The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-02-23
CLEVELAND says
WE NEED EXANPL {
Before Union League Club oi
Chicago Praises Teachings J.
Of Washington
AN IMMENSE CROWD :I' No. PRESENT
49, -------.--
Ex-Prcsiident Was Greeted With
Manifest Signs OF
Approval.
AN IMMENSE CROWD PRESENT

= E u. Z, * a. &
CHICAGO. ILL. February 22.-:-Ex.
president Grover. Cleveland was tho orator
of the day at tic celebration of the ann
ve,sary OF the birth 81 George NNashing-
ton. which Is. annually held under tho
auspices OF the Union League Club, of
this city.
Mr.. Cleveland addressed an audience
that completely ..liled the great nutlitori-
nm, and his .ortiion was greeted with
every manifestation of approval He
dwelt less upon the history and achieve
n,ents of Washington than upon the
so,,ndncss Of Was,dnstons political faith
and the accuracy OF Washpgton's eco
monte wisdom. The prosperity and glory
OF the country Will be, according. 10 the
speaker. unbounded md lmrrrishablc
If the prcccpts Of Washington are ans
lively recalled and In general closely
followed.
The republic *tl has. he said, impera-
tive need Of Washington. and lis exam
pie and teachings are important. TO the
present generation. as his labors ana
guidance were necessary ~ llis own time.
S,r. Cleveland said In part:
he American people, are but little
given to the Observance oc public lioll-
posed OF py the allegation hat our
national history is too brief to allow
the accumulation Of days deserving
. l.
true that our life, as Il people, according
to tho standard measuring the exis-
t,anee OF lnntipas has been a short one.
menss and though @s f.9 m2st IS psA ssn
coded tina. IL is not given to us TO l
&c A. tha masnifying mirage Of an
American heroes, yet initbc bright and
normal light Sized upon oar. beginning
tnd gfoW,n are seen grand ana heroic 4
men who have Won imperisllable honor
~ Ia Z v, "a
cannot. therefore, excuse n lack 81 COM
InfmFs.ivc inclination anu "a languid
Interest Int in RECALLING the notaPle incl
dents cf our tountrg's past under the 4
plea of n lack of commemorative ifh>
'criai; nor can we In thfs 1@aqlh kp!tGn
our ncElecthadeGtiatel S.t to- Vbsc NJ da y
the espccial manifestation Of o,Irslnv-
Ing appreciation or the lives and. the
deeds OF Americans. who In crises OF
our birth and development have sub
limciy wrought and nobly'nMdured.t
'if we are inclined TO look for otter
excuses, one may occur to ts which,
APPEAR 70 gain Il somewhat ssfhneiful
DlauRlDilit% by reason of itsarefereuce
TO tile law Of leredlty. 1t restss upon.
nnn watched over It's weak infancy.
We're so engrossea with tho persistent
and unacceptable labors that pressed upon
tiiern. and their hopes and aspirations
led then, p constantly to thoughtsof
the future. that retrospection nearly
became with them an extinct faculty.
and that thus 1t may have happened
that exclusive absorption in things per
cane g sabsaasl Il il tbsls aal,,|fss -
to constitute n trait Of character de-
Scenhibic to thair4pasteNty oven to the
present sendration fsia
American Pride.
There is another reason which might
be advanced In mitigation of our lack
Of commemorative enthusiasm, which
IS SO related to our pride OF Aneri-s
cnntsm, that II We could be certain OF
Its suficency we would gladly accept 1
It as conclusive. 1t has TO do with the
underlying Qualities and motives Of. our
had their birth and nurture In unseltish 4
patriotism and unrcservcd consecra-
ton. and By degree OF fate beyond /
henchcence are conditioned on the CON
slant devotion and e-hearted ,oyA
atty OF those to whom their blessing as
ure tOuclisafed.
iident that voice Your sslnyik1ti3ns
when / say that no play -oftingshnity
md no amount OF special pleading can
for our remiSsncss in appropriate holi- \
day observance.
which American Independence was
born has been allowed to lose much
of Its Significance as a reminder of
providential favor and the lnncXiblc pa
triotsm of the fathers ofnthe republic.
and has nearly degenerated to revel
of scnsclcss noise and dangerous eX-
plosion, leaving in It's train far more
of mishap4 and accident than lessons
of good citizenship. or pride of$ccnn-5
try. The observance notwithstanding
Day is kept alive through It's annual
thority. but 1t is worth our while to
inquire whether its original meaning
as n day Of united praise and grsti;
tude to God for the blessings bestowed
upon lis as Il people. ana aslindirtd-
uals, Is not smothered in fcastMS ana
social Indulgence. We, in common. with
Christian nntionsl everywh,ere, Jccle te
Christmas--but how, much less as n
day of COMMUNICATING the birth OF. the
ltcdeemer Of mankind than as, day
of hilnrity and the Interchange of
gifts?
Too Much Gaicty.
"I WIN not. without decided protest,
eating ight-hcarted1m ana jollity.
OH the contrary Jam an earnest adj
vocnte Of every liind OF sane decent So
cla emjoymsnt and al es Of tb bs
the allowance of an homogeneous pos
session by them of our commemorative
tIon an rs 1f
tendency which arc by no means re-
assuring.
mo have fallen upon q time when
1t bchoovcs every thoughtful citizen.
whose political beliefs are based on rea-
son, and who cares enough for ibis
manliness and duty to save them from
barter, to realize that the organization
of the party of his choice needs watch
ing. and that ut times II is not aniss
critically to observe It's direction and
tendency. This certainly ought to re-
suit In our country's gain; and 1t Is
only partisan impudonce condemns
a member of.a political party who on
proper occasion submits It's conduct
and the loyalty to principle Of It's lead
ers 70 a court of review ovor which
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TunMhcs ppRMnus o. nr,