Turner's Public Spirit, February 2, 1924
A look back in time to a century ago
By Bob Oliphant
Center. Mr. and Mrs. Julian Cameron and daughters, Eleanor and Marjory, left on Wednesday for New York, from which port they will sail for South America.
Miss Marion Lord and Mrs. Harry Whiting attended a meeting of the Middlesex County Council of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the American Legion in Boston last Saturday.
Cyril Blaney, the young son of Dr. and Mrs. C. A. Blaney, while on his way from school on Wednesday, was struck by an automobile driven by Frank A. Wright. The lad sustained a fractured skull, the seriousness of which is not known at present writing, but the many friends are hoping for the best. He was taken into the house of George F. White [62 Main St.] and later removed to the Lowell General hospital. Eye witnesses attach no blame to the driver.
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney B. Wright quietly observed the thirty-fourth anniversary of their marriage on Tuesday of this week. Their many friends extend best wishes for many more anniversaries.
The Odd Ladies held their installation of officers in Forge Village on Monday evening. The deputy and suite from Leominster had charge of the installation work. Among those taking office were Mrs. Edith P. Blaney, n.g.; Miss Elva Judd, per. sec.; Miss Edith Judd, trea.; Mrs. Clara Greig, chap.; Mrs. Estella Judd, left supporter to noble grand.
- Knowlton, of Wollaston, was a weekend guest of J. E. Knight.
Miss Karen G. Grant is the weekend guest of her aunt, Mrs. Harry Whiting.
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar R. Spalding have gone to Florida.
On one of the coldest days last week the temperatures of 19 and 22 below zero were reported in the Westford depot and Forge Village stations.
Citizens’ Caucus. The citizens’ caucus held in the town hall on Monday evening was largely attended. Alfred W. Hartford was chosen as chairman and Frank C. Johnson as clerk. The nominations for the following offices were uncontested: Charles L. Hildreth, clerk; Elbert H. Flagg, assessor, 3 yrs.; Charles A. Blodgett, overseer of poor, 3 yrs.; Julian Cameron, trustee of library, 3 yrs.; William C. Roudenbush, 1 yr.; Wesley O. Hawkes, commissioner of public burying ground; P. Henry Harrington, board of health, 3 yrs.; Frederick Meyer, treasurer; Hon. Herbert E. Fletcher, moderator for annual town meeting.
On the board of selectmen, with one vacancy to be filled, there were two nominees, Frank L. Furbush and Fred R. Blodgett, the former receiving the nomination. Mr. Blodgett will run independent on stickers, and it is prophesied that the election will be one of the closest held in many years.
The other contested offices were for school committee, constable and collector of taxes. On the school board there were two vacancies to be filled, with four nominees, Arthur G. Hildreth, George F. White, Miss Mabel Drew and Mrs. Martha G. Whiting. Arthur G. Hildreth and Martha G. Whiting received the nominations and it is reported that Mr. White will run independently on stickers. For tax collector, Leonard W. Wheeler received the nomination over Arthur Healey. For constable, Joseph Walker received the nomination over William Wall and John Sullivan.
Supper and Entertainment. The supper and entertainment held in the Congregational church on last week Thursday evening proved a most successful affair. The menu consisted of cold meats, mashed potatoes, turnip, squash, fancy pies, coffee and rolls. The entertainment was as follows: Saxophone solo, Fred Meyer; tableaux, “Critical case,” Vivian Hildreth, Billy Prescott; “Can’t be beat,” Cyril Blaney, Ethel Ingalls, Raymond Shea; reading, Master Warren Dean; trio, Misses Precious, Judd, Sutherland; tableaux, “Stolen sweets,” Roger Bosworth; “Home scenes,” in two parts, part 1, “”Bachelor,” Raymond Shea; part 2, “Family life,” Ethel Ingalls, Herbert Shea, Elizabeth Bosworth, Elva Judd and Roger Bosworth; reading, Master Dean; solo, Miss Elva Judd; sketch, “Grandma’s party,” nine little girls, Grace Hildreth, Genevieve Blaney, Marjory Wilson, Ruth Nesmith, Inez Blaney, Elizabeth Nesmith, Vivian Hildreth, Ruth Mateer and Marion Day; duet, Misses Judd and Sutherland; reading, Master Dean. Mrs. Edith Blaney was the accompanist of the evening. The affair was in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Alonzo H. Sutherland, assisted by their daughters, Lillian and Beatrice, and Mrs. Charles L. Hildreth and Mrs. Fred McCoy.
About Town. At the annual meeting of the Lowell Board of Commerce, Hon. Edward Fisher, of Westford and Lowell, was elected president, and Frederick A. Snow, of Westford and West Chelmsford, was elected treasurer.
