination. In many an address and
in many poem tho lessons OF the
past, the hopes Of the present, and the mag
niticcnt promises of the future, were recited
with mingled sobriety and enthusiasm. After
long and careful preparation, the completion
of our first century was h0norcd in way OF
which, as Americans, we need not be ashamed
The first suggestion OF such-a gigantic DEM
onstration of public happiness is that OF the
reality, the sincerity, and the abiding character
Of what we call patIiotiSm-the amor PGHiR
Of which poets have sung, and which moral
lists and philosophers have sometimes con-
dcmned. There are those indeed who have
vcntured to assert the sclfshncss of such an
emotion and to declare its Inconsistency with
that love which we should entertain for the
especially at this time. to examine the paradox.
Love of country always has existed, modified,
il is true, 10y different stages of civilization !;
and its influence upon the progress OF States,
and in enhancing tire achievements OF peoples,
it is hardly necessary to assert. We saw yes
tortlay in all the characteristics of the ami
versaly proof of American patriotism.
Ii is only upon great occasions that the depth
and ealncstuess of this popular feeling IA
manifested. Usually there is observable a
quiet self-c0mplacency i'll any people OF first
rate importance; yet this is not always suiii-
cicnt to preserve public virtue or to secure
ccnscientiousness in the management of public
affairs. The passion of patriotism Is one which
requires some great emergency or some extra
ordinary occasion TO awaken it to large and
impressive action. 1t is seen at its best during
periods of emergency, when there IS danger
that blessings may be lost or the national dig
nifty decreased. 1t is impatient Of modification.
1t Is FESTIVE under insult. 1t is suspicious, eX-
acting, and iptOcrant i'll all affairs OF intcrna-
tonal misunderstanding. 1t Is iniieXble even
TO the point of uniaiint S. and too often does
not ask whether the country to which it is
devoted is in the right or in the wrong
If was fortunate that our hundrcdth ami
versary came TO us i'll time of peace and OF
moderate prosperity, so that no dark appre-
tensions disturbed our festivities The popu-
lar mind VAS at it's ease. nor was there any
thing to disturb the popular pride, felt alike
by the rich and poor the distinguished and
the little known. Every one seemed to be
anxious to have share, however small, in
the celebration. 1t was not from the greater
public edfces and the ab0des OF the wealthy
alone that the national ensign was displayed !;
10 house was so poor as to be without this
token of patriotic feeling. We may think
this, to-day, to be merely the result of fashion
OF of limitations but if tomorrow the Repub-
lie were surprised by some sudden and over
shadowing peril, We should find that all the
demonstrations OF yesterday really meant much
more than was exhibited upon tho surface.
There is n practical encouragement in this
which Is far more assuring than all the poetry
and all the oT;tOTy which the day inspired.
The Repubc really rests upon the trustworthy
foundation o. the peoples love. They are, in
deed, the Republic; and all our material great
ness is but the embodiment Of their intclli-
gence, their industry, and their love Of liberty.