New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-05
"TUC DAY We CELEBRATE"

II was great day. There has been none
other like II in sxscore years. The nearest
approach n II. perhaps. with Indeed some feat
urcs OF striking similarity, wns the Fourth Of
July OF thrty,fve years ago. ON that day
former President 81 the United States was
sententiously deploring the folly aud the wicked
ness Of continuing war we could never win.
and lamentlng the dark news OF unrclieved
disaster that came from our armies In the field
But before his peroration was well rounded ont
came news Of Gettysburg and Nicksburg' 80
nj this time while people were lamcniing the
heavy losses and the apparent check Of our
Army al Santiago and were beginning To fear
the task attempted was too great 10 be per
formed, save nj tremendous cost or with great
relnforccments, came news that Ccrvcra's feet
was blotted ont. tho forts Of Santiago destroyed
and the city at the mercy OF our guns. the Mari
ana Islands captured and our Army safely
landed on the shore of Manila Bay. Yes II was
n great day-"grcat with the arduous greatness
OF things doneS II was glorious enough In lis
tIdlncs 10 atone for all It's torrd heat. and nj
most to atone for the brutal noises. the nauscat
Ing stcnchcs and all tho other features Of our
barbarous mode Of celebrating IT,
But It was far more glorious day than that
was marred by the reflection that It was our
own brethren over whom we were triumphlng.
Now. in n no less noble cause for human RICH:
and Justice and freedom and the high destiny
OF the Republic. We celebrate our triumph over
an alien foe. We celebrate. too tho perfect re-
union OF our own land and the everlasting elIml-
nation OF the last vestlge OF the differences OF
the last generation. And even beyond that. we
celebrate justcr recognition all around Of the
Issues OF n century and quarter ago. and n
strong drawing toward reunion OF the two
branches Of the race that then. for the good of
both. were severed. Not In the memory of
living men has this Nation been so perfectly
united as it was yesterday and us bonds Of
amity and mutual interest with the mother
country 50 strong. Not, we may well hope, in
the lifetime OF him who OF us all shall live the
longest VIII that union again become less per
feet or those bonds less strong.
1t was n great day. But II was. or It must
be made far greater than single day. The
insensate racket Of bomb and cracker. the barc
Of bands Of music, the waving OF tricolored
bunting, the impassioncd decamntlons Of the
orator -all of these things rhat were or that
could have been crowded into the four-and
twenty hours of yesterday could not begin TO
come I'D TO the measure Of The National celcbra-
ton Of the days Significance That celebration
must continue to-day and tomorrow and all
through our history. 1t must he not merely
sound and show. but acts; not mer ,ly profes
sion, hut life. The vital. qulckening spirit Of
The day and what 1t stands for must animate
and dominate the Nations conduct in all things
giving It strength 10 overcome It's foes courage
TO improve It's opportunities and an abiding
faith in It's power 10 work out the highest dcs-
tiny of It's high estate. That II will be. htly to
celebrate the day