New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-02
or for the working millions more oenenoen'
than in these United State&
THE TIMES NOT OUT OF JOINT.

The celebration being over, and the events
Of the week having passed into history like the
great achievements which they cOmmemorated,
there is no improperly in recalling some OF the
utterances made here and elsewhere, for the
purpose of dissenting emphatically from the
IDEAS which they conveyed. The tendency OF
mankind to depreciate the present time is never
so strong, and for the same reason never so
natural, as on the anniversaries OF great days
in the past But that is neither the truest nor
the most useful employment OF such occasions
which finds its keynote in disparagement OF inc
men and institutions Of to-day. Modes OF
thought and outlets of activity have undergone
manifold changes with the lapse OF time but
It is our privilege and our duty to believe and
to declare that the present Is better than the
past, that humanity sweeps onward" ana
that moral growth keeps pace with material
progress. -.
The sanest and the most penetrating intelli-
gence is not doubtful nor Respondent. Inc
country has not been celebrating during the
last three days in gloom and despair the em-
norary triumph of virtues which were long ago
exhausted in an unequal struggle with the
mower, of darkness. The flame OF enthusiasm
which has kindled the continent is not, as some
of the censors to whom we have listened would
seem to imply, a ftfu CLEAN which merely
serves to illuminate for a moment the great
man from whom we have degenerated and
creat deeds which are no longer possible. Bet
ter than any other character in history Wash
inaton has doubtless stood the scrutiny OF
hundred years, but even Washington was
human, and he was surrounded by those whose
fraities were the frailties Of to-day. Our early
records furnish abundant proof that the heroes
of the Revolution were subject to the same
passions that animate their descendants, and
ebullitions of "envy, hatred, malice and all
Observation-Disclosures" darken the same pages which
tell of immortal sufferings and sacrifices. Inc
impartial historian who vcnerates the hgure OF
Washington cannot forget the storm OF obloquy
amid which he stood unqnailing and serene.
They take partial, delusive and dangerous
view who seek to convert the world TO pes
81 nism The vices which are too often OBJ
truded as the specific and exclusive character
istics of our time arc vices with which our an
cestors commended. Washington again and
again in his correspondence refers to the SUI
Dremacy OF sclfshness which threatened tho
country. and rebuked the mad pursuit OF riches
which seemed to be on the verge of sitting
the higher life OF his generation. We are in
the habit of clarifying the austere virtues and
the sublime simplicity which won our indie
pondence and established our claim to place
among the nations, but Washington had less to
saw about such qualities than about their oppo-
sites. The means Of luxury have indeed multi
piled hundredfold. but it is not by the variety
and profuseness of the things which minister
L., ,ho II In ubr
are employed, that people must be judged;
and il Washington was competent observer
the spirit which prevails now was prevalent
then. Nor were the rewards Of personal am
bitiOn sought less eagerly and with less skill
full use of the most convenient agencies In those
days than in our own. Nor again is it fhr or
commendable to speak Of intrigue and manip
ulation as if they were the exclusive nipple
ments OF offceseckers. The struggle for prefer
| ment in its most offensive type Is not and never
was confined to tho political arena.
The most brilliant vindicaton of the present
| from the reprOaches of those TO whom the paet
alone Is admirable is found in the inimitable
Third Chapter OF Macaulay. II is, or was, the
fashion to decry the English historian. and
supcrcilious critics have delighted to find flaws
| in his vivid picture. but the spint which in
forms il is unchangcably true and beneicent
There Is neither honor nor profit In denying at
any time or for any purpose that the world is
constantly becoming through human endeavor
filter habitation for human beings. And
least Of all does depreciation become thosc
who witkn quarter Of century have seen
their country emerge from tho hurricane OF
civil war not shattered and dcmoralized, but
saved and glorificd by the faith, the valor, the
fortitude, the devotion and the self sacrifice
Of its sons and daughters.