Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-20
dEhPHlS APPEAL
SATURDAY, :: JANUARY 90, 1888
ruE rnn or FLuNKYIsM.


During me past twenty-five years toady-
ism has made rapid strides in the United
States. While expressing our contempt for
the obseqiuous favning and groveling syeo-
phancy IAvished upon the crowned heads oil
Europe, we engage in the still more dis
reputable seryility Of worshiping still smaller
idols. The late war between The States gave
a new impulse to hero-worship. Every sec
ton had IL demigod, every State It's saint
and every neighbcrhosd its lamb-which II
the peoph did not fall down and worship |
were regarded as disloyal. When grim |
yisaged war had smoothed his wrinkled
'front.' mat servility which had lsvished it. |
self upen military heroes commenced con-
structng new idols, and the result was boss
rule. Every State, county and neighborhood
had he boss, invested with despotic powers,
and from whose fat il was political death 10
appeal. These bosses elevated them
selves to Office, and the ceremonies %
Inauguration we're always grand and
inpoeing. The expenses were enormous,
bu nobody cared, as they were PAID
- tha neonle The -irinna'.s - :
- T0nquering hero. he was 10 his
korsbipers what the queen bee is 10 the
hive. The boss who was TO dispense the
spoils OF Office was parsded through the
streets IN a magnificent chariot, and an army
of spoilsmen fell down and worshiped the
risiDg sun. Bat the people have shattered
all such idols. II is a significant fact that
with the triumph OF the Democratic parry
there is a return 10 the simple customs which
comport with the genius Of republic. How
proudly does the Inauguration OF Cleveland,
Bate, Pattison and Stoneman contrast. with
the pomp and parade TO which the Repub- 1
lican party have resorted in inaugurating
their bosses. The ceremonies at Nash
vile on Monday last were simple
and unostentatious. Gen, Bate informed
the committee that he desired no dis
play or expense incurred in the ceremonies
of inauguration, and the methods by which
he assumed the duties of his Office were SCI
we're In their simplicity. The sii1y episode
with the eagle was the outside inspiration
OF few enthusiastic friends, and had moth
ing TO do with the ceremonies Of inaugura-
lion. Pattison, of Pennsylvania, spurned
with indignation every attempt to give great
eelat TO his inauguration on Tuesday last.
The various Democratic clubs OF the State
convened at Harrisburg with the view OF
participating in an inauguration which they
desired should be unrivaled in its brilliancy.
But the young governor-elect wonld
consent TO no such folly, and he was
he nh mali N
which had been prepared for his In
duction into office. Gov. Stoneman,
of California, who Immediately after
the war was in command here in Memphis,
and made pany friends by his high social
qualities and kindness to the people, was in
sugurated governor week ago by ceremo-
MES sill less snowy. The managers OF the
ceremonies proposed open carriages, bands
of music and the glitter of military display.
But Gen. Stoneman crushed out the en-
thusiastic aspirations of the Inaugural Com
mittee. and forbade the assembly OF the SOL
diery or the engagement OF the musicians.
His opposition TO a grand parade and his
earuestly.expressed desire for inaugural
ceremonies of the simplest character, drove
the distressed committee TO the extreme OF
economy. These occurrences are straWs
showing that the people are returning to the
simple methods adopted by the found ers OF
the republic. Hero-worship and the
love of military display in civil at
fairs is expected in strong government
supported by bsyonets and ruled by despots.
But in republic ruled by the people, and
where the military is subordinate 10 The
civil power of the government, hero-wor-
shin is out Of place. How favorably does
the conduct of these newly inaugurated
Democratic governors contrast with the fuss
and feathers Of U. s. Grant, whose fondness
for display has given so much impetus 10
hsro-worship in the United States. He is
never happy upless- sirollins through the
country following brass-band and followed
by his obsequious ioadies. He aspired to a
third term, not because there was crisis de-
manding his services, and not for any great
good he expected TO accomplish, but be-
cause he loved to exercise power, was fond
of display and the adulation Of the funkies
II Grant should be elected presi-
dent, or even governor OF New York,
he would refuse an Inauguration unless ac-
companied by the parade which weak mindf
crave and which great men like Thomas
Jefferson detest and regard as Incompatible
with the simplicity of democratic people
Grants lust for notoriety and the great
sway which the bosses exercised, have made
the American people nation OF aunkiei
and hero-worshipers But the conduct Of
the four governors inauguraled dur
ing the past week demonstrates that al
the Democrats are restored to power there
will be return to the simple methods OF 8
government organized by the people, for the
people and ruled by the people-methodi
which the democratic masses admire ant
which ara dataatad nv allan