The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1881-10-25

surrendered there was gathered o larger crowd,
military aud civil, than It is likely ever to see
again. In all Its main features the Yorktown
Of to-day which was the scene of the culm-
mating struggle that virtually brought the war
OF Independence to a triumphant close, finds IL
chief difference from the little port OF entry,
where the Nelson's and the Pages lived in
patriarchal fashion century ago, in the raw
ages that time has wrought. The principal
features of the place are The same. The little
custom house still remains. There are still
traces Of the earthworks thrown up during the
siege, and the 0ne old Nelson mansion still
rears It's stately head, though in condition of
dllapidaton and decay. The Yorktown of
century ago was again the seat of mimic war.
Soldiers were encamped on Its now barren fields,
and on its waters ships rode at anchor, with
the flags Of France and America un rurled. II
was q graceful act of courtesy to invite the de-
scendants and representatives of those who
participated In our revolutionary struggle to
assist at the centennial celebration of its sue
cessful termination on the spot where Corn
wallis laid down his arms and surrendered the
1000 men of his command prisoners of war.
TO Lafayette and Roehambeu, Count de Grasse
and the naval and military forces of France
the country owes deep debt of gratitude, as
well as TO the able German soldiers, Steuben
and De Kalb, whom France engaged to assist
us In our struggle. But for France the war
might have continued indefinitely as a forlorn
and desperate conflict, such as people intent
on liberty can wage with all the odds against
them. She supplied the colonial Government
with money, arms, men and munitions of war.
II was her feet of "a ships of war that partici-
pated In the siege of Yorktown, and of the 49,
600 men that constituted the besieging force
under Washington, Franco contributed $500.
Mr. Field has just given out bulletin show
ing the condition of the Mrs. Garfield fund,
stating that after purchasing registered four
per cent. bonds to the amount of $500, 900,
there is still about $12 900 on hand. The
premium of these bonds amounted to $43, ,96S.75.
Nothing better illustrates the impulsiveness of
American character than the outpouring of this
large sum of money from private purses to the
widow of the late President. And while all
are glad to see her amply provided for, can
not help thinking that the matter is being over
done. Mrs. Garfield has in addition to this
fund comfortable home in Mentor worth
100000, house in Washington worth Sl2 900
besides $4,000 in money from life insurance
policies and the probability of $50, 900 or $780,
600 from Congress. Thus she is practically
worth half million dollars-more than she
can ever use and more than enough to start all
of her children handsomely in life. What
need was there for all this, and how utterly
foolish was the proposition to raise another
fund for the Presidents mother. All this sug-
gests the Inconsistency of our philanthropy,
sometimes, and how high position often elcits
an overplus of sympathy. In Michigan are
thousands of unfortunates whom the fire flend
lately rendered utterly destitute. In a day the
destroyer swept over them and took everything.
They were houseless, homeless and naked, not
knowing where the next loaf was coming from,
and many dying from injuries and exposure.
Yet all these thousands of sufferers and all this
utter desttution did not elicit from the million
aires who had given so freely to Mrs. Garfield
one half the amount raised for her who really
did not need it, and whose afflictons were not
of the kind that money can soften.