Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-09-27
THE TRIUMPH OF PATRIOTISM

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Next to the wonderful universality of
the manifestations OF sorrow which filed
the country yesterday, must be counted
the remarkable blending of all shades of
opinion and political and religious beliefs,
which characterized the popular demon
stration. The procession and ceremonies
in this city will serve as an indication OF
what was exhibited in the same way every
where. Protestants and Catholics, Jews
and Christians, Republicans and Demo-
Gratis, men of the most opposite and even
hostile opinions, were seen marching
shoulder to shoulder in the procession
which was to honor the memory of our
illustrious dead. Never before in the
history of the republic has SO splendid
proof been given of the power of patriot
ism to overcome all discords and differences,
and to merge the American people in one
solid body, responsive to the same senti-
ments, and bound by the same firm ties Of
sympathy. Yesterday ther were no
longer any dissensions among classes or
sects or parties, but all Americans came
together to participate harmoniously in
the rites which were held in cele-
bration of the obsequies of Presi-
dent Garfield. 1t may be said that
it requires some overmastering occasion
of this kind to produce so singular and
unparalleled an accord, but the fact that
such unison is possible shows that the
sentiment of patriotism has lost nothing of
its power, and that it only needs to have
the right chord struck to unite the whole
nation. Nothing like the demonstration Of
yesterday, indeed, was ever seen before,
either in the New or the Old World. There
is no record of so universal and real a
mourning over dead ruler to be found in
history. The assassination of the Prince
of Orange by Balthazar Gerald caused
deadly shock to the Protestant population
of the Netherlands, and indeed to the
Protestant peoples everywhere. But the
Catholics exulted over that crime, and
there was therefore no unanimity of sentl-
ment regarding it. In this case we have
had perfectly candid and spontaneous
combination of all religions and all sects
and parties, and it cannot be even said that
any section of the people have excelled
any other in the manifestation of genuine
and deep regret.
The predominance of the feeling that
President Garfield belonged to the whole
country, and that he represented all its
elements, has been strikingly displayed.
demonstration forecasts the advent of an
era of peace and harmony, nor is it to be
desired that such an era should dawn.
Strife is the condition of progress and
growth. Its total cessation would indicate
the decline of national vitality. 1t is by
friction alone that development is sus-
tanned, and peace means stagnation and
death. 1t is sufficient, therefore, if in
crucial conjunctures the patriotism of
the people is shown to be capable of rising
superior to all prejudice and difference
of opinion, and this exhibition of fra
ternal feeling indicates that the national
vitality is sound, and that it can be re.
lied upon no matter what trials may be in
store for the republic. 1t has often been
said that Death is a great leveler,
but no more signal confirmation of that
truth was ever furnished than in the cere-
monies of yesterday. In that case Death
truly leveled all distinctions, and brought
men together who perhaps could not have
been made to take part in the same pro-
ceedings under any other circumstances.
But the object of the celebration was of
nature to break down all barriers, and
bring to the front the one common ground
upon which union was possible-the
claim of citizenship, the common interest
in the destinies of the republic.