At the Old Oaken Bucket farm on Monday winter refused to stay in gear and played summer up to 45 degrees’ worth, which has led us to look over our mosquito netting. What is an advanced engagement for the mosquito netting is advanced sorrow and regret for the ice men.
Authority says “This country will have 16,000,000 automobiles by the end of 1924, which means that the pedestrians’ chances of being run over will have improved by 4,000,000 over 1923,” which means also that insurance rates will also advance in proportion to the 4,000,000 increased risks.
It appears the Brig. Gen. Smedley D. Butler, who is clearing up Philadelphia, used to say “thee” and “thou,” but while his methods of invitation are of the sawdust trail of Billy Sunday his language is of the General Davis and the navy-marine style of command and has increased in emphasized adjectives since as a boy he addressed his father thus, “Father, if thou does as thee says I will run away and join the army.” I don’t feel at liberty to interpret how it would read in his more modern and mature language; suffice to say that he is getting the goods and you cannot always do that and use the soft-pedal language. Some of the best officers in the civil war used the adjectives peculiar to Davis.
There are already sixty articles in the forthcoming town warrant and they are still coming in daily and nightly, and will until the time limit shuts them off. One of the new and important articles calls for two separate meetings, and changes from Monday to Saturday—the first Saturday in February to choose the town officers by precinct voting, and the second Saturday in February to transact the town business. By holding separate meetings it will give more time for the ever-increasing amount of town business. As it is now, it takes four hours of the day to elect town officers, and by adopting this change we can save oil and have our suppers before ten o’clock. Thus doeth the larger towns.
Between 700 and 800 attended the caucus on Monday evening. The upper town hall was packed—aisles and galleries—and the following were the happenings: Alfred W. Hartford, chairman; Charles L. Hildreth, secretary; Charles L. Hildreth, town clerk; Fred H. Meyers treasurer; Frank L. Furbush, selectman; Elbert H. Flagg, assessor; Leonard W. Wheeler, tax collector; Mrs. Harry L. Whiting, school committee, Herbert E. Fletcher, moderator.
I was interested in reading under the Shirley news about the goat industry being introduced to girdle the trees. Now let’s see how this audits up? The state offers financial encouragement to encourage forestry and many towns have accepted the offer, and Middlesex County Farm Bureau encourages the keeping of goats to girdle trees to rid us of the forests the state is trying to build up. Let me see, what is this you call it? Oh, I have, I guess, “Row with one hand and backwater with the other.” It is a twin to bird protection, protect with one hand and shoot with the other.
I read right out loud several times to myself regardless of disturbing the rest of the family that picture true to life under Harvard news “To the Editor.” Say, do you know that that fellow took such a life-like picture of human nature that I felt like tagging him for another trade. He is already now painter, plasterer, carpenter, wheelwright, preacher, teacher, chorister, choir and congregation, and I want to add photographer, for the splendid picture he took and hanging right under “Mr. Editor.” I noticed my picture there in the crowd and I will say without flattery that it’s the best picture I ever had taken and he has hung it where I can see it every day. Oh, I do enjoy looking at it, and the rest of you ought to enjoy looking at yours if you enjoy a picture true to life. It’s good medicine to improve our future complexion. In the words of another, “I will close now with love to all.” This includes all of my old teachers and all who would like to be my old teachers.
A special meeting will be held by the American Legion Auxiliary on Monday evening at eight o’clock, to re-elect a secretary and president.
Obituary. Mrs. Julia A. Fletcher, a resident of North Billerica for the last seventeen years, died last week Thursday at the home of her niece, Mrs. George A. Stovers, aged ninety-three years. Mrs. Fletcher was one of eight children of Phineas and Mary (Parker) Chamberlin and was born in this town at the old Chamberlin homestead at Chamberlin’s Corner. She was educated at the old Stony Brook school and Westford academy. She was one of the oldest scholars at the Stony Brook school when the correspondent was an inhabitant of said school and of whom I am able to recall but eight now living. The deceased was the last of her father’s large family. She was wise in her school studies, and by nature studious, and held the head of the class with sufficient frequency to be listed above the average. She was a most genial and companionable playmate and the long noon hour was one of mutual exchanges of give and take, whether tag, hide-and-seek or snowball.
In 1852 she became the bride of Edward Z. Read, who died the same year. A few years [in 1857] later she married George Henry Fletcher [who died in 1870].
The Chamberlin family were regular attendants at the old First Parish church when it was the wholesome custom for the whole family to go to church forenoon and afternoon, with noon lunch at the postoffice or the close-by old-fashioned tavern long since passed away. It was a sign of rational, strenuous moral life to see so many large families seated in the old-fashioned New England open wagons on the way to church.
