The Pascagoula democrat-star., 1888-09-21
NUMBER 30.
We Nominate the Golden.Rod.

New York Observer
Although we are compelled 10
refrain from engaging in the poll.
tical controversies of the hour,
there Is at least one issue now be.
fore the people on which we feel
free to express our opinions with
out let or hindfance. 1t is an
issue which, from the very nature
OF The case, will not likely to
arouse any violent passions, or
afford any occasion for that mud
throwing, or exchange of abusive
personalities which to often form a
conspicuous feature of our political
contests. The issue TO which we
referis the selection of a national
Hover. This question was first
brought before the public in def
nlfe shape at the recent session of
the Society of American Florists
in tins city. A committee was ap-
pointed by the Society to select
flower which might be adopted as
the floral emblem of the American
Republic. We are glad the com
mlttee was appointed, but we doubt
very much whether any for or five
persons are competent to settle a
question Of such Importance to the
American people. That can only
be done satisfactorily by popular
vote. This is the true democratic
fashion, and it is the right fashion.
The committee may, however, per
form useful service in agitaling
the question. Agitation is also
democratic fashion, and right
fashion too, when the ends sought
by agitation are worthy, and the
agitation itself is not too violent.
The controversy over the national
flower question is now open at all
events, and we therefore proceed
to throw ourselves bodily into it.
1t is surely high time that
selection Of this kind was made.
England has her rose, Scotland
her thistle, Ireland her shamrock,
France her lily; and why should
not America have her floral repre-
sentative, also +! There is surely
no lack of flowers native 10 the
soil from which a choice may be
made. This question has already
been discussed to some extent in
the horticultural journals, and
several nominations have been an
nounced. The american Florist
has come outln favor of the pansy;
another journal has put the trailing
lrbutus at the head of its ticket,
md Vjck'S Magazine has declared
or combination Of the golden-rod
md the aster. 1t is probable that
. choice will eventually fall upon
ONE one of these four candidates.
We have decided, after long and
aretu! deliberation, TO champion
he cause Of the golden-rod. We
annOt second the nomination of
ticks Hdgasile, because we are not
a favor of the combination it pro-
0ses. We want a national flower,
ot t,cO national flowers, or any
of two. The golden
ID stands by itself IN the pastures
nd by the roadsides, and it can
and by itself on our ticket. 1t is
true emblem of democracy. 1t
sturdy; it is independent; it is
ee. 1t is not sectional flower.
knows no East, no West, no
0rth, no South. 1t is at home
as happy and radiant
hen it lifts itself above the sod ola
plain as when 1T mods in
e breezes of a Northern valley.
it particularin such mat
rs as soil and surroundings. 1t
II accommodate itself to almost
Y circumstances, and be Just as
eet and beautiful in one place
another. In the pasture, in the
'ad0w, on the hillside, by the
cam, it is everywhere the same
ble and glorious flower; unpre-
liious and simple in its attire,
rich and strong in its beauty;
,lest aud unobstrusive in its
bits, yet not too shy and retiring.
hlle it is not above growing
ywhere, il never grows where it
not wanted. If there is any one
Ut that the golden-rod loves
re than another, it is country
ld-sIde Herein it shows its
instincts. 1t is the
)ple's flower, and il prefers to
ice itself where the people can
d it, not in obscure hooks or
hind jealously-guarded fences
d walls, but out by the highway
ere the rich and poor, those who
e and those who walk. the
airy, the lame, the halt and the
nd may rejoice in its loveliness
4 be gladdened by IFS fragrance.
ese are not all the reasons why
believe the golden-rod is en-
ed 10 the honor of being chosen
the National Flower Of Amenca;
le and space would fail Us 10
ount all the virtues and peculiar
of our candidate,
eh as We have gwen, we leave
the consideration Of our candid
J, We hope, unprejudlced readers.