New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-24
4 P4TRIOTIC EVOLUTION:

Many persons seem 10 derive a strange sort OF
satisfaction from attempts to prove mat the
social fabric is umblnc TO pieces. ana some OF
them are not even willing 10 admit that there Is
n fair chance of its being reconstructed on Il
better foundation when this cnd-of-theceniury
epoch has run its course. The age Is described
by mutifarouS adiectiveS dcnotinG demorallZa-
ton. and if they do not all agree, but, on the
contrary logically offset one another and so
leave mankind as a net result with some claims
TO responsibility. that circumstance Is not per-
mitted TO diSlocate the argument. Perhaps ms
generation is a unique composite of contradic-
lions There certainly is great deal OF nope
and despair, grimness and frivolity. courage and
cowardice brutal strength and sentimental
weakness doubt and cocksurencsS in the world;
but then so far as Is known, there always has
been. and we suspect it never will be demon
strated that any one OF many disparaginS cpl
tbets or all of them together ought TO be ac-
cepted as a valid characterization of the present
era.
In the mean time il seems 10 us pleasanter
and ON the whole more profitable 10 recognize
in numerous incidents which il is orr business
TO record revival Of genuine patriotism or
at the least "A wholesome perception or The
truth that patriotism Is entitled 10 publicity.
Some features of the political situation are sig
njtcant in this respect but we do not refer To
these We have III mind the multiplication ana
growth of societies organized for the purpose OF
expressing and stimulating interest in the his
tory of or institutions, rational enthusiasm In
the commemoration Of great names and events
and mselfish zeal in the promotion Of causes
which have justified the sacrifices Of the past.
No intelligent citizen can have failed 10 take
note Of this remarkable development. II is oh
servable in all parts Of the country, and 1t sure
" implies a great deal more than the mere
qualification of a social instinct o. cagerness 10
be entertained Public dinners are not a novel
ty. and their quality Is extremely uncertain.
Festival oratory is not uniformly enhancing.
The generation that is passing off the stage dis
closes signs of safety, and the generation that
is coming on of Indifference, far as the mere
pastime of public speech and feeding is con-
cerncd.
But men Of all ages and pursuits. and women.
too as we are glad to observe, have received
4 new access of interest in the celebrations that
are dstinctively patriotic. and in organizations
which have their origin in real or fcigned love
Of country We do not believe that the emotion
is counterfeit for ii persists extends and Is con
stantly expressing itself in acts Of practical
utility. 1t marks places Of historic interest,
stimulates research confirms titles TO honor and
gratitude which error or carelessncss has OBJ
scured, presents medals and portraits to public
schools, inspires attachment to the flag as the
emblem Of union, sovereignty and freedom, and
makes loyalty a practice as well as creed In
these and other simple and effective ways
These societies generally have genealogical
basis, but observation convinces us that pal
try ambition TO be more or less publicly denti-
fed with distinguished progcnitors for the sake
OF n spurious distinction does not either account
for their extension mar their repute Honest
pride In an honest and useful ancestry Is
potent and salutary force in civilization. but no
sentiment less honorable than this is character
istic of these organizations. They are doing an
excellent, indeed an Indispensable work, and we
rejoice in their prosperity