New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THURLow WEED ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.

| THURLOW WEED ON NATIONAL HOLIDAYS.
| LAMENTABLE DECLINE IN THE OBSERVANCE OF AN
| NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. CUSTOM OF NEWSPAPERS
The FREQUENT REPUBLICATION OF LITERARY
| GEMs-COyTEMPORARY DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST.
| To the Editor OF The tribune
| SIR: In recent conversation with you. cx-
pressed regrets to have SEEM year after year. dmln-
ished and diminishing interest in Our National holt
days. For three-quarters of a century, Fourth OF
July celebrated III the enthusiastic spirit OF the
letter written by John Adams on the day that the
Declaration of Independence was signed. That glori-
GUS anniversary warmed the hearts and stimulated
the patriotism of the whole people. But this inter-
est has been gradually subsdng, until these ami
versaries are "more honored in the breach
than the observance This remark applies
with even more force to the ODD of Feb
ruary, which, from the death of Washington
until within few years, was celebrated
In a manner worthy of the services and character of
the Father of his Country Now, it is scarcely re-
membered. Perhaps it is unreasonable to expect
thar these anniversaries should outliye the immedl
ate descendants Of the generations associated with
them.
/, however cherished the hope that the pat
rotc fires annually kindled upOn the altar of Free
dom would be kept burning, not only By ourselves,
but by succeeding generations during the life OF the
Republic. The City of New-York also had its ami
versary. Evacuation Day. was, until within
few years. the occasion of civic and military parades,
firing of cannon, fireworks and ilumlna-
tons. The last anniversary of the day
which. by the evacuation of the Brit
ish army restored NewYork to NEWCOMERS,
would have been entirely unobserved if the prOprie-
tors of the Sturteyant House mad not given the
Veterans of 1912 dinner SO entirely has this an
niversary gone out of the public memory that l
doubt whether one-fourth part Of our citizens can
tell what day in November it occurs For all this
our public journals are largely responsible. Until
within n few years it the custom of city and
village newspapers to republ5h on the morning or
during the week of the Fourth of July the Declara-
ton of Independence. To which most of them APP
pended the letter of John Adams in which he pre-
dicted that the day would be celebrated by
firing of cannon military parades, fireworks and IL
luminations by all succeeding generations. In like
manner, on the ODD of February, Washington'5
Farewell Address reproduced.
1t was my own habit during a half century Of
active journalism to republish annually these stirring
appeals to the better and nobler sentiments and
sympathy of the American people. / had another
habit which might very properly and uSefully be
observed. This was to republiSh every ten or
twelve years articles which, from their historical
interest their eloQuence or from their poetic
beauty were sure to attract general attention and
excite general admiration. These articles would go
the newspaper rounds and were read not only with
interest by such as had never before met with them,
but proved fresh and grateful TO such as had seen
them before. think your readers Will thank you
fornow publishing one of those articles. Ii is as will
be seen, very beautiful description of the person.
manner habits appearance, miracles and character
of our Saviour This account is peculiarly valuable
| in not only coming from contemporary but from
one high IN authority.