The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-23

water drinking fountain, of so sa-
cred spot as the common, Where
are the descendants of the revolution?
Why are our eminent American fam
HES, who can trace their descent back
to the time of the Pilgrim fathers, ST.
lent when the fair name of the city
was in danger of disgrace by the
erection of so vile a thing as a cold
water fountain? And the Grand Ar
my, Why did they not march in
body to the city hall and enter a pa
triotic protest? Happily, there We're
enough relnonstrants, and the memo
ries of our national heroes are still
enshrined in our hearts, and the COM
mon, where many of them have stood
with uncovered heads. will remain
charmingly picturesque and in ample
proximity to a more eXhilarating and
inebriating fountain of supply to serve
all practical purposes. OF course all
this talk of patriotism in its applca-
ton to the fountain is the worst kind
Of sophistry and humbug, The Irish
people suffered by the tyranny Of
England a century ago, but, no people
on earth with the possible exception
Of our own, We're granted more liberal
reforms from any government in the
same period Of time as was granted to
Ireland during the reign of the soVer-
eign whose jubilee the British Amer
leans of Worcester wished so suitably
to commemorate.
The Irish-Americans and the Eng
lish-Anericans are ON the very best
terms Of friendship in this city in their
political as well as in their business
and social relations. Not even so bit
ter a discussion as has unfortunately
been precipitated by this matter can
ever change these hopeful conditions.
Both speak the same language
and are all members of the Christian
church. bonds of unity which the viii
est political intrigue cannot unfasten.
Although these protests were pre-
scented by the Irish-American societies
of Worcester, it would be uncharit
able to hold the average Irish-Amer-
lean entirely resp 1nsble for it. 1t is
the work of political schemers
only. Let these remonstrants de
Velop a spirit more in touch
with the best American senti-
ment at the present time and encour-
age the good feeling Which is drawing
the English-speaking people closer to-
gether. And the closer they come to-
gether the better it will be for civil
ization and all mankind
1t is worth mentioning in connection
with this letter that a movement is on
foot to erect a monument to George
Washington in Trafalgar square, Lon
don. the most historical and conse-
Grated spot in England, close to that
of Nelson. Gordon and other great
British heroes. There is no opposition
from any quarter to the erection of a
monument, not a memorial, in Eng
land to the man who led the cOlonists
Of America in revolt against the moth
err country. And yet here in Worcester
the city council, supposed to represent
popular public sentiment, declines the
acceptance Of a memorial to a Sow
ereign who is one of the greatest eX-
ponents Of peace. virtue, of love and
good will towards all mankind. A pOr-
trait of Queen Victoria will hang in
the White House at Washington as
gift from the Anglo American League.
Obviously, the Worcester remonstrants
or their prototypes do not exercise the
same influence in national affairs or
in administration circles as they do
here in our city hall.
The BritishAmerican citizens should
not be discouraged; they are very nat
urally disappointed and perhaps a lit
tie amazed and disguised Why not
present a memorial to the art muse
um, as has already been suggested
where it will be gratefully accepted
without reference to this distinguished
body of capable, intelligent and indie
pendent statesman which honors the
city by its gratuitous services in both
branches of the city council D. NJ
Worcester.