A Glimpse of the Japanese

1901

Mrs. Hugh Fraser, the author, widow of an English diplomat and sister of Marion Crawford, says of her life in Japan, to which her husband was minister from Great Britain:

The absence of snobbishness and kindred vices in Japan impresses itself very clearly upon one. There are two characteristics of the Japanese which stand out very boldly. Home life is paramount, and the possession of money is but lightly regarded. Any one who would pretend to be richer than he is would be calmly avoided as a fool. Money is not spoken of, the absence of it is not apologized for. A person living in a poor way gives a guest all he has to offer and is not humiliated at having to show his poverty. The rich man does not overwhelm you with his riches. He shows you one beautiful object from his collection at a time in an empty room, only beautiful through its perfect proportions, coloring and cleanliness.

These people travel through life so lightly weighted, their requirements are so few in the material order, that they seem as independent as the swallows and fly where we, weighted down by the commissariat for our artificial wants, can only creep. But they hold invisible things very precious. Honor and self respect, the love of their children, the harmony of the family, the privileges of patriotism, the commonwealth of learning, these are things for which they will sacrifice much.

She's Proud of Her Title of "Modern Betsy Ross"

1915

In her studio on the top floor of a quaint brick building in Westland avenue, Boston, Mass., Mrs. Amelia Fowler, the famous flag expert, sits quietly in a businesslike frame, and, with needle and thread, works wonders. The photograph shown here was taken recently in the studio. Mrs. Fowler takes a piece of silk and embroiders America's seal on one side. Then she turns it over and embroiders something else in different colors on the other. And neither design shows thru the silk. She is said to be the only person in the world who can do this.

And yet there isn't the slightest inclination on Mrs. Fowler's part to make believe she is endowed with any special ability. She assumes — in fact, says openly — that her accomplishment is due to natural ability combined with hard, conscientious work. Tho she has many employees, she is herself probably the hardest working of all. She's enthusiastic over flag restoration and imparts this enthusiasm to her co-workers.

Mrs. Fowler is known all over the world as an authority on flags, flag restoration and flag history. She is called the "modern Betsy Ross." And she is proud of this title. It will be remembered that Mrs. Elizabeth ("Betsy") Ross, a patriotic lady, made the first "Stars and Stripes" in 1777. Previous to that time several designs had been used for flags. The flag as adopted June 14, 1777, had 13 white stars, arranged in a circle, in a field of blue, and the fly had 13 stripes, alternate red and white, and retained its form until 1795, when Vermont and Kentucky were admitted into the Union; then, by an act of Congress, it was changed to 15 stars and 15 stripes. On March 24, 1818, an act was passed restoring the flag to its original 13 stripes, and ordered "That a new star be added on the 4th of July succeeding the admission of every new State."

Mrs. Fowler does practically all the present flag work for the United States Government. She has restored 173 flags and received $300,000 for her work. She specializes on the "Stars and Stripes," America's emblem. "It means so much to me now, more so, perhaps, than ever before," says Mrs. Fowler. "We should all feel proud of our flag and our country in these days of trial."

Old American Bottles

1902

In early American glassware the history of our national art progress has been written. Choice and precious indeed are the crude blue-green and brown amber bottles made early in the nineteenth century — the portrait bottles bearing busts of Washington, Franklin, Lafayette, De Witt Clinton, Zachary Taylor, Kossuth and Jenny Lind.

Local decorative subjects on many lines of idea were treated by the first American bottle-makers; and the most exquisite Venetian bottle cannot outrank in value, to a patriotic American collector, the primitive old flasks ornamented with Indians, Masonic emblems, the eagle, stars, flags, log cabins, cannon and steamships, or such outdoor themes as the seasons, birds, fruits, trees, sheaves of wheat, the fisherman, deer, the gunner and his hounds, and the first bicycle. The earