New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-07-03

Ii is evident that the splcndOr and hearth
ness of the celebration of our one hndreGth
national anniversary will surpaSS even the
most sanguine expectations. Already the
streets are in holiday attire, and patriotic
devices, in hundreds of ingenious forms, con-
front us at every turn. The beloved buKtDg
floats from myriad masts, and fcsto0ns the
fronts of long avenues Of houses. There are
few so poor that they do not afford a few
shillngs for a modest display, and one of the
most striking features of the general cclebra-
ton is the gay appearance of many Of the
humble tenements. Yesterday was already
gala day; this morning the city will bios
som with redoubled richness of color
and for full forty-eight hours we shall
be surrounded by the sights and sounds of re-
i0icing. From one end of the continent to the
other the celebration will be universal. North
and South, East and West, native and for
eigner, all JOIN with equal hcaTtiness Ill the
commemoration. Philadelphia and New-lOrk
are by no means the only cities which have
prepared for poems and parades, OratiOns and
fireworks. San Francisco is to have q grand
naval battle, when ships of the United states
ard France, and perhaps Great Britain, will
take part in the attack upon an imaginary foe.
Veterans Of 1912 will picnic decOrOuSly on
pork and baked beans, and imagine-So far as
the weather will permit-that they are stary-
ing at Valley Forge. The Catholics of Calves
ton are to have a solemn mass of thanks
giving. Quincy, Mass, is to have the
Declaration of Independence read by six
young ladies' Innumerablc creased pigs viii
be set running in various parts of tie country,
flo in.
Vulnerable slippery poles. We see many an
nomcements that the Goddess of Liberty,
accompanied with fireworks, will 90 up in a
balloon, and Indianapolis has made arrange
ments for a wedding in the clouds,-to say
nothing of hog races on the surface OF the
earth. The pestilent tire-cracker of course
will brighten horses, bum children, and start
cOnfagratiCns, according to immcmorial GUS
tom. but the nuisance is not likely to reach
the huge proportions anticipated fol this eX-
traordinary occasion, and there il some reason
to hope that the taste of the American people
in popular festivities Is beginning to improve ;
it runs more than it formerly did TO decora-
ton. and less to mere noise.
We are emphatically q nation Of working
people, without the talent for holiday making
which is so common in the Old World, and it's
significant of the strong hold this celebration
has taken of the popular mind that we drop
work, as if by one accord, two or three days
before the anniversary arrives, and make our
Centennial Fourth of July a double or triple
festival. But with our memories of the war
still fresh we have no right to be surprised at
the exhibition of the sentimental side Of the
American character. PatTi' ,i,Il is one of our
strongest impulses, and hOwc,cr much We may
abuse our Government and GtnCunce the faults
of our political system, it needs Only the eX-
element of a great occasion to arouse love OF
country to the point of enthusiasm and ill the
heart of the people with generous passions
and lofty sentiments. Such seasons of patriotic
revival cannot fail to bear fruit. The demonstra-
ton NAV be brief, but the effect lasts long. And
we may count it specially fortunate that the
centennial observance comedies this year with
an important political campaign In this
Fourth of July fervOr it will be strange If
many partisan asperities are not smO0thed away,
and if Democrats and Republicans, who are
alike recalling to-day the virtues Of the Rcyo-
lutionary period and alike rejoicing over the
great work we have accomplished since the
declaration of freedom went forth from hide
pendence Hall, should not tacltly agree to
forego some of the ordinary indecencies of the
Presidential year, and settle their contest for
power with a decorum appropriate To the
period. Thee should be no room for sectional