New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-27
GOVERNOR FLOWER TO TIE RESCUE

That tbere IL n great store Of patriotism in
,hds countrv constantly waiting TO be drawn on
when il is not actually on tap is proposition
which il would be perfectly ridiculous TO deny!
Consider for example an incident which has
lust been recorded with laudaDe ndehty by 'he
mctronolitan press 1t had been suspected prior
to the Chamber Of Commerce dinner that the
National Treasury was short Of gold and Sccre
tary Carlislc's solemn announcement OF the iacl
on that occasion was not startling surprise
If the gentlemen present listened with intense
earncstness to his remarks, perhaps II was De-
cause they hoped he might take the opportunity
70 acknowledge that larger revenue would not
bo entirely unadapted to the purpose OF main
tanning the reserve But though the Secretary
WAS good enough 10 explain that the Treasury
was not completely equipped for carrying on a
banking business, that promise 10 deliver
horse was not a horse, and several other inter
esting matters he failed to say that which most
OF those who hung upon his lips would have
been exceedingly glad to hear. Moreover Tor
some mysterious reason he neglected 10 lmparl
10 the gold bugs around him his scheme Tor re-
nenlshing the Treasurj through frcewill oiIer-
ings OF the precious metal in exchange lor cur
rencv. That resource has been diyulged, we pc-
Uevp since the dinner. though il must nave been
in contemplation for long time. 1t was a ms
take not 10 breach il on that festive occasion,
for undoubtedly a considerable number OF pocket
nieccs could have been extracted from the com
pany on the spot
But there is probably one distinguished citizen
who is glad that the chance was missed. for the
oversight enabled him to appear first upon the
.li x-inv hn tpl
States Treasury We refer, Of course. to the
late Governor of New-York. the Hon. Roswell
Pettjbone Flower. who sent to the SubTreasury
on Monday gold coins Of the face value OF S-'o'
which Mrs Flower had been assiduously collect
ing with possible reference TO a rainy day we
do not know that Governor Flower has ever re-
yealed himself in more amiable aspect IMAM
in thus Fastening TO the rescue OF his country;
nor should the circumstance that two or the
coins were returned 10 him as being OF lght
weight be regarded as dctracting in the slight
est degree from the merit OF his act. During
the war for the Union, when National existence
was at stake, heroic sacrifices were the order OF
the day. many citizens even going so far lis To
spare their wives relations, as Artemus ward
pathetcally remarked. But that in time OF
nrofound peace a man should rise TO perfect
ecstasy Of patriotism and ransack his wifes
bureau for gold wherewlth TO save his country
honor is truly amazing and admirable.
And vet though all emotions are said 10 grow
by what they feed on. there may be some dan
ger in putting loyalty to so extreme test.
Golden mementos flowing toward Washington
in n million little rills would make noble
stream. hut there might he a reaction Of feeling
alton Such an effort which would produce lam
entable consequences in case or a war Win
England. On the whole. we think II would De
better to set about relieving the melancholy con-
dition Of the Treasury in the natural way.
Nevertheless. we do not begrudge Governor
Flower his exploit but shall continue to cherish
the memory of 1t till time shall be no more.