Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-11-02
A, last. after wears of waiting and worrv :,


tiers.
At last, after years Of waiting and worry the
people OF New York city can see looming up in
the heart OF their beautiful bay, the statue of
Liberty Enlightening the World. The history
of the Bartholdi enterprise has some features
which II would be pleasant to forget. II reversed
the usual current OF such affairs. One would
scarcely suppose that the acceptance of a great
work of art by the commercial capital of rich
nation would be delayed so long for lack OF
money topay for piece of masonry to set IL on.
II the foundation had been built and the city
had had TO wait for the statue, 1t would have
been easier TO understand
great deal OF foolishness has been said and
written about the effect of this gift of the French
people upon the relations of the two republics
On the other hand, there is equal absurdity In
the sarcastic sneer OF q London newspaper
which sums up the matter in the statement that
our country Is the richer to-day by a monument
which did not cost her anything. 1t Is true
that, If provocation should offer, we might go
TO war with France next week, regardless of the
fact that she Is a sister republic, that Lafay-
cite and Rochambeau had a hand in our revo-
luton q century ago, or that Bedloe's island
contains statue by the most noted OF French
sculptor& Nevertheless no monument which
Is beautiful and dignided in itself was ever
thrown away upon the people in the midst of
whom IL was Set up. 1t Is reminder of the
past and q stimulus for the future. To look
daily upon the statue of a hero inspires the
soul Of youth with heroic sentiments. To have
recalled to the mind, through q souvenir from
q friend. the old days OF cordial intercourse,
warns the heart afresh even after long separa.
ton or temporary estrangement; and the huge
bronze monitor In New York harbor cannot
tail to exert its nfiuence-uneonscious. per-
haps, 10 the object of that influence himself
upon the feeling of every American who sees
1T, toward the people who placed it there and
toward the glorious principle 1t typifies.
Mere laws count for little If not enforced, but
1t Is sometimes a comfort to know that public
sentiment has reached a point where the enact
ment of law is possible, tor that is the first
step In a series leading to the end sought by the
law. The legislature OF New York at its late
session put upon the statute book an act forbid
ding any one to purchase, or have in possess
sion, or expose for sale" any wild bird other
than q game bird, 'or any part thereof, after
the same has been killed" The penalty is i'm
prtsonment, or a fine, or both, and the informer
receives malt the money paid into court If this
prohibition were vigorously enforced we should
soon see one great market for American birds
close Its doors, and, in other parts OF the coun-
try where the ladies copy the fashions from
New York, trade in the bodies OF our little
The law goes to the bottom of the subject The
milliners who supply the local demand are lia-
bic TO arrest and the fine which they would
nave to pay for one ofense, varying from five
70 twenty five dollars, would take all the profit
out of q dozen sales. Pennsylvania has had
law for the last ten years for the protection of
wild birds, but 1t has been practically dead
letter from the start. The encouragement
which humane people draw from the existence
Of nuch statutes 9 the that there mora
tender hearts among mankind than appear at a
nrst glance. Nevertheless, tenderness of heart
and hundred volumes of laws will amount to
nothing II there be no concerted action on the
part Of the birds defenders. Why the societies
Tor the prevention of cruelty to animals in New
York and Pennsylvania do not make as hard a
Vet upon the bird-destroyer as upon the man
who cruelty beats his horse or kicks his dog is
question. 1t is probably because their atten-
ton has not been called to the subject. They
could not only break up q bad practice, but OBJ
tain a very considerable revenue for their
treasury, to be spent on other good objects.
To-day there will be elections in thirty.hve
states; nine of them voting only for Congress
men. The probabilities are that the republi.
cans will gain several Congressman, but not
enough to overcome the democratic majority in
the House. On the other band the democrats
may possibly make some inroads upon the re.
publican majority in the Senate by capturing a
Legislature here or there in the close states of
New Jersey, Indiana, Connecticut, New York
and California. Much interest centers In the
mayoralty election In New York city. There is
wide discrepancy of claims for the rival can.
ddates, but there can be little doubt of the cleo.
ton Of Hewitt, the democratic candidate, by a
good plurality.
II Mr.. Henry George would expend as much
effort In showing the poor men of New York
city how to go south and west and get all the
land they can use for nothing, as in proving TO
them that they have right TO take away that
which Others have already got by labor. he
would do more good to them and reap more
real profit for himself There is plenty of room
for reform in the land system OF America but
there Is also q right and "a wrong place to be.
gin It. $50 -
There must be something antagonistic to dra.
matte genius In the atmosphere of Chicago.
Rosina Vokes Is stricken down with heart dis
ease, Clara Morris falls a victim to her nerves
again, and Henrietta Chanfrau swoous away
shortly before the hour of mounting the stage
All three ladies are actors of so marked ability
that any accident to them is q matter ef public
concern; and, with such a coincidence for a
warning. the prudent piay-goer should here
after make point OF seeing his fayorise stars
before their seasons visit to Chicago 6
II WAS strongly suspected that Representative
Collins, OF Massachusetts, would not remain
oodurate till election day, III he heard his
friends unanimously demanding his return to
congress. AT the eleventh hour he has con-
sented to stand again; and the local democratic
committee having the matter in charge have
Withdrawn the names of the two candidates
who have been fighting over the nomination
and run out Collins ticket from their boxes to-
day. This will be pleasant news to democrats
generally, and to Mr.. Collins associates In the
House without distinction OF party.
Ii current reports of the matrimonial inten.
tions Of James Russell Lowell are correct. IL ia
not wonderful that he made haste TO set himself
right after the Hawthorne interview concern
ing persons In high places in England. SEN
sibie man does rot seek opportunities TO Quarrel
with his neighbors, and an American who pur
poses marrying dowager duchess is not the
person We should look TO for q satirical arraign
ment Of her sovereign.
People who remember the desire of Alexan-
der /. Stewart To establish a home for young
women In New York city. and the fate of his
pet project after his death, have doubtless