Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-13
HEROES AND HERO WORSHIP,

HEROES AND HERO WORSHIP.
The reception to Gen. Grant at Chicago
yesterday was a gorgeous affair, notwith-
standing Indictment weather, and he no doubt
feels highly flattered by the compliment
paid him. It was feared Of first that the
demonstration would have a pronounced
political bent, as those who were the most
active in the early arrangement of the pro-
gramme consisted of the dlsreputable camp
followers of the Grant regime. But the
citizens of Chicago protested most emphat-
ically against any such prostitution of the
occasion, and finally succeeded in eliminating
many of the more obnoxious features of the
celebration. Democrats and Republicans
united in doing honor to the distinguished
guest of the city, and tho demonstration was
probably tho most imposing ever Witnessed
on this side Of the Atlantic.
We do not undertake to say that Gen.
Grant does not deserve all the honor lie has
received, but the question will suggest itself
to many of those who sincerely admire him,
whether the moro than regal attention paid
him is not fraught with great danger to our
institutions. The time was that all Ameri-
cans were taught to regard ali citizens as
upon the same plane, and contempt for the
toadyism manifested by the people of Eu-
rope was one of the first lessons of the
American youth. To bow obsequiously to
tho wealthy Or those high in political posi-
ton waa regarded as an evidence of lack of
Sat Independent spirit that should charac-
terize a citizen of this republic. But Of late
years change has been in progress, hardly
perceptible at first, but now become s.. con-
spiccous as to give good cause OF alarm.
The large increase Of public officers incident
to the war created a distinct class that
exacted increased consideration from the
common herd of mankind-required that
they should be treated with extra respect
both III their official and social capacities.
This soon deteriorated into obsequiousness,
and the great number of military heroes de-
veloped by the wsr increased this tendency
and has made Americans a race of hero wor-
shippers if not of funkies.
This dep'orekle condition of things, it is
to be feared, will be greatly increased by the
triunphsl tour of Grant. Men and women,
bis superiors in mental ability and moral
character, flock for sight of his grim, i'm
mobile face, and crowd each other into shape
less masses of dry goods that they may have
the privilege of shaking his hand, and speak
of the event ever afterwards as the most re-
markable incident of their lives. Even
Hayes, who has done all that man can do to
forfeit the respect of all decent people, is
followed from one part of the
country to the other by a troop of
servile lackeys, and wherever he goes
receives reception" which the chief of his
sycophantic followers depicts to the press as
outrivaling the triumphal journeys of any of
the old Roman conquerers. Governors
bold receptions" too, at least once year,
at which they treat the crowd that assemblies
to honor their position with the most agara-
waiting condescension. If this thing keeps
on at the ratio of progress of the past fifteen
years we shall expect to see within the next
decade constables and roadmasters exactino
homage from the citizens who selected them,
We regret to notice this sickening tosdy-
ism of American citizens to persons who by
accident or any other means have achieved
political or social prominence. 1t is far
more reprehensible than the quality that ex-
lists in the old world, for the reason that We
assume to look with disdain upon the
miserable funkies who humble
themselver in the dust before
scion of the aristocraoy of Europe. "The
rank is but the guinea's stamp" all the
world over, and especially in this country
''ths mans the gold for a. that The hun
dreds of thousands of people who at Chicago
yesterday bowed the knee, in essence. before
Grant, have dealt crushing blow to that
distinctively American characteristic so
forcibly exemplifed by Franklin and Jeffer-
son in their declarations that American
citizenship is the highest honor a man can
wear. 1t ia not necessary, in order to do
honor to distinguished soldier, to forget
ones manhood-to s'crook the pregnant
hinges of the knee'' as did those who have
heretofore taken part in these demonstra-
tions. More manliness and independence
OF spirit far better becomes those who would
show respect for gallant deeds. Tho fawn-
ing of sycophant is the worst insult that
can be offered to any man worthy of thu
name.