New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-14
cR1TEFUL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

n is nroper that The TRIBUNE should SIGNIFY
in an emphatic manner its appreciation of the
courtesy and kindness which it has lately re-
oeived. Its semi-centennial anniversary was
naturally an event of great interest in this
Office and we were sure in advance of the good
will and sympathy of our readers. We relied,
moreover, upon the friendly temper OF our con-
temporaries and the community in general, but
we frankly acknowledge that we have been sur
prised and profoundly gratified by the voIume
and warmth of the congratulations that nave
poured in upon us. The audience OF last Fri
day evening was in itself an Invaluable COM
pliment and recognition 1t included men emil
nent in all departments OF activity, strong ad-
vocates of opposing views on many pubic ques-
tions, not few whose dearest interests ana de-
sires might be regarded as hostile to ours, and
q great number of persons from distant points
who made no small sacrifice of time and con-
venience to be present. We wish to claim no
more than we are entitled to, and certainly the
programme was such as to suggest an evening
of keen enjoyment without reference to the
special meaning of the celebration; but wheh
allowance has been made for public curiosity
to see and hear distinguished men the tribute
remains significant and superb
But the scenes occurrences and utterances
of Friday evening were only beginning OF our
birthday congratulations. The press OF the
country. 50 far as our immense exchange list
indicates its sentiment, and without an excep-
t;on worth noting, is of one mind as to the in
torest and importance of the occasion, and unani-
mons in cordial recognition of THE TRIBUNE's
Mace and services The Editor of "The Sum-
q VII
most conspicuous evidence of their approval by
their presence on the stage and their spoken
words, as did hundreds of other Journalists OF
both parties by their attendance; our contempo-
raries all over the Union through the columns
of their papers have been joining in the chorus
ever since. and notable men of all parties
creeds and sections have assured us by letter
of their sympathy and regard.
Now we do not intend to force into this
demonstration a meaning which it does not pos
sess. We do not anticipate or desire exemption
hereafter from the hard blows to which we have
been accustomed in the past We shall expect
to make mistakes and to have our attention
called to them in the most unoeremonious ana
emphatic manner; to arouse antagonlsms ana
be compelled TO defend ourselves to suffer dis
appointment from occasional defeat and to mar
vel at the obstinacy of those who refuse to be
converted to our ways OF thinking. But we be-
eve, nevertheless, that these birthday greet
ings which we gratefully accept are not per-
functory They have meaning which is OF
real Importance and value to the country. II
we interpret them Alright they mean that an
enormous force is constantly at work by differ
ent methods but with unity of purpose for the
promotion of intelligence, morality and good
government The newspapers, the public men,
the writers and the speakers of the country are
arraycd on both sides in politics in nearly equal
numbers, but there is broad field Of service
on which they can and do stand and work to-
gether with varying capacity and consistency
but with results in the aggregate splendid and
enduring.