The record-union., 1894-02-23
A QUESTION OF MANIFESTATION.

The observance of Washington's Birth
day yesterday by the people of Sacra-
mento and the formal dedication of the
new Government building were exceed
ingly creditable to the country. We do
not know that there has ever been any
thing like it attempted. 1t was certainly
novel; it was certainly an object lesson
to the children of the city, but in one
sense it was a rebuke to their elders.
By this we mean that while our chill
dren were full Of the vivacity of enthusi-
asm the adults were practically silent
at the very times when they were ap-
pealed to by speakers to rouse to enthusi-
asm, and at times when the situation
should have induced them to set an ex-
ample for their Juniors.
Sacramento people in this respect are
precisely like those in all other places in
the land; they have not been trained in
recent years to those formal manifesto
tions of regard for the flag and what it
typifes.
1t was simply impossible, for instance,
yesterday to get the people to join in sing
ing the National hymn; only those on
the platform, with few exceptions, COM
piled with the request. The 5000 people
in the street listened and gave no sign OF
what they felt. True, after the flag went
up, vigorous efforts were successful in
rousing the multitude to cheering, and it
became general and enthusiastic after that.
But it should not have needed an effort.
The cheers should have been spontaneous
outbursting, understandable.
Again, when the "Star Spangled Ban
ner'' was played and the flag went aloft
and the troops presented arms the under
standing was that all the people should
salute the flag by lifting the hand to the
temple, or raising the hat, or waving q
handkerchief. 1t was so printed on the
programme and in the press with ur.
gency. But out of the 5000 people prob
ably 100 men gave the salute; the women,
to their credit be it said, did far better
were prompt and enthusiastic.
We recite this much of yesterdays
history to introduce the question, "What
is the matter?" 1t is the same every.
where in the land. We saw an audience
of 10000 in San Francisco, on an occasion
of somewhat similar character, quite as
impassive. 1t cannot be that the people
are insensible; that they lack patriotic
spirit. But they are slow to manifest it
in peace. In England, Germany anG
France, it is said, whenever the national
hymn is sung every subject or citizen
within hearing rises to his or her feet anC
joins in the refrain. Here America" is
sung to, not by, the audiences in the
larger number of cases.
The difficulty we think is the enter.
tainment of false sentiment that is an.
tagonistic to ceremonial, for one thing
and secondly, failure to:train our people
to these observances. While mere cere
mony and ritual are in themselve.
nothing, in their meaning they may bs
much. There is a great deal in appeals tt
fancy; great deal in spirit awakening
through appeals to feeling and by senti
mental excitement Where these are re
lated to essential principles, impel il
right directions, and tend to impress de
veloping citizens with the meaning O.
our symbols, such as the flag, they are o
highest value.
No people ever yet marched through
revolution to victory without the spul
of enthusiasm. No freedom was evel
achieved or liberty maintained excep
the fire of sentiment was kept burning
upon the altar of conviction and devotion
to cause.
We need, therefore, to set about the
cultivation of the spirit that demand:
outward manifestation for its relief in al
matters relating to our liberties and oul
national structure.
We have so long been convinced of thi:
necessity that the RECORD UNION wa:
among the first to advocate the flying d
the flag above all school-houses; tt