The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-08-14
ECHOES FROM BOSTON
Getting Under Way for the Encampment
Congratulations, Fluctuations, REPRESENTATIONS,
Decorations.
Editorial Correspondence.

begin to understand, as | never did BEFORE
why the people of Boston are so intensely
proud of their city. They have reasons which
are plain to tho dullest understanding, for
being so. And 1 don't think now SO wildly
improbable the last jokelet on this pride, which
runs in this way
" Be comforted. my dear madam" said the
attending minister at the funeral to the be-
reaved widow. "Your husband has gone to
better land"
"You forget, sir" said tho widow, in a tone
of naughty reproof, that my husband lived
in Boston"
The pride which the Bostonians feel is not the
unreasoning affection which other people feel
in the places where they were born or are
living simply because they are their birth
places or homes. Boston is worthy of all the
pride and affection felt for her, because she is,
always has BEEN and always will BIO q leader
in all that is best. There are other. larger
cities in the country; there are several which
do moro business, which are more important
conters capitals of greater area of enter
prising, prosperous country, but Boston is still
the Boston she has always been since her
history began New York may be the greatest
port in the western hemisphere, and one of tho
half most populous cities in the world
Chicago may rise like an exhalation," to use
one Of Websters SMILES, outstripping all rivals
save New York Philadelphia may build her
greatness, as on rock, on the solid prosperity
of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware;
St Louis may be crowned Queen of the Missis-
sippi Valley, San Francisco become the great
doorway through which passes our commerce
with the half Of the worlds people who dwell
on the teeming plains of Asia; Cincinnati may
abdicate her once proud throne as "Queen Of
the West" grass grow in the streets of once
famous Charleston, and New Orleans sink from
Mistress of the Gulf to the home of the Louisi-
ana Lottery other cities may rise TO the front
rank on tho wave Of development of surround
ing country or fall behind the distance-pole in
the race-away in remote corner of the Re-
public; but Boston FORCES steadily onward,
growing richer every year ever welding more
influence, and becoming more essential part
of the country. A half score of our cities have
a greater population and 100 have better com
mcrcial locations. but none of them have
deeper and more abiding hold on the country.
Why is this? The explanation is very sim
pie. Boston started with larger proportion Of
progressive, cnterprising men and women than
any other community in our country. and she
has kept up this advantage In any 100 of her
citizens there has always been more live, ener-
getic, thorough. going men than in 100 men in
any other community. They have placed oil
standards higher, and emulated each other in
living up to them.
Whatever men do Bostonians try to do better
than most men, and there Is no contentment
In Boston with anything that is not superior
to what can be found elsewhere. Whether it be
cleaning streets, or running a hotel, or writing
poem it must be done as good if not better
than the best done elsewhere.
Therefore the sojourner in the City is In
constant admiration of all that he sees. He
compares what he finds buildings, streets,
hotels public grounds, accommodations, with
what he has been accustomed to. and always
with admiration.
Especially is this impressive If he journeys
from south Of the Potomac. score of hours
after he leaves ragged, shiftless, poverty
stricken Virginia, with her lazy. comfortless-
ness, whining Incidence, her wTetched pre-
lenses of roads, her crowds Of unkempt i'll
clad loafers about the tumble down stations he is
whirling through New England over perfectly
level roadbed past trim cottages. with every out
ward detail neat aud pleasant TO the eye-fences
strong and free from ragged brush, fields we'll
titled, cattle sleek and comfortable, station
houses as fine INTELLECTUALLY as nobleman's
castle. and surrounded by ornamental grounds,
the roads well mecadamized and crossing
the streams by substantial bridges and the
people who come on the train well clothed and
with intelligent, cultivated faces. The nearer
you get TO Boston the moro pronounced these
features. and the last 100 miles of the journey
is through yeritable garden, with imposing
buildings and lovely grounds greeting the eye
everywhere. Yet the soil and the location are
no better than in sluggish old Virginia.
| find my pleasure in the city and the seen
cry has betrayed me into longer eulogy than
had intended. But what have said fails to
adequately express the delight felt by all COM
radcs ut the preparations being made for the
! Encampment. The ride through tho lovely
/ country prepared one for beautiful city ROBBED
| in garments Of joy To welcome houored guests
| Their highest expectations have been realized.
! No city ever looked more attractive than
Boston does, with her superb public grounds in
the heart of the city, her wide avenues in the
newer part lined with noble mansions statues
trees. flowers and fountains everywhere, and
| the tall buildings blazing with bunting.
| Boston has started in her usual large handed
thorough going way To give the National En-
campment such an entertainment as ii never
before had, aud il will be done The amount
of money placed at the disposal of the Com
mittee for this purpose is nearly, If not quite,
double that devoted TO il by any other city,
and the expenditures have been made shrewdly
The program of the entertainment is immense,
aud every one of the great crowd present will
have his fill of sightseeing and amusement
Ii is believed that not less than n quarter of
| million visitors will DO here.
SUNDAY. Aug. 10.
The general drift of the talk is strongly
Veazey ward The New Enganders are gener-
ally enthusiastic for him, his own Department of
Vermont being particularly so. He is also quite
strong in Massachusetts. Illinois aud Penn
sylvania are understood to be ready to unite
on him. although no formal action to that effect
has been taken. or can be until all OF the del.