Mrs. Fletcher is survived by several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was held last Saturday afternoon from the home of her niece, Mrs. George A. Stover, in North Billerica. Rev. J. Sidney Moulton, of Stow, formerly of the Unitarian church here [1876-1885], and Rev. William L. Walsh, of the Unitarian church in Billerica, conducted the service. Mrs. Alfred C. Woodward sang several appropriate selections. The flowers, the contribution of relatives and friends, were abundant and were in keeping with her long life and abundant friendship. The bearers, all relatives, were Albion C. Fletcher [a nephew], Marion B. Read, Henry M. Hutchins [nephew] and Henry B. Read [nephew]. Interment was in the family lot in Fairview cemetery, where the services were read by Mr. Walsh.
Peace Fallacies. Major General J. C. Harbord, recently retired from the army, and one of the jury in the award of the Bok peace plan award, and a believer in the league of nations or its equivalent, spoke in Lowell last week in the Moses Greely [sic, Greeley] Parker course of lectures, on “The perils of pacifism.” I quote a few brief extracts for the pro-juggernauts’ benefit and others whose love of peace side-tracks their judgments:
“The fallacies of pacifism and its attendant penalties are without doubt born of a sincere belief on the part of a majority of its devotees that permanent peace is a possibility and that wars can be banished from the earth. One need not glorify war to justify a belief that permanent peace is still a dream, but the cold fact is nevertheless, much as it is deplored by those who best know of its terrors and hardships, that war represents a permanent factor in human life, and a very noble one. It is the school of heroism from which a nation’s noblest sons graduate into highest manhood. Our unpreparedness in 1917 was directly responsible for our tremendous expenditures in the world war. It was the direct cause of our excessive casualties on the western front. Under similar conditions future wars might impose upon us not only increased costs in blood and treasure, but the bitter penalties of defeat.
“The second doctrine which has been advanced as good reason for further weakening our army and navy is based upon the assumption that international law will replace war. Those who put this doctrine forward forget that there must be authority and power with which to make law effective. A law forbidding house-breaking does not induce you to leave your doors unlocked or your windows unfastened. The league of nations, the Hague Tribunal and the world court are all worthy of respectful consideration, though not for elimination of war or faith in the powers of ‘disarmament by example.’ There are two answer to this fallacy. In the first place if the power of example is now potent, why has it been so powerless in the past? We were without a single fighting battleship in 1785 and the pirates of the Barbary coast were quick to take advantage of our helplessness. We disarmed during the administration of Thomas Jefferson, held our commerce off the seas to avoid trouble with warring nations, refused to have commercial intercourse with the belligerents and then had hostilities forced upon us by British men-of-war coming into our very harbors requisitioning our seamen and even assailing one of our few men-of-war just off the Atlantic coast.
“Our unpreparedness in the war of 1812, in the Mexican war, in the civil war and in the world war were costly in time, money and lives. Our greatest efforts on the field of battle were in France, but our efforts were successful [at] a great cost, and then only because of the support of our allies. We must never forget that England and France continued to hold the line while we prepared for over a year after we were officially in the war. Only those nations have survived which have prepared to exert their strength in defense of their independence.
“We may shrink from the thought of war, but a national desire for peace is no valid reason for putting ourselves at the mercy of others who have no such repugnance to war. It is not paradoxical to say that preparedness powerfully makes for peace. If our national defenses are adequate and our organization for war is well devised and ample, other nations will hesitate to quarrel with us. An essential step in preparing for national defense is to completely or partially train our citizens of military age. Numbers of our casualties in France were due to incomplete training. Our accomplishments were splendid, but they were brutally expensive.” How will the pacifists digest such unimpeachable history and stubborn facts? There does not appear to be either spine or wisdom enough about the disarmament bunch to equip a spineless cucumber. Besides, they are self-contradictory when they admit the necessity of [a] municipal police force or don’t they even admit that?
Equality of Law. I was highly entertained and instructed reading several times the article entitled “Equal rights before the law” from the pen of Judge Maloney. His pen is always heavily charged with common sense justice and love of his fellowmen and carries the superiority of “Stand thou here while I go and pray yonder for I am holier than thou.” [Isaiah 65:5a] It never stoops to say “nigger” or “Paddy,” or stoops today in the words of another “I feel obliged to listen to their testimony much as I disbelieve them” or “I do not consider them white men.” With others, I regret that Judge Maloney does not write oftener for the paper. But I presume that he has seen the folly of so much needless froth from some of the rest of us that he does not care to get dragged into such undertow current. I regret that some of us have monopolized so much of the paper with our undertow flash splash as to be a deterrent against the weightier matter of the law and sense entering the pool with the kindergarten class whose knowledge is too small for their head. I plead guilty and Judge Maloney is on the bench, and I am willing to abide by his findings, for if I appeal I might have to appear before a “nigger” or a “Paddy” or “I don’t believe you.”
