Am.  Joru.  Pharm.) 
November,  1900.  J 
Editorial. 
553 
EDITORIAL. 
MEMORIALS. 
The  unveiling  of  the  monument  to  Pelletier  and  Caventou  at  the 
recent  International  Pharmaceutical  Congress  in  Paris  suggests 
several  thoughts  to  American  pharmacists  at  this  time.  In  1902 
the  American  Pharmaceutical  Association  will  celebrate  its  fiftieth 
anniversary,  and  a  few  years  ago  it  was  proposed  by  Albert  E.  Ebert, 
Chicago,  that  something  be  done  by  that  Association  (see  Proa,  1899, 
p.  115)  to  revive  the  memory  of  Prof.  William  Procter,  Jr.  It  is  not 
too  early  to  consider  what  form  of  a  memorial  will  be  most  appropri- 
ate, and  which  will  do  the  most  good  in  not  only  reviving  the  mem- 
ory of  Professor  Procter,  but  more  particularly  in  benefiting  the  liv- 
ing. The  question  arises,  who  of  the  living  are  to  be  benefited  ?  Is 
pharmacy  to  be  lifted  from  its  unpretentious  position  to  become 
more  intimately  associated  with  the  arts  and  sciences  ?  Are  the 
schoolboy  and  he  who  finds  pleasure  among  the  monuments  of  our 
parks  and  cities  to  be  thrilled  with  the  silent  influence  of  a  faithful 
life  ?  Is  it  the  student  in  pharmacy  who  is  seeking  a  more  liberal 
education,  but  whose  pecuniary  position  is  such  that  he  is  either 
debarred  from,  or  seriously  handicapped  in,  attaining  his  highest  goal 
and  noblest  aim  ? 
I.  It  is  very  probable  that  a  memorial  in  the  nature  of  a  monu- 
ment, with  its  attendant  ceremonies,  would  be  for  the  public  in  the 
nature  of  a  flame,  that  would  grow  on,  and  with  the  increase  in  years 
become  stronger  and  brighter,  illuminating  the  apothecary's  shop 
and  making  the  public  recognize  the  debt  of  gratitude  that  is  due 
him,  through  all  these  years,  for  his  unselfish  labors  and  his  helping 
hand  that  is  extended  at  all  hours  and  at  all  times.  All  of  us  feel 
more  or  less  of  the  silent  but  perpetual  influence  of  monuments. 
Bunker  Hill  monument  in  Boston,  the  Grant  tomb  in  New  York 
City,  as  well  as  the  smaller  monuments  commemorating  important 
historical  events,  or  the  records  of  the  world's  great  men,  scattered 
in  not  only  large  cities,  but  in  every  town  and  hamlet,  are  the  inspi- 
ration of  us  all,  particularly  if  we  know  the  history  of  the  event,  or 
the  record  of  the  life  thus  perpetuated.  Monuments  may  be  looked 
upon  as  among  the  greatest  educational  influences  of  the  civilized 
world.  They  are  educational  influences  of  the  very  best  character,  not 
only  embodying  and  preserving  man's  noblest  ideals  and  highest  pur- 
