The record-union., 1898-06-04
is THIS THE PURPOSE OF CELE-
BRATING?

Is the patriotic spirit being prosti-
tuted in these days, in the matter of
observance Of the nations birthday,
60 the greed for gain? Is it impossi-
bic to celebrate the anniversary OF
American. independence as, such, and
with an eye single to the traditions Of
the nation, its glorious history and the
Reaching value of the ceremonial?
It would seem so in Sacramento. We
are told that we must have this rid
1culous feature or that, or "the crowd
will not be drawn to the city" In
andeedI Is that the essential thing? Is
commemoration Of the most notable
event in the history Of civilization for
the sole purpose Of filing the tills of
Ehopkeepers and caterers? There is
no objection to Mardi Gras festivities
properly conducted Such days of jolli-
~ and buriesque are not Objectionable,
where they do not descend to the vul-
gar and unseernly. But are the days
OF the year so few that the natal day
pf the Republic should be prostituted
70 the capers of buffoonery and the
antics Of the burlesquer?
Let the thinking citizen reflect what
Is and must be the natural and in
evftable effect upon the minds Of youth
Of such methods Of observance of the
holidays Of the order Of that we are
now approaching. What is the purpose
Of celebrating the fourth day of July ?
TO pay tribute to the heroes who won
Tor US our liberties. To testify in formal
manner to- the love we have for free
institutions. To teach the rising gen.
eration the justice and nobility of ven
bear witness before all the world to
the sincerity Of our love for the institu-
lions of freedom To renew our faith in
free government by the pronouncement
anew of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence, the charter Of our liberties. To
move in professional display in honor
OF the day that gave birth to the Re-
public. To join in song and Grafton, sa-
Lutte by cannon and gun and in reading
the words of the fathers and listening
to the admonitions of the statesmen
who laid the foundation Of our Govern
ment
To joyously but decorously .Iaud the
deeds of our heroes and patriots who
gave their lives for US, and by cessa-
tion from labor and turning to joyous
thoughts and to reflections upon the
greatness of our land testify to re-
gard for our birthright. To engage
In such sports recreation and festivi-
ties as are decent and in keeping with
the spirit Of the hour, and are devoid
Of even the seeming of disrespect for
1t, OF carelessness of its teaching value.
We have seen in these burlesque cele-
brations the Father of his Country
grossly cAricatured: the noble woman
who stood by his side through the try
Ing hours Of the Revolution offensive
ly burlesqued: the President of the
United States presented in insulting
kmgy; and the most noble Of our in
Dtitutions made mockery and Jest. If
celebrations Of the nations natal day
are to be used merely to draw crowds
- oAA ob3O6d, uStS<4d ol 10 DGHeilL our
community and impress the lessons of
patriotism upon our youth; If the day
of days is to be turned to profit for
The few by packing q multitude for an
hour upon our sidewalks to witness
That which Is out Of keeping and taste:
II the day Is to be the means for
catering to the supposed love for the
buffoonery and caricature of that which
should be as sacred as the flag, and as
plean as its glorious colors-then. in
deed are we prostituting our chief of
holidays to mercenary ends, and MAX
Ing the best of all our festivals a by
Nord and q mockery.