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Editorial
December 1, 1880
The Cheyenne Daily Leader
Cheyenne, Laramie County, Wyoming
What is this article about?
The editorial satirically critiques American attitudes toward national holidays, noting sentimental appreciation but practical aversion due to laziness, preference for quiet relaxation over excitement, commercialization of Christmas, and formality of New Year's.
Clipping
OCR Quality
92%
Excellent
Full Text
The American's regard for his national holidays is worth studying by a Herbert Spencer. Sentimentally we like the Fourth of July, but practically we hate it. We are too lazy a people in carrying out our sentiment to become excited over holidays. We have none of the overgush of the Poles, and hope of the cool, comfortable custom of the Germans. We would like to spend the Fourth of July far away from the noise of firecrackers, while we were in a boat idly floating down a stream. Christmas has become to us merely a day for presents, and the extravagant and mawkish side of the day is growing upon us. It is no longer a birthday, with sweet morning songs, but a stocking day, rollicking, to be sure, but still a rather selfish sort of day. New Year's day is a kind of fiery increment, Christmas. None of us love it, for it carries with it an idea of formality.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
National Holidays
Fourth Of July
Christmas
New Years Day
American Customs
Commercialization
What entities or persons were involved?
Herbert Spencer
Poles
Germans
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
American Observance Of National Holidays
Stance / Tone
Satirical Critique Of Laziness And Commercialization
Key Figures
Herbert Spencer
Poles
Germans
Key Arguments
Americans Sentimentally Like But Practically Hate The Fourth Of July Due To Laziness
Prefer Quiet Relaxation Over Noisy Celebrations
Christmas Has Become Commercialized And Mawkish, Focused On Presents Rather Than Religious Significance
New Year's Day Is Formal And Unloved