New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-05
THE DAY THAT U1S CELEBRATED.

Ii is undoubtedly true that Independence
Day is losing year by year its special character
as a national anniversary. The oratory has
grown stale, the military parades and civic Ger
emonies are virtually abandoned, the ardor OF
the rising generation is Systematically re-
pressed by municipal ordinances, and the day
has become general holiday snatched from
the engrossing occupations of n workaday
world and devoted mainly to social recreation
without regard for patriotic "reminiscences. Ii
may be that Americans have come TO regard
cOmplacent reflections upon the virtues OF the
founders Of the Republic and the triumphs
achieved by them as supeIfluous, II not in
consistent with the dignity of mature and
fully developed nationality. Certainly there
has been decline in the elusive enthusiasm
with which the historical significance of the
day is remembered and celebrated. Business
ceases and pleasure begins, but patriotic feel
ing is lacking. Ii ~ secular Sunday without
religious restraints-with feeble fusllade of
explosive crackers in the suburbs where the
vigilance OF the police is relaxed, and neagre
displays of fireworks for the children. and with
40 all-day exodus of the working classes to
picnic grove or seaside. There is laborivus
search after days recreation and an exhil-
ararDg sense of holiday relaxation; but what
ever is characteristic of the day as a national
anniversary is neglected and forgotten.
This decline in public appreciation OF the
Significance of the greatest of national holidays
is frequently interpreted as an indication of
the decadeDce of American patriotism. The
disappearance of the parades, the silence of the
orators, and the collapse of the enthusiasm of
earlier times are attributed to popular ipdiffer-
rnce to the glorious traditions of the Revolu-
ton and the generalization is hastily drawn
that degenerate generation, wholly en-
crossed in material progress and sordid pursuits
and unmindful Of the achievements and sacri-
fees of an h ,ored ancestry and Of the ines
Unable advap' ages of free institutions, will
eventually squaL + the sacred heritage which
it so lightly regard, no persistently Eeglects.
Such homilies as f",-- are not in accord with
the practical iustipa.. ~ tho age or OF the
American people. r. real cause of the
apathy and indifference with which the re-
currence of national annie ~saries is regarded
in the United States is theSeDsc OF security
which is- universally felt. Public confidence Ia
the permaneuce of the ip-firutions founded on
the frat Independence ;'aye d of the practical
success of the American system lie absolute.
No appreheusions are entertained that the
present form Of government will not last All
classes are convinced that II Is the only order
Of things that is possible in America, and that
no substitute for II can be provided. This
consciousness of the stability of their system
and of the prosperity which has attended its
successful operation naturally tends to reprcss
patriotic display and oratorical pretension. II
the country had been menaced with disruption
and ruin, as 1t was during ths civil war. Inde-
pendence Day would. have been celebrated yes
tertlay with the same elaborate care and pop
ular enthusiasm, the same patriotic fervor aud
solemn earpestnsss, which were manifested
then. There would have been professions
miles in length In tho streets. she orators would
have had sympathetic public to welcome
them. and the cities -woosid have We'd ono with
another In patriotic appreciation Of the day
that was celebrated. Security involves self
restraint. When there are no grounds for pub
lie uneasiness or excitement when the present
Il crownsd with success and the future seems
20 secure, ill-resulated displays Of patriotic
feeling are unnecessary. Under such circum-
stssces practical community naturally prs-