The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1906-04-04

man ask? inquiries Bryans Commoner
teal about Governor Hogg.s suggestion
that it would be we'll if men generally
could adopt his view on the monu-
ment question. In this country, as in
other countries. fortunes are wasted in
the erection of monuments of stone or
marble, and these do not serve to
perpetuate the memory of the one IN
whose honor they are erected, while
they are of no practical service to So
ciety. If some of the vast sums spent
in the erection of monuments OF marble
and of stone had been used for the es-
tablishment of orphan asylums or OF
old peoples homes, the memory OF the
one in whose name such contributions
were given would be more lasting.
We are told that Governor Hogg's
children intend to carry out his wishes
in this respect. The people of Texas
he gave to the public interests. will
not be slow in gathering at his grave
in order that, while doing reverence
to his memory, they may secure a seed
consecrated with his dust, plant it in
Texas soil. and make the Lone Star
state "a land Of trees"
It is at once a beautiful and prac-
teal suggestion. 1t is eminently
characteristic of the man who made
it, He was a plain American citizen.
having supreme contempt for the fol-
bles and the vanities of life. 1t is re-
lated that while Governor Hogg was
visiting in England the American min
lister offered to present him to the
court of the king. Governor Hogg ac-
cepted the invitation and arrayed
himself in evening dress. He was told
that in order to be presented to the
king he must be fitted out in knee
breeches and other regalia peculiar to
the court. Governor Hogg revolted, and
promptly declined the invitation, say
ing that in evening dress he could be
presented to the president of the
United States, and if that apparel was
good enough for the American White
House it was good enough for the
court of a king.
Who knows but what Governor
Hogg's suggestion with respect to a
monument may not be the beginning OF
a great and necessary reform in that
line? To many people it has seemed
strange that we have chung so tena-
ciously to the foolish custom of seeking
to perpetuate tender memories by the
erection of useless stone. 1t is, of
course, proper that the memories or
men who have given faithful service
to society be preserved, but this end
may be better attained when the
way as a reminder of their worth.
Governor Hogg will live in the men,
ory of Texans for many years to come
because of his faithful service to the
people, and so long as the pecan tree
and the walnut tree that are to be
planted at his grave give forth seed,
in order to make Texas "a land of
trees" rising generations will be re-
minded of his good deeds.
1t may be true that after awhile
thinking men and women will bring
about some other essential reforms
with respect to the dead. Many peo-
pie are impressed with the idea that
we have all too long adhered to the
mourning customs which prevail to-
day, but which, properly, belong to the
dark ages. No service can be rend-
cred the dead by these outward dis
plays of grief, while those who at the
moment need all the relief that is
within the power Of humans to bestow
are not aided by the sOmber display
attendant upon our funeral ceremonies.
Sometime in the not distant future the
band of crepe on the mans hat, and
the heavy black in the widows apparel
will be abolished. Instead of the black
ribbon on the door knob there will be
a wreath of flowers. and in every par
ticular the ceremonies will be robbed
of that outward display which, if it
represents anything at all, indicates an
utter hopelessness directly at variance
with the faith most of us profess. The
immense sums of money now spent IN
the purchase of cut flowers that wither
on the grave will be diverted-and in
the name of the dead-to sweet char
ity. We will plant and cultivate the
rose, the violet and the ''forget-me-
nots of the angels in the soil where
our beloved sleep; but we will turn
resolutely away from all temptations
to that vain display which makes
mockery of grief and gives affront to
the memory of one whose life was de-
voted to the service of his fellows