La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 12, 1926 Page: 1 of 8
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By B. F. Harigel
Third Annual Fair at LaGrange, Texas, September 15-16-17-18, 1926
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Opposite Masonic Building:. Published Rvery Thursday Moruinu nnd E'>ter»*d the Post Office as Second-Class Matter
Democratic in Principle and a Worker For LaGrange and Fayette County
$2.00 Per Year
Volume 47
LaGrange, Fayette County, Texas, Thursday, August 12, 1926
Number 32
THINGS IN GENERAL
Remarks by the Editor
Mexico has placed her name before the
world by the tactics she has pursued in the
past several weeks, and has won glory that no
one begrudges her for having. Mexico’s busi-
ness is her own, and not mine or those other
American citizens who live here. But there is
feeling of sympathy aroused throughout the
United States and an activity on the part of the
Catholic following that may leave its effect on
the world for some time to come. It is not my
intention to go to the rescue of the persecuted
in Mexico, or to condemn the policy of the Mex-
ican administration; one who wishes the right
to do their worshipping according, to the dic-
tates of their conscience, feels that a persecution
of a sect or creed does not warrant a necessity
of driving such from within the confines of their
country. Just where the trouble lies is left for
the reader to determine, it is the persecution of
the Catholics that makes the fair-minded feel
the keen pulse of resentment. President Calles
may feel that he is in the right, but he cannot
convince the world that he is.
Here in the United States the Catholic fol-
lowing has felt the sting and in some instances
the United States has been ridiculed because of
failure to interfere. This is only the sequel that
one can expect, the fellow feeling is there, and
every religious man is inclined to fight for his
cause. As to whether it is up to the United
States to intervene, that is another problem.
The powers ^n charge of this government may
appeal to the Mexican government to reconsider
their decisions and recall and re-instate the
refugees from Mexico, but an international com-
plication is not sought after. The Knights of
Columbus have passed “ resolutions that are
rather severe, their right to resolute is not de-
nied, but to attempt to inveigle this government
with Mexico is assuming a right that is not
granted. The right thinking and liberal man
of the United States will not sanction the Mex-
ican government’s action in the matter of ex-
pulsion, but that is not an opposition officially,
and cannot be so made.
History has shown us that those who are
persecuted will come back, that the punishment
of the persecutor is invariably greater than is
the punishment of the persecuted, although it
may require many years to prove this, in the
present case. Mexico has proven to world
she can do many things that are not popular;
revolutions have torn the republic asunder
frequently, and will continue, if the present
signs are worth considering. What Mexico ex-
pects to gain from such persecutions is beyond
my interpretation. There is however, an il-
lustration furnished in this unfortunate and
most deplorable circumstance, that presents a
sequel to the contention made by the Journal in
its last issue, which is that that unnecessary
agitation will sunder former strong friendships
and co-operative practices. Dictatorship flour-
ishes well in some places and in some countries,
yet we invariably are shown that drunkenness
from power is too frequent a curse and illustrat-
es the evil that ever follows. It is to be sur-
mised, and presumed as well, that if there be
differences between the Mexican government and
the Catholic following, it can be settled amica-
bly enough to permit these religious followers to
continue in their worships without fear of ex-
pulsion.
United States, as a government has pro-
blems that demand her attention, and which
problems are serious, if we care to admit it. To
engage with our sister republic in a religious
warfare—and that is what it will become be-
cause of the bitterness that has been kept alive
of Jate years—would accomplish little good.
Diplomatic methods would accomplish more.
The innocent should not be made victims of a
possible clash; the denouncing of our govern-
ment recognizing the Calles administration dis-
pels not the temptation to state that the den-
unciation is based on selfish moulds. We should,
if we are interested enough in the suffering of
those followers, make an appeal, but we cannot
dictate. Mexico is to be pitied, her people more-
80; we cannot condone the methods now in
operation, but we are not a part of Mexico. The
United States is not the only country on earth
to be appealed to. No good citizen of the United
States can sanction the act of Calles and will
not, if he wishes to be numbered with those
who are free of bias.
OUR WEEKLY POEM
BE GOOD, LITTLE GIRL, GOOD-BYE.
“Be good, little girl, good-bye.” I heard that
'every day
From my mother when I went to school
With bag and books and slate and rule,
And it helped me on the way.
“Be good, little girl, good-bye,” when on a
long journey I’d go.
“Take care of yourself and write to me.
Don’t stay very long, for, don’t you see,
When you’re gone I miss you so.”
“Be good, little gill, good-bye,” she said when
she went away.
And I sat very near and held her hand
While she silently passed to the Happier Land.
And alone she went that day.
“Be good, little girl, good-bye.” Oh, mamma
darling, not now;
Stay with me just a few little years.
Let me love you and kiss away all your tears.
Then to God’s will I can bow.
“Be good, little girl, good-bye—” Oh, the
tenderness of that phrase!
It calls to me sweetly when troubles are near,
It lightens the burdens now so hard to bear
And leads me to prayer and to praise.
