The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-17
HOLIDAYS OF AMERICA.
PLENTY or OPPORTUYITIEy FOR
CELEBRATIOH.
But No True National Festiva1s-The As
sertion That Gas a Holiday Maker the
American 10 Not Success.

maker the American citizen is not sue
cess, is liable TO incur a considerable
amount OF adverse criticism, II not scep-
teal scorn. Nevertheless, the facts OF INC
case sustain the statement.
Granted. Americans have sufficiency OF
DAYS set apart for certain annual ooserV-
ances which partake. measurably' OIL ule
nature OF holiday making. but WIN one
or two exceptions. hereafter TO be speci-
fed these are all partial In character,
appealing exclusively 80 a sectlon' rather
than to a. people. Wild enthusiasm may
be manifested over holiday by one eeS
of neople. against which may be discerned
the coolest Indifference Of another
rrhese celebrations. almost purely sec
tiona1 are further localized by a universal
and thoroughly American spirit Of enter
nrise which perverts them to the exploit
ing of some cherished scheme or boosted
achievement.
But for great national holidays, such as
Charles Lamb so DELIGHTFULLY."- describes
as "consOlatOry interstices,' or Tor the
frue holiday spirit Of joyous abandon,
which the same amiable philosopher calls
"sprinklings Of freedom" one may look
I'm vain through the calendar OF what
Americans are pleased to call national
holidays"
Categorically presented. Americas holi-
days legal or national, as you choose'
make a brave show.
beginning with the autumnal introduc-
ton 10 the holiday season, there are
Thanksgiving-Day Christmas, Ne"
Year's-Dav. Washingtors birthday
Independcnce-Day. Memorial-Day and
few minor days, all or
which have their advocates
and their observances which appeal eN-
clusively 70 the few.
First Of these. taking them In their an
nual sequence. is ThanksgiVing-Day'
Originally Of New England conception
II is stin most highly esteemed In the To-
cality which gave II birth. Now lhaI rapid
and cheap transit has brought the OLD
homestead within easy reach Of the most
widely scattered family circle, II mas lost
the point of furnishing a rallying day lor
the clans. and misses the fine importance
once it's rghtful due.
The annual cessation Of all business ac-
cordipg 20 the Presidents proclamation
and the universal return OF thanks 10 the
Givar OF all good, IS national only in the
perfunctOry performance OF one or the
other requirements But. at its best, the
Thanksgiving holiday Of the Americans
has none Of those charming features OF
ught-hearted mirth and Joyous abandon
which distinguished the festas Of italy or
cnain. the carnival time OF the Venetian.
or the laughing care-killer Of the Partisan,
who will don the cap and bells Of folly
and wear them for the brief space OF a
dav-an hour If need be-with an INFINITE
grace that partakes Of wisdom
Thanksgfving-Day has never met with
that universal recognition which IS essen
tial 10 a national holiday. and as the mat
ter Of returning thanks must, after all,
be left TO the individual conscience, the
amount OF holiday spirit--without which
the observance must prove a dismal ran
ure-win always bear direct proportion
10 the amount Of worldly goods or CRATE
fu nature Of the recipient.
Christmas. recognized by all believers
In the Christ as a day TO be set apart for
festive obseryances, must Of necessity ap-
peal TO the hearts Of n portion only. To
the Hebrew it has no significance beyond
IT'S accepted one for feasting and inter
changing good wishes I'm material FORM
Among religious denominations only two
dignity IL into a religious festival There
are no public observances in connection
with IL, and, in point Of fact IT is more
purely a family day than its November
predecessor.
As FOR the people at large, beyond cal
or likely TO receive, and making sure OF
their turkey and miuce pie, 1t means little
or nothing at all.
Suontaneity Is as attractive in people
AS i'm an individual, and the charm OF
French. Spanish or italian holiday lies IN
the infectious gayety of the people Whlch
carries them en- masse out OF the lealIh
Of poverty-smitten care for the time Deihs'
VINO shall say how much or simmeIlhs
political discomfort, physical depression
or moral turpitude is often bamshed from
existence by these fiood-ides OF mlrth,
which recreate the heart and soul OF man
Now Year's-Day, another recognized
holiday. is becoming more and more
simply n point of departure for good res
olutions or fresh business ventures.
In the larger cities, where the amicabie
custom of New Years calls has been
relocated to the dust-bin of old fogyism,
IL differs from other days in nothing but
the superior amount of uproar condensed
into its twenty-four hours. Chatter and
clagor being essentially American
methods of holiday expression, New
Years-D9y partakes OF them largely
Daily toll is suspended and the round
of gormandizing, introduced on Thanks
giving and continued on Christmas IS COM
pleted. That is all. As a people Amer
leans do not know the language or joy
The German must voice his In music,
which sounds loud and clear above the
blinking Of his beer glass as he makes
the best Of his holiday. The Italian
breaks out into song and the Frenchman
dances his holiday hours away, and IN the
transient brightness Of those hours OF lev
ttv much hazard to existing institutions
evaporates.
Washingtons birthday next cOnfronts
Americans with its manifold claims for
attention If there is a day in the calendar
which presents fixed claims 10 considera-
ton from masses who to-day live In the
peace and prosperity made possible by the
dauntless valor and determination or him
II celebrated the 22d Of February stands
pre-crninent. The uative-bOrn American
can here clasp hands with the raturalizs q
citizen who has come from afar TO bask
in the sun rays OF liberty.
Why not determine a national holiday
par excellence, and thereby begin the cut
tivatlon Of the holiday spirit which is so
woe.ully lacking
Internationally, while exclusively
American, and presumed 10 be the foun-
tain head Of American eloquence ana
"spread-eagle oratOry." makes no demands
upon the enthusiasm Of the vast horde or
f0reign-born jewellers In the land who,
having assumed all the duties and obliga-
lions OF American citizens, are entitled
70 share In the nations sports and re
creations.
Fourth OF July belongs 20 Americans.
No one viii dispute their right 10 Il. But
the more pronounced il becomes. as a
terror to all quiet and law-abidins ciu-
zens. the slighter becomes its claim 10
recognition as a national holiday. What
with its pandemonium OF fTe-crackcrs,