New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-16
NEGLECTED HOLIDAYS.

Nobody watching the genuine enthusiasm OF
the Irish in preparing for and celebrating the
day Of their patron saint can help feeling that
American holidays suffer sorely by comparison
with others All Europeans treat their re
spective national and religious holidays like
real events, not like mere red ink marks on
the calendar It is not surprising, therefore,
that Observant Americans, noting this fact.
should wax pessimlstic and mOnitory.
Not long ago Mr. Cleveland told Chicago
about his worry on this score. He believes
Americans have lost sight of the significance
Of national holidays and their proper observ-
ance He deplores this and refuses 10 accept
as excuses for the neglect the youthfulness
of our nation our excessive devotion to prac-
teal affairs and our racial individualism with
its single hearted loyalty. He calls upon his
countrymen TO return to public ceremonies and
serious self-examlnatiOn on the great national
holidays.
The docadenca that Mr.. Cleveland condemns
may be in itself minor affair, but it is an I'M
welcome witness to a new spirit which. in some
respects mt least BODIES Ill for the land. This
new spirit is not a single thought or passion; 1t
IS q very complex distlllation in which vari-
Gus opinions temperaments and social con-
dtions are unfortunately blended. If twenty
citizens were asked why they did not celebrate
Washingtons Birthday with brass band and
mass meeting, the following excuses would he
offered: 1.-The performance would not have been
worth the money and trouble We want our
holidays for rest ana recreation, both OF which
ARE more vital 10 US than patriotic rcminis-
"cenccs. We get all the inspiration Of that sort
(which we can use from the newspapers and
magazines. IN which the holidays are discussed
more entertainingly than by all the stump
speakers" The earnestness Of these and SINH
lar excuses indicates change In mems notions
about the relative values OF things, a change
which can be read stin more clearly in politics,
religion and morals.
We cannot agree with Mr.. Cleveland in pro-
nouncing the excuses offered hlmsy decisions.
The trouble IS that they are, Ike most wide
spread opinions and desires, unhappy mkt
ure of wisdom and error. Three features In them
demand more consideration than Mr. Cleye-
land will allow-the need Of rest and recreation.
the new power OF the press and the loss OF in
terest In pOmp, ritual and made-to-order enthu-
giasm. So long as insist upon driving at our
present pace, rest and relaxation are truly adj
visable on national holidays. Some day, after
our nerves and stomachs have adjusted them
selves to the new high pressure Of business,
manufacturing and even academic work, We
shall not need the holidays for recuperation.
But hardly anybody would advise a surren-
der OF modern life for the sake Of saving the
sanctity of the holidays; we do not see any
profit in eXhOrting men TO exert themselves in
parades and OratiOns, much as we believe such
Il course abstracty good. Patriotism and its
stimulation do, the excuses Indicate, depend
upon the press nowadays. The printed page,
with its lmtless publicity, has supplanted me-
mortal services and fireworks to an astonlsh-
ing degree. And If, as we believe, the pure5t
patriotism is based upon knowledge and refec-
ton, not upon excitement then the excuse OF
the average citizen is not so bad as 1t may
seem.
But after all, the deepest reason for the neg
lect Of holidays IS not one Of the above; 1t is
curious streak IN our national temperament
wherein are blended most curiously the sense
Of the practical and the sense OF humOr The
American people IN general believe, whether to
their credit or their shame, in spending time
and energy only for some tangible purpose pro-
portiOnate TO the efforts they have to make In
attaining it. When utility is not written on the
face OF a programme they are prone to reject
II forthwith. And II the programme offers
trifing profit, but involves very large expendI-
lures, the dispropOrtiOn strikes them as some
what funny. Now, many Of them do not see
the advantages of large public celebrations on
the birthdays Of heroes. Try as they may, they
cannot take pomp and fine words seriously
In spite Of all these facts, however. we still
regret the misfortune that has Overtaken our
great holidays. We do not believe the old order
will ever be restored, but we have some hone
that before long men will find new form OF
communal celebration appealing to the modern
mind and stirring the modern soul