Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-27
GEORGE WAS NOT FORGOTTEN
Washington's Birthday Celebrated in
Fitting Manner.
Grover Cleveland Delivers an Address
in New York City.
Chief Justice Fuller Eulogises the
Father of His Country.

NEW I ORR, Feb. 22.-Ihe fourth an
nual dinner of the New York Southern So
ciety tonight was largely attended. Pres
ident Calhoun in his address referred to
the loss he had sustained in the death OF
Jefferson Davis and Henry W Grady, and
concluded: Let us seek to win the admi-
ration of the people of the North by our
devotion to the Union and our intense love
of every section of our con mon country"
The principal speaker of the evening
was Ex-president Cleveland, who respond
ed to the toast, Birthday of Geo. Wash
ington. In introducing him, Mr. Cal
houn spoke briefly of Mr.. Cleveland s
political career, saying in conclusion
''Since the expiration of his term he has
lived among US, the most unassuming of
citizens. but bearing with him constantly
In the incoming and outgoing of his daily
life, the respect and confidence and love of
the people, over whom he presided in a
manner, and to an extent never equalled
since the days of Washington himself. -
When Mr. Cleveland rose he was greeted
with great applause, and spoke substan-
italy as follows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:
It's sometimes said ofus that we have too
few holidays, and this perhaps is true We
do not boast of the antiquity nor the long
history which accumulates numerous days
Of national civic observance; and the rush
and activity of our peoples life are not so
favorable to that conservative and deliber-
ate sentiment which creates and establishes
holidays. So far as such days might COM
memorate the existence or achievements of
some conspicuous parsonage, their infre-
quency may be largely attributed to our
democratic spirit and the presumption aris-
ing from our institutions. In this land of
ours-owned, possessed and governed by
the people-we, in theory at least, demand
and expect that every man will, in his
sphere, be a patriot, and that every faculty
Of greatness and usefulness with
which he is endowed, will
be devoted to his country and his fellow
man. We have had no dearth of distin-
guished men and no better heroisn has
anywhere been seen than here But they
belong so naturally to us, that we usually
deem them sufficiently noticed and COM
memorated when they are acknowledged
as contributions to the common fund of
our national pride and glory.
Thus 1t happens that IN this country but
two birthdays are publicly celebrated. We
reverently speak of one as the day when the
Redeemer of Mankind appeared among
men. On the other the man was born
whose mission it was to redeem the Amer
lean people from bondage and dependence
and to display to the world the possibility
of popular self-government.
1t would be strange indeed if this day
should be neglected by our fellOw-country-
men. 1t would be like nation blotting
out the history which cements its govern
mental edifce or expunging its traditions
from which flow that patriotic love and
devotion of its people which are the best
guarantees of peaceful rule and popular
cOntentment.
We certainly need at least one day which
shall recall to our minds the truth that
the price of our country was unselfish
labor and sacrifice, that men fought and
suffered that. we might be free, and that
love and American brotherhood are nee
essary elements to the full and continued
enjoyment of American freedom, prosper
ity ard happiness.
We are apt to forget these things in our
engrossment with the activities which at
tend the development of our country and
in the impetuous race after wealth which
has become a characteristic Of our people.
There is danger that we may grow heed
less of the fact that our institutions are a
precious legacy which for their own sake
should be jealousy watched and guarded,
and there is danger that this condition
may induce selfshness and sordidness fol-
lowed by the idea that patriotism and
morality have no place in statecraft and
that a political career may be entered
upon like any other trade for private profit
and advantage
This is a frightful departure from the
doctrines upon which our institutions rest;
and surely it is the extreme of folly to
hope that our scheme of government will
effect It's purpose and intent when every
condition of It's birth and life is neglected.
Point to your immense fortunes if you
will; point to your national growth and
prosperity; boast OF the day of practical
politics; and discard as obsolete, all senti-
ment and all conception of morality and
patriotism in public life, but do not for a
moment delude yourselves into the belief
that you are navigating in the safe course
marked out by those who launched and
blessed the Ship of State.
IsWashington accused even In thesedays
of being a sentimentalist? Listen to the
liz duOutSS6u DIS jill Olu dllu dl-
fectionate friend to his fellow cOuntrymen
whom he loved so well and for whom he
had labored so long, as he retired from
their service:
''Of all the dispositions and habits
which lead to political prosperity, religion
and morality are indispensable supports.
In vain would that man claim the tribute
of patriotism who should labor to subYert
these great pillars of human happiness,
these frmest props on the duties of men
and citizens. The mere politician equally
with the pious man ought to respect and
cherish them.
And all is summed up and applied di-
rectly to our situation when he adds:
st is substantially true that virtue or
morality IS a necessary spring of popular
government.
When did we outgrow these senti-
ments? When did we advance so far in
knowledge above our fathers as safely to
cast aside these beliefs? Let US be sober
and thoughtful, and if we find that these
things have lost their hold on our minds
and hearts, let US take soundings, for the
rocks are near
We need in our public and private life
such pure and chastened sentiments as
result from the sincere and heartfelt obser-
vance Of days like this. and we need such
quickening of our patriotism as the sedate
contemplation of the life and character of
Washington creates.
Most of all, because it includes all we
need better appreciation of true Ameri-
can citizenship. ] do not mean by this
that thoughtless pride of country, which is
everywhere assumed sometimes without
sincerity, nor that sordid attachment born
of benefits received or favors expected, but
that deep and sentimental love for our cit
izenshin which flows from the conscious