I try to be good, but ’tis hard, very hard, and
my soul gives a wail and cry.
But, whatever shadows my life shall shut in,
Those sweet, loving words will keep away sin—
“Be good, little girl, good-bye.”
—Katie Daffan.
During the Summer of 1907 I spent a week
in the City of Mexico and visited some of the
cathedrals to be found there. The one on Zocalo
plaza—the name of the plaza has been changed
—was very interesting, and the courtesies ex-
tended to our party were numerous and very
acceptable. This cathedral cost two million
dollars and, according to the memory that is
mine at this time, was built by the willing help-
ers, and the money came from all classes, some
having only pennies to offer, but the cathedral
was built and stands today in the heart of the
city. Instead of the bells chiming from the
belfray, it stands as a dismal and gloomy spect-
re of rock and mortar. In this cathedral is seen
the altar of the deposed emperor Maxmilian; it
was not used for worship during my stay, but
was preserved to show the usage of the last to
attempt to form an autocratic government in
Mexico. This altar stood to one side, the main
altar, before which the priests officiated, was in
the center, and of very imposing design. I re-
mained during one service, and was impressed
at what I saw; the peons came, they were not
dressed in rich garb, but in plain and clean
clothes. Their worship seemed to be very sin-
cere, and it commanded my respect.
Whatever Mexico may gain out of her
campaign remains to be shown later; and what-
ever ^her gain may be she can have it. To me
the religious prosecutions are ever painful; I
regard them in the same light that I do the
persecutions of the Christians in the ancient
days. No nation, large or small can wave the
red flag and expect to forever dominate, there
must come a reversal of judgment, and when
it does, the persecutor suffers. History has
time and again furnished us with examples to
sustain us in that belief. Yet, I repeat, it is
Mexico’s fight; if the nations of the world can
secure peace in that divided country and give
to every man, woman and child the right to
serve God in their own, peaceful way, we shall
not fear of a safe future for that republic. But
we cannot hope to have good results in that
country as long as there is warfare against a
creed or sect that provokes sincere sympathy.
Emissaries and continguents sent to Mexico to
confer with the ruler and seek to obtain a re-
vision of law and ruling is not objected to, it
is the demand made for us to interfere that is
out of order. The Catholic church has been the
object of attack frequently in the past, it msy
be in the future. But it will flourish, and the
efforts of that church for the cause of religion
and upbuilding will be sustained.
Taking the example of Mexico merely for
illustration, we see what agitation develops.
TALKING ABOUT EELS
L. E. Eubanks in Dumb Animals
In order to prevent eels from departing in
shoals from the coasts of Denmark and emigrat-
ing in deep water, the government has arranged
for the erection of a submarine cable between
the mainland and an adjacent island, along
which there will be fifty electric lights. Each
night the lamps will burn and luminous barrier
is expected to keep the eels, who travel only at
night, from making the journey. Exportation
of eelskins is an important industry in Denmark.
Eels simply refuse to “stay put.” An eel
in a tank at the London Zoological Gardens be-
came dissatisfied, escaped, and took up his
quarters in another one of the tanks some
distance away. The keepers replaced him, but
again the eel got out. Two or thre times, he did
this, passing intervening tanks and always get-
ting into the same one. He showed so plainly
and persistently that he knew what he wanted
that he was finally given his way.
His method of escape was very interesting.
Unable to squirm up head first, he turned round
and threw his tail over the edge of the tank.
Once he had a secure hold, he swung his body
up and over. The “slippery eel” is not only slip-
pery and elusive, but clever.
Eels can live for surprisingly long periods
out of \yater, and often go overland from stream
to strehm. One writer reports having seen a
large number of eels leave the water together
and leisurely eat insects on the shore. A pea-
patch is said to be a regular garden of Eden for
eels, though they doubtless like the moisture and
slugs found with peas better than they do the
vegetable itself.
Eels spawn only in salt water, And never
at a depth leas than 1,000 metreB. But the^pggs
hatch at or near the ocean’s surface, Carried
there by their natural buoyancy. Thus the eel’s
extensive travels begin even before he sees the
light of day. Eels go around the world, pen-
etrating to almost every little muddy pond in
the interior of the country.
HAVE A HEART
Ned Longmeadow in Paper Book
To preach hatred, to continue to abuse the free-
dom of thought, to narrow down a viewpoint
and make it appear that the aims and purposes
of a court of justice or a political ruling is the
work of the Klan in this country, thus exciting
the opponents of the Klan and keeping the se-
cret and undesired society active, will not main-
tain the peace a quiet people seek to shelter. We
must be true to ourselves first, and then we
shall be in position to be true to others. Sym-
pathy does not destroy opinion, neither does it
elevate tyranny. The proper means should be
applied by those who have the interests of the
people above selfish motives, and when that is
done, there will be found no dissension among
(he various religious denominations, but a
determination to do good for all irrespective of
their alignments. Admitting the truth of the
contention that it makes a difference when it
happens to you, does not compel a confession
that my opinion is in the wrong. Mexico can
have all the glory she may claim, I am not ask-
ink for any of it. And wouldn’t father-it if
tendered.
f This generation—degeneration as the pes-
simists arq pleased to define it — has produced
few, if any, masterpieces of art, music or liter-
ature. It has produced few great men, aside
from those brought into temporary prominence
by the fortunes, or misfortunes, of war. It is
ah age which has devoted most of its energies
to the creation of a multitude of mechanical
marvels, most of them designed to render phy-
sical and mental exertion less necessary. We
are losing the use of arms, legs, brain, and seem-
ingly of heart. If the heart interest is even-
tually removed entirely in the interest of ef-
ficiency, life will no longer be worth the living.
