New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-28
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
THE SONS OF THE REVOLUTION.


''uH OF THE AIMS AND PURPOSES OF TIKI
PATRIOTIC ORGANIZATION
20 me bd'tor or TAe Tribune
, or III America stands to-day in the forefront 0
Se age 1t Is because. more than any other country
she represents the sentiment and the future OF man
I'M Great are hor opportunities. equally great no
.''pohsDhtea. and what her future is to be mus
De ueelued. not so much by the vastness OF lie
,.eNAn'cAi forces as by the exalted manhood Of he
o-'nenS' State Is good or bad or Indifferent &C
oouhg 10 the drectness and correctness with whicl
oilnXs TO an expression the best reason and con
Science Oh the people. and embodlcs their iudgmen
Al INSTITUTIONS and laws. Now, as 10 the enlarginI
a"i strengthening of American manhood, We CLAIM
lAt 'hs historical spirit is wise and uplifting IN
uuchce' and the object of this letter is to speak o.
'ai' moro particularly represented in the work o
inc soclenes OF the Sons OF the Revolution as now
oe'~oushed In eleven different States. An affection
a.o reverence for all that is best in the past' says
'i'. DiSdstone. and careful conservation Of It's
iV"ofles Is most important means OF prepare
uon Tor the great future before usn
iouhg As Is America, her historic memories are
second 10 none in the elements Of heroism and self
~o1ihce. and the story Of the American Revolution
u repiete with the most inspiring personalities Be
cause fully onehslf Of our present population are
ignorant OF and do not revere these memories. 50
Sacred 10 an od-time citizen, all the more need Is
ulore OF such societies those mentioned to revive
ioSe memories. and so far as Is possible, make them
M active. living influence In our National life.
80 through each successive generation, fuel
sha be added TO tho fire of patriotic spirit which
mas come down to US In tho blood Of our Revolu-
uohary slres and mothers. And We the daughters
ana sons Of the Revolution should strive TO inspire
our adopted brothers and sisters from other lands
Win something Of our love and reverence for not
oDN Inc history OF this country but the principles
That actuated the hearts and minds of those heroic
founders Of a nation.
80 unrestricted has been our immigradon--the
country lacks in homoGeney, and how to asslmllate
The many conflicting elements which have been thrust
IN upon our body polite seems a problem difficult OF
SOLUTION. New-York is to-day, as IL wore the capital
OF the Irish Republic. and tho third largest German
city in the world Then among our great empires in
the West in several cities and towns English Is little
used and only German taught I'm the schools. We
can never make our common schools nurseries OF
patriotism unless under the aegs Of the flag and the
teaching Of, first and foremost own loved English
tongue.
am no pessimst slaunst, but some forms of
iorognsm In our country make mo fear that all that
so-called Triumphant Democracy" has in store for
US IS the certainty of seeing ITSELF IT. were the prma
mass or protoplasm, in time superseded By higher
and more lasting form Of development We must not
forget that with civil liberty emnenty historical
ana institutional. and is continually making upon the
whole mass OF the people demand for perpetual ac-
ilviy Of both reason and conscience to re-examine
rights and duties, the public creed about which IS con
tinuslly changing and TO readjus their equilibrium.
Surely the influence Of the societies herein referred
to, divorced as they are absolutely from religious
iona or political partisanship and ever keeping pOml
nent the nobest Of principles must help greatly to
educate the mind and the heart of every citizen. Tho
tendency too Of these associations is TO indlvldualize
the man in the social and political sense, an object
vital TO the welfare Of tho Republic since in the in
crease Of our great Industries trusts and combnes,'
the citizen individual seems fast disappearing
from the industrial While a truly American
society We would favor all due restrictions upon mml
grafton and refuse fellowship with the worst elements
of European civilization, would welcome every
opportunity Of moulding into true American principles
of government every lover of progress and liberty
AT the same time. when, for almost the mere asking
the newcomer is made q sharcr IN our abundance and
sits at table Of bountes shall we demand that
be shall be clothed upon with spirit and act yea
II need be- fight, as an American
Tho constitution Of the National organization of the
Sons Of tho American Revolution land tho state So
cieticS have tho same law requires for membership
that the applicant shall be above twentyone years
OF age and descended from ancestor who either
military or naval officer, soldier, sailor or as an
official or recognized subordinate in the service Of any
one OF the thirteen original Colonies or States, or OF
the National Government representing or composed
of those Colonies states, assisted In establishing
American Independence during the War Of the Revo-
luton" But limited is tnis membership It IS TO
the society's principles and plan OF action and
e. pecally of its devotion 10 the preservation OF our
historic al memories that want particularly 10 call
attention. Aud l would through these columns, so
well known at every hresde, excite, If possible, in
every citizen desire 10 read and become familiar
with those inspiring heroes Of our history whose free
dom from sectonallsm Is goOdly lesson Tor us OF
to-day and should help US TO again unite those bonds
Of friendship among the States sadly shat tered "
the War OF 1861 Then these examples and the
study OF their lives Is Standing protest against
the reign OF a materials and that dcuS3 vi
greed and sefseeng nimical 10 any true progress
The men OF 1776 were loyal 10 a cherished principle
and priced II more than peace or life They wore
mon OF heroic o0nstancy and Of republican simplicity
In the memories OF that glorious epoch. over 100
years ago. Bunker HI rects yorktown and Mon
mouth does horo" 10 Monltre, and both in common !
rnnnclae anew their faith In tho faharhoOd of Wash
ncton and the brotherhood Of tho Sons of the Revo
luton. a.,
Thero Is with Us to-day tcO much of headlong de
rotion 20 trade and oXtravagan confidence in |
our talent and activity. sort OF scOrnfnl materiasn
and NAV we not by tho means have spoken or DO |
toward checking tbs spirit and displacing
Z with such IDEAS and ideals as Shall make America
what she should be, the guide and lawgyer OF all
truth, great charity OF God 70 the human
ace >. - Ft,Mi ILL
o. the Revolution. |
Arvcrne By the Sea, L. l., Aug %. 1889.