Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-04
THE DAY.

In its progressive march the Republic
to-day reaches another mile post in its
history. The thought that most promi-
nently presents itself, is that having passed
all our great centennial anniversaries, the
American people to-day and hereafter for
another hundred years, must celebrate the
anniversary of the birth of the Declaration
of American Independence, without any
stimulation by those specially notable
events, the recurrence of the centennial
anniversaries of which, has SO much engaged
us during the last thirteen years. The
Fourth Day of July of each year is to be
observed because of the vitalizing charac-
ter of the heroic achievements it recalls,
and the patriotic impulses and activities
inseparable from full appreciation of its
meaning. And it is well that the great
anniversary is hereafter to stand alone,
since it will better test the regard of the
people for the institutions under which
they live. 1t is observed to-day, and it is
to be from this time forward, because it is
the natal day of Republic regardless of
the fact that it may be the one hundredth,
the one hundred and thirteenth, or the
one hundred and ffticth The centen-
NAL of 1876 added nothing to the luster
of the national anniversary in real impor-
lance, and was distinguished from it in ali
other years only by the fact that it marked
the attainment Of given age. In other
words, the question should be with ma
tions, as with Individuals not how old are
we that we may boast, but what are We
that we should be proud? If we take q
brief retrospect of our national history, we
will discover that there have been no an.
niversaries distinguishing the completion
Of cycles or long periods of time, and that
there can never be any rising superior
in patriotic Importance to the nation:
birthday on any one of the dates of it:
recurrence. Around the celebration O
that day, whether it be this DAY, the next
VI OIS huHalSu years HtllCSi cluster lnt
memories of heroic deeds, patriotic self
sacrifice and devotion to the cause of hu
man rights, than which there are nont
nobler, greater or more inspiring.
1t Is well that the celebration of oul
national day of days takes on so much 0
the military character. 1t is good thins
to encourage the young men of the age il
these displays of arms, and in the bearin,
and art of the soldier. We boast of tn
reserve strength of the nation; of ou
capacity in time of need to put hundred
of thousands of men into the field at tn
first call of the bugle; that our either
soldiery is the nucleus around which tn
nation can rally in arms. While we be
lieve that a large degree of respect is in
spired for us in other parts because of tn
knowledge that in emergency we can rail-,
a splendid citizen force, we also believ
that we do not enough encourage and fos
ter the spirit, whatever its immediat
source, that inspires the young men to en-
ter the organized militia, and to emulation
in the study of the art of war in the times G
peace. Instead of belittling the Nationa
Guardsman and decrying the tendency Q
the young manhood of the nation to oil
ganize its associations on a semi militar
basis, and the disposition to give to all on
public parades a military character, let u
foster and encourage it. 1t will not hav
tendency TO make us contentious. or {
rush into conflicts; it will not only serv
rs in the time Of need, but will train tn
youth in manly art and in those discipl
nary methods, and in respect for authorit
so essential to well ordered government
and besides, and above all, it will cultivat
the patriotic spirit and bring home to tn
manhood of the nation the conviction tbs
in it is the strength and the guarantee
the perpetui.y of free institutions.