St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-12
LINCOLy,s BIRTHDAY.

"A new monday makes 1tS appearance
on the list this morning By act of the
legislature in this state, as in a number
of others, the birthday of Abraham
Lincoln has been emancipated from
the restraints and obligations of bust
ness life. AS the 22d of February has
been set aside for so many years in
commemoration of the life and serv-
ices of the father Of his country, so will
be the 18th of February hereafter, in
honor Of the man to whom, above all
others, the salvation and perpetuation
Of the Union is due 1t is a wise and
fitting action. The petty criticisms
that have been urged against this new
holiday fall short of understanding the
real meaning and value Of such an
tives of commercialism, the shallow and
superficial followers of Gradgrind, say
ing that it is foolish and perfunctory
act to name two holidays within ten
days of each other, in boisterous
and inclement season Of the year, for
observance and celebration by our peo-
pie. Business will go ON just the same,
they say, stores will be opened and
occupations of men continue What
is the sense of adding another to the
number of now unobserved festivals
of the republic? But they forget one
aspect of the matter which is, after all.
the most important and enduring
Let us consider it in the matter of
Washington's birthday; which passes,
and has passed for many years. with
out formal ceremonies in our northern
climes. Will any one say that the
setting apart of the 22d of February
as a general holiday has been without
it's effect upon the character and patri-
otism of our people? Take but the
one item Of the declaration of holiday
for the public schools. To the men
and women now living, until they have
studied the history of their country, the
name Of George Washington is but an
empty sound. The work that he did.
the travail that he endured the power
and lofty spirit of the man, the title
that he won to imperishable greatness.
as compared with the most illustrioys
names In the whole history of mankind,
are realized only by the study of his
life and work The worthiness of that
study the place of Washington in his
tory and in human aIa1,o flow o.o cd
suggested to the young and ardent
mind at it's most Impressions period
by the observation of Washington's
birthday. 1t makes a noted break.
Though the child may only find the
day notable as an opportunity for es-
cape from the school room and indul-
gence in pastime, there has been i'm
pressed upon his mind the fact that
there was great character in the
history of this country whose life it
will befit him well to study.
To the children growing I'D TODAY
Abraham Lincoln is only, at first, an
other name. Unlike the men Of ma
ture years, who can remember the
days when Abraham Lincoln was
living reality on whom millions felt
that the destinies Of the nation rested.
and to whom he is now reverent
memory, they have not heard his life
and work discussed about the fireside,
He is not Of their epoch. OF him they
must learn as Of the other characters
Of history. There is no better way in
which to begin that impression than
by setting apart as a holiday the an
niversary Of his BIRTH The value of i.
does not depend upon professions or
mass meetings or patriotic speeches.
1t is enough that the public has de-
creed by solemn ordinance that from
this time on forever we should inter
rupt the course Of regular business
and appropriate, to such extent as we
may, one day in the year as a tribute
to the worth and the work of one great
man in our history. Like the raising of
the nations flag above the school
house, it may be only a symbol, but it's
effects cannot be measured. For this
reason. we say that every patriot whe
yves his country, and who bows be-
ore individual greatness in sincerity