New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-04-01
A Plea FOR APRIL I.

1t has often been ohservedN that the signif-
canoe and celebration of our red letter days are
gradually changing and the best opinion seems
to be that the change is for the worse. Thanks
giving Independence Day. Christmas and Me.
mortal Day have become seasons of thOughtless
mirth and money spending. Nowhere in the
calendar is there date which commands seri-
Gus respect on the part of everybody, and there
may never be such one unless by universal
agreement all paydayS~ are natiOnalized and
fixed by act Of Congress New Years Day seems
TO have suffered more than any other. Only a
few years ago every respectable citizen at least
prOfessed to make his annual good resolutions
OF the first day of the year; and, just to render
the se more binding, everybody called on every
body else and proclaimed them over the tea
table. But this custom has long since faded
away, even the good resolutions have done :;
and no wonder, for the humorous futilty of the
practice soon became painfully conspicuous. Re-
forms do not move with the almanac, as tides
and seasons do.
But the historian Of this era makes bold 10
find In the d!suse of New Years Day one of the
numerous causes OF much current fooIishness.
When men stopped making good resolutions they
also apparently ceased criticising their own con-
duct At least an innocent observer might well
infer this from the fact that since tho decline
of the New Years habit there has been an as
tonishng-yes. even a ACCOMPLISHMENTS in
the number and wOrrisOmeness OF varieties OF
foolishness. SO pronounced has been the change
sweeping over the land that many publications
whose aim it IS To hold mirror up before the
people now read Ike the official proceedings OF
the Society for the Suppression OF Sanity.
Plainly, then, we need 20 have a day set apart
for the contemplation of Stiffness Such day
should be used neither for the Qualification Of
stupidity nor yet for making solemn vows 20
break with folly. Folly no more needs glorifica-
ton st this point in the circus parade OF history
than the lily needs paint And formal vows are
too fragile TO be worth the making What we
really need though. is to look at our respective
and respectable selves with calmly contemplatlve
eyes For this purpose All Fools Day seems
To be the best fitted, being already consecrated
to folly and emlnenuy popular Would it not
be we'll to change its character somewhat, even
as we have altered that Of every other red letter
day?
The new holiday ought 10 succeed for many
reasons. It's meaning can be grasped by every
body. 1t Is always modern, not depending upon
deeds In ancient history 1t makes no appeal
TO class feeling TO religious or racial distlnc-
tons. All men and women in this broad land
could join in its celebration with equal sincerity
and fervor. Nor need the celebration be expen-
sive. The morning might ne spent at home with
the family, rehearsing the stupiditeS Of the last
year After luncheon, where the folly Of search
ing for an ideal cook at any price a month might
be dwelt upan between courses, the family would
adjourn to the nearest hall or church. there TO
listen TO and take part in u public experience
meeting" In very large cities, of course,
special kinds Of fOollshness would be cOmmemo-
rated at various public places. Anti-imperlallsts
and kindred souls might convene in the town
hall, prohibitiOnists in the larger brewerles,
patent medicine fiends In the cemeteries. and so
on. BY this time the reader will have perceived
that the infinite variety OF ways In which this
truly national holiday might. be celebrated must
bring it into instant popularity. But it's great
est attraction is yet to be told; after having wor-
shipped at his own shrine, each citizen would
be free to visit the confessOnals Of his brethren
and witness their proceedings. If this advan-
tage is appreciated another year will surely see
All Fools Day cherished and hOnored by its nu-
merOus owners.