We are not yet so far gone, however, as to be
totally calloused and indifferent to the appeal
of simple, honest, old-fashioned sentiment.
Fifty years ago a man wrote a song called
“Silver Threads Among the Gold.” Over two
million copies of the song have been sold. The
royalties are still worth $10,000 a year, which
demonstrates that, despite our apparent decad-
ence, we are not entirely hard boiled under the
shell. There are men who cannot be touched by
patriotic or religious appeals, who are dead to
ambition, who are unmoved by fear, joy, envy,
rride or other sources of emotion. Yet, in many
instances, an old song recalling home or mother
will instantly bring tear to the eyes of these
cases—hardened automatons. Newspaper edit-
ors know the value of heart interest, and a
story containing a touch of genuine sentiment
is always played up to the full limit of avail-
able space.
Sentiment, either in written or spoken lit-
I erature, is a delicate and difficult subject to
1 handle. There is alwi
'over.§entimem
expressed in many words. Sentiment is a liv-
ing spark that burns long after the more bril-
liant illuminations have smouldered into ashes.
Of course every ope knows Joe Mitchell Chappie.
He has delivered unnumbered patriotic addres-
ses, has written miles of literature, and has
printed mountains of magazines. Yet, after he
has passed on to the Valhalla of publicists, he
will be chiefly remembered because he collected
and collated the scrap-book sentiments of our
nation, and gave to us that immortal volume,
“Heart Throbs.” Sentiment lies deep beneath
the surface, but it makes its force felt, as all
those come to realize who offend it by treating
flippantly the serious subjects of life, death,
love and religion.
-O-O-O-O-
Just Where Should Blame Be
Placed in the Matter?
When the humorist carooned the state of
Texas as a milch cow and showed how the corp-
orations were milking her dry,, he didn't play a
false note. There is today the same feeling
that we have to battle against fraud and for the
school children of Texas, that has been kept
alive in the past for many years. We have all
heard about the Text Book awards, and have
seen State Superintendent of Public Instruction
held responsible for some of the unholy features,
but this hasn’t ended the “discoveries that are
presented to us at this time. If this thing
keeps up we are really going to have to employ
the man with a lantern and seek to get the
proper timber to prevent further fraud and this
pestilence^>f graft. Graft was a new word se-
veral years ago, but its hackneyed appearance
has given way to a plain, undressed theft pro-
position. The man who invented the word graft,
for commercial purposes, and its practice as
well, did the fruit lovers and grape juice lovers
a good turn; but the man who discovered the
application of the word to fraud hasn’t given us
anything that is new or commendable.
Judging from the Austin dispatches, which
have made their appearance in the papers, the
end qf the text book controversy is not yet.
There is an illustration, however, that the milk-
ing has been done again, and the old cow—Tex-
as—has poneyed up very nicely. One of the
members of the Texas Book Board, F. W. Chu-
dej—who is quite well known in Fayette
County—makes the startling announcement
that he has discovered Texas is paying more
for forty-three text books than other states are
paying. Inclined to believe the information and
discoverer, but at a loss to know just why the
discovery has been made at this time, makes his
proposition to me a little perplexing. The in-
formant says that we are paying heaps of mon-
ey more than are other states. And if memory
is not altogether at fault, he was one of the
men who was fighting S. M. N. Marrs, our ef-
ficient State Superintendent, and endeavoring to
prevent Marrs’ nomination for re-election. That
fact kills his “discovery”—albeit it lessens the
effect thereof.
This same informer helped to saddle the ex-
pense—the more pay for. text books—on the
people of Texas under the highest bid by any
of the competing companies. Either I am get-
ting a little bum fizzled or the man who wants
to presents his discovery now, is effected in
that manner. When contracts are let, it occura
to a fair-minded people, that the matter of in-
quiring and getting information from other
states isn’t a bad suggestion. But to come
after the smoke of the battle has cleared away,
and present a claim or plea to the attorney
general to sue and cancel the contract is a sour
apple. Trying to get a line on the new and
recent developments also enables me to see that
here is another point In favor of Dan Moody
who refused to approve the spelling book award.
Ho hum—that is the general way; the man who
is right has to hear the burden after all.
_1
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La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 47, No. 32, Ed. 1 Thursday, August 12, 1926, newspaper, August 12, 1926; La Grange, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth999087/m1/1/: accessed July 9, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives.