New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-08
OUR RE7IRNING FELLOW-CITIzENS.

OUR RE7IRNING OWCITIZENS.
This is the time Of homecoming. Vessels ar
irving from Europe are crowded with Ameri-
cans from almost every State IN the Union who
however much they have enjoyed their travels
III foreign lands. are glad TO see their coun-
trys flag waving over them again. All the
railway and steamboat lines that enter the city
are bringing back the multiudes who have
been fortunate enough to enjoy n summer out
ing. one meets so many of these bronzcd
people on the streets during the present month
that 1t might appropriately be called the bronze
age of NcwYOrk citizens. succeeding what we
may hope was the golden age Of their vacation
Myrads of trunks also are arriving contfibut-
ing largely 10 the veal rs well as the woe Of
the baggage expressman and the cver-rccur-
ring problem whether he ought or ought not TO
carry 4 trunk upstairs is the subject of debates
quite as earnest and interesting i'm their way as
that which is now raging over the question of
sixteen TO one" Blocks that were literally
deserted during the summer are taking on the
appearance Of life again. BOarded-up doors
and windows are being opened. The milkmnn
and the ceman resume their daily rounds and
hear the story of their summers fitting from
the willing lips Of the domestics. Houses that
were empty and silent for weeks are vocal
with the laughter of happy children. no small
part OF whose pleasure for the next few weeks
will be to exchange with each other a detailed
chronicle of their summers doings.
BY fiction now grown venerable with age
everybody is assumed to have left the city ut
the beginning of summer. But the assumption
never seriously disturbs the cQuanimity OF the
million or so people who stay ut home Many
Of them have been able to take a day or SO off,
or at least to spend IN occasional Sunday ont
of town. There are, moreover, far worse places
than NewYOrk in summer. with its clear brac-
ing atmosphere and its unrivalled suburban
attractions. \ story is told Of an old farmer
during the past summer. One hot day when
he was unusually wearfed with the labor Incl
dent to taking care Of hOuseful Of city board
crs. he declared 10 one Of them that he would
feel entirely happy II he could leave the hot,
sun-blstcred country and live for the summer
in one OF the great. cool. quiet and luxurious
houses in Newlork. There was much good
in the remark. NewY orkers are not TO
be blamed for going ont Of town for the sum-
mer if they can do so; for, however comfort
able they would be at home, change OF scene
and air is desirable for every one. But for
that very reason summer sOjOurn in New
York would be a perfect vacation TO the old
farmer. AS q matter Of fact many people from
the Southern republics, and from our own
Southern States. do come TO this city in the
summer and there is no reason why many
more should not do so. if an effort was made 10
bring before them the many advantages OF the
city rs n summer residence for those who live
in warm countries In this way the splendid
hotels OF the metropolis might gradually build
up a good business in the summer, Instead of
remaining almost empty.
Our returning fellow citizens come back to
city that is both clean and healthy. Under tile
old regime. now happily ended, the most loyal
New-Y Yorker who returned TO the city after his
vacation could not ignore its unclenn condition
unless he had lost his eyesight and sense OF
smell He was. Of course. glad to get back;
for after ALL II was New-iork. the city OF his
love But he was obliged 10 express his glad
ness by the exclamation. Dear old dirty New
York. thus bearing pathetic testimony to'i its
deficiencies The ideal Of cleanliness is by no
means yet renched, but that exclamation no
longer rises to the lips Of tho returning citizen
With the evidence before us of so great
change for the better in n few months. we had
almost said there is no longer any excuse for
pcssmsm as to the future of New-lork. II can
he nav will be- the greatest mos: beautiful.
and most magnificent city in the world. And
II IL the privilege as well as the duty OF all us
citizens TO aid in the realization of that future