In passing I wish to say to “P.” that I feel that none of us ought to complain of such a little innocent as “house-breaking,” even if they steal all of our personal belonging, including our brass ear rings. Why, just look it over and see such a little innocent pastime as killing 10,000,000 or more men is not even punished or punishable, and those who led off in this pastime are not only at large and doing business at the old stand, but apparently planning to repeat it and without being encored. Well, now I am not quite sure about encores, come to think it over. I don’t know but what it would be called an encore, for I have heard a roaring chorus about “Unchristian America! Unchristian America!” But say, did you ever hear this chorus sung “Unchristian Germany! Unchristian Germany!”?
In closing let me say to “P.” do not be discouraged or feel too bad because you have been called down by the higher up; you have my sympathy. I have been called down clear to the foot of the class in an effort to silence that “unruly member,” the tongue, which no man hath tamed. But it wags with more velocity and less sense than when at the head of the class a few hours.
Unitarian Church Notes. Sunday service at four o’clock. Music, “Our Father,” chorus choir; “Hear us today,” chorus; “Hallelujah with glad rejoicing,” Miss Eleanor Colburn. Preacher, Rev. George F. Patterson; subject, “The spirit of Jesus Christ.”
The hour of the church school has been changed back to three o’clock.
The preacher on Sunday is the field secretary for New England of the American Unitarian association. He has heard of the recent gains made by the church and comes to Westford with much expectation. The minister urges the people of the parish to give him a hearty welcome in a large congregation.
Graniteville. The citizens’ caucus held in the town hall at Westford Center Monday evening was the largest attended affair of this kind ever held in the town. The votes for the candidates for the different town offices were very close. Excellent order prevailed throughout and the meeting closed at a seasonable hour.
Miss Alice E. Harrington is spending a few days with relatives in Long Island City, N.Y.
Sunday was the coldest day of the winter, the mercury registering from 16 to 21 degrees below zero in the early hours of the morning.
Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Robinson announce the marriage of their son, Earl Richard Robinson, to Miss Mary Helmer, of Tacoma, Wash. The ceremony took place at the Davenport hotel in Seattle, Wash., on January 19. After a brief wedding trip the bridegroom will report back to the U.S.S. Tennessee, where he is serving his second enlistment as second-class signal and expert radio man. The bride will return to her home in Tacoma.
Owing to weather conditions and the ice-covered field at Forge Village the soccer game scheduled for last Saturday between the Abbot Worsted team and the Pacific Mills club of Lawrence was called off. This game was to have been the third round of the American cup series, and will be played as soon as the weather permits.
Ayer
Real Estate Transfers. The following real estate transfers have been recorded from this vicinity recently:
Westford, Judson F. Sweetser et al. to Trs. of Hall Brothers Company.
Notes:
“Major General Smedley Darlington Butler (1881-1940), nicknamed the Maverick Marine, was a senior United States Marine Corps officer. During his 34-year career, he fought in the Philippine–American War, the Boxer Rebellion, the Mexican Revolution, and World War I. At the time of his death, Butler was the most decorated Marine in U.S. history. By the end of his career, Butler had received sixteen medals, including five for heroism; he is the only Marine to be awarded the Brevet Medal as well as two Medals of Honor, all for separate actions.” He was born in West Chester, Penn., of Quaker parents, hence the references to “thees” and “thous.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler.
“The American Peace Award was created in 1923 by Edward Bok [1863-1930], who believed that the United States government was not taking initiative to promote peace in the world. $100,000 was to be awarded to the person submitting ‘the best practicable plan by which the United States may co-operate with other nations for the achievement and preservation of world peace.’ The first half of the prize was awarded upon the selection of the plan by a jury, and the remainder upon acceptance by the United States Senate or showing ‘sufficient popular support’. The 1924 American Peace Award received plans from thousands of applicants, and caught the interest of the Senate.
“The prize was awarded in February 1924 to Dr. Charles Herbert Levermore, who was secretary of the World’s Court League, the League of Nations Union, and the New York Peace Society, and former president of Adelphi College. Levermore’s plan suggested the United States adhere to the Permanent Court of International Justice and should extend its cooperation with the League of Nations.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Peace_Award.
The Moses Greeley Parker Lectures were established in 1917 and continue today at sites throughout Lowell. See https://www.parkerlectures.com/.