St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-23
LOOKING BACKWARD.
Patriotic Americans Com
memorate Washington's
Anniversary.
Great Orators Rehearse the
History of the Hero Of
the Hatchet.
Cleveland's Eloquence Ap-
plauded by Southrons in
Gotham.
Chief Justice Fuller Speaks
of the Federal Judiciary
in Chicago.

IN chicago.
NEW YORK, Feb. 22.-The Southern
society gave banquet tonight in cele-
bration of WashingtOn's birthday.
Among the guests was ex-President
Grover Cleveland, who was introduced
in a highly mplimentary speech by
John C. Calhoun, and responded to the
toast 1.-THE Birthday of George Wash
ington."
Mr.. Cleveland said: 1t is sometimes
said of US that we have too few holl-
days, and this perhaps is true. We do
not boast the antiquity nor the long his
tory which accumulateS numerous days
of national civic observance; and the
rush and activity of our peoples life
are not favorable to that con-
servative and deliberate sentiment
which creates and establishes holi-
DAYS. So far as such days
might commemorate the existence or
achievements of some conspicuous per-
sonage, their infrequency may be
largely attributed to our democratic
spirit and the presumption arising 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, i'll his
sphere, be patriot. and that every
faculty of greatness and usefulness
with which he is endowed will be de-
voted to his country and his fellow
man. We have had no dearth
of distinguished men, and nc
better heroism has anywhere
been seen than here. But they belong
so naturally to us, that we usually
deem them sufficiently noticed aid
commemorated when they are acknOwl-
edged as contributions to the common
fund of our national pride and glory.
Thus 1t happens that in this country
but two birthdays are publicly cele-
brated. We reverently speak of one as
the day when the Redeemer Of Man.
kind appeared among men. On the
other the man was born whose mission
it was to redeem the American people
from bondage and dependence, and to
display to the world the possibility Of
POPULAR RSELF-GOVERNMENT.
It would be strange indeed if this day
should ever be neglected by our fellow
countrymen. 1t would be like ma
tion'S biotting out the history which ce-
mentS its governmental edifice or eX-
punging its traditions from which flow
that patriotic love and devotion Of its
HlIlSIl UCSU
of peaceful rule and popular content
ment. 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
necessary elements to the full and con-
tinued enjoyment of American freedom,
prosperity and happiness. We are apt
to forget these things in our engross-
ment with the activities which attend
the development of our country and in
the impetuous race after wealth. which
has become characteristic of our peO-
pie. There is danger that we may grow
needless of the fact that our institu
tions are a precious legacy which, for
their own sake, should be
jealously watched and guarded,
and there is danger that this con-
dition may induce selfishness and sor-
didness, followed by the idea that pat
riOtism and morality have no place in
statecraft and that q political career
may be entered upon like any other
trade for private profit and advantage.
This is frightful departure from the
rest; and surely it is the extreme of
folly to hope that our scheme of govern
nent will effect its 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 SEN
timent and all conception of morality
and patriotism in public life, but do not
for moment delude yourselves into the
belief that you are navigating in the
safe course marked out by those who
Is Washington accused even in these
days of being sentimentalist?
Listen to the admonition he
addressed ''as an old and affec-
tionate friend'' to his fellow country
men whom he loved SO well and for
whom he had labored so long, as he re-
tired from their service: 'Of all the
dispositions and habits which lead to
political prosperity, religion and moral
ity are indispensable supports. In vain
would that man claim the tribute of
patriotism who should labor to subvert
these great pillars of human happiness,
these tirmest props of 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-
Tectly to our situation when he adds {:
''It is substantially true that virtue or
morality is necessary spring of popu-
lar government" When did we out
grow these sentiments? When did we
advance so far in knowledge above our
fathers as safely to cast aside these be-
1iefs? Let us be sober and thoughtful,
and If we find that these things have
lost their hold on our minds and hearts,
lot nc fakp SOundippQ 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
observance 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
necd-a better appreciation of true
American citizenship. l do not mean
by this that thoughtless pride of
country, which is everywhere
assumed sometimes without sin.
cerity. nor that sordid attach.
tnent born of benefits received
or favors expected, but that deep and
sentimental love for our citizenship
which flows from the consciousness thai
the blessing of heaven was invoked al
its birth; that it was nurtured in the
faith of God; and that it grew strong in
the self-denyIng patriotism OF our faith
erS and In their love of mankind. Such
an apprehension of American citizen
ship will eonsecrate US all to the disin-
terested service of our country, and in