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 fftieth. 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 a
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 nations
birthday on any one of the dates of its
recurrence. Around the celebration of
that day, whether it be this DAY, the next,
or one hundred years hence, cluster the
memories of heroic deeds, patriotic self
sacrifice and devotion to the cause of hui
man rights, than which there are none
nobler, greater or more inspiring.
It Is well that the celebration of our
national day of days takes on so much OF
the military character. 1t is good thing
to encourage the young men of the age in
these displays of arms, and in the bearing
and art of the soldier We boast of the
reserve strength of the nation; of our
capacity in time of need to put hundreds
of thousands of men into the field at the
first call of the bugle; that our citizen
soldiery is the nucleus around which the
nation can rally in arms. While we be-
lieve that large degree of respect is in
spired for us in other parts because of the
knowledge that in emergency we can rally
splendid citizen force, we also believe
that we do not enough encourage and foS-
ter the spirit, whatever its immediate
SNuANSI Nliit ilAlCS llit SOulIS lutll 10 Ell
ter the organized militia, and to emulation
in the study of the art of war in the times oil
peace Instead of belittling the National
Guardsman and decrying the tendency OF
the young manhood Of the nation to or.
ganize its associations on semi military
basis, and the disposition to give to all our
public parades military character, let us
foster and encourage If. 1t will not have
tendency to make us contentious, or tC
rush into conflicts; it will not only serve
us in the time of need, but will train the
youth in manly art and in those disciple
nary methods, and in respect for authority
50 essential to well ordered government
and besides, and above all, it will cultivate
the patriotic spirit and bring home to the
manhood of the nation the conviction that
in it is the strength and the guarantee o
the perpetui.y of free institutions.