Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1892-07-09
CAN THE FOURTH BE REFORMED

A Citizen of New Haven Expresses
His Views of the Present State of
Our National Holiday and Suggests
That an Effort be Made for Re.
form.
To the Editor OF the JOURNAL AND COURIER.
In view of the accounts of casualties,
disasters and loss of life with which the
columns of our daily papers have been
filed since the Fourth, I thought that at
this time, when the patriotism of the peo-
pie (f such barbsric and uncalled for relax
of law and discipline be called patriotism)
has in measure abated and in place of
the frenzied excitement of celebrating
the Fourth" we hear weeping and lament
ing over the killed and wounded, even as
after battle, that it might be well to en-
ter protest against the present manner
of expressing our national pride and
patriotism.
1t does seem reasonable to think in view
of the advanced and enlightened state of
our present civilization that we as q nation
might find more suitable and entirely
more desirable manner of celebrating the
birth of our nation.
It would be even better to return to the
old-fashioned way of having ragamufin
professions than to have this wholesale
destruction to life and property forced on
the people, By far the most desirable
manner, however, would be to have sp-
propriate literary exercises, with the read
ing of the Declaration of Independence,
and have the whole proceedings conducted
in a way suitable to enlightened and civil
lied individuals, and make it day that
would impress itself on the minds of the
children and young people in ite true sig
nificance, as the anniversary of an impor-
tant and serious event, and not make it a
time in which free license ia extended to
all the noise and confusion possible.
Not Fourth of July now passes with
| out it's usual quota of people who have
| been killed or injured seriously. The list
of killed and injured every Fourth Of July
in the United States must foot up heavily,
equalling the losses in many battle of
| the civil war, That our national day of
rejoicing should thus have developed into
day in which it is absolutely certain that
someone's life is to be sacrificed is a blot
and stain on the community. Where the
| blow will fall no one knows. But sure it
| is to fall somewhere and thus we, in our
blind worship of that idol of all Ameri-
cans, ''The Fourth" offer up human life
l VI
paganism should be done way with and
that we celebrate this day as becomes de-
cent and sober minded citizens.
Again the present state of affairs is fast
handing the day that ought to be day of
reflection and "Reminiscences to the people
over to the small boy, and thus year by
year the older class of people take less in.
terest in the day. This is by no means as
| it should be. When the day was first rec
ognized as a national holiday it was the
men and citizens of the country who took
part in its celebration. The old state Of
| things in this respect at least ought to be
restored. For if anyone has reason to re-
joice over the freedom of the country it il
its strong men and citizens.
Americans are noted for their devotion
to idols, of which the stories of Pocahon
tas, George Washington's Ratchet ant
cherry tree and Captain Kidd's treasures
are eminent examples. The foreigner boil
laughs and wonders at our enthusiasm
over ideas and stories that there probabl,
is not grain of truth in. But when i
comes to the national madness on tn
Fourth he is astounded. He says: "Wha
manner of man is this that for one day o
the year outdoes in frenzy the Roman il
his festival of the Saturnalia." It doe
not suggest to our vast contingent of for
eign population the import and signif
canoe that should attach to it. They mis-
entirely the point that the festivities of tn
Fourth celebrate the anniversary of tina
deed which makes America a free countr
for him to come to. Thus they celebrate
unknowingly and ignorantly.
In view of the facts of the case is it no
time that some action should be taken il
the matter! Is it not time for reform
Should the American people allow this da
to degenerate and be degraded still furthe,
Its significance will be destroyed. Its abi
ity and power to inspire true patriotism
will be lost. Before it is too late let some
thing be done. Let us not mistake tn
noise of the Fourth of July frecracker 70
the ring of the pure metal of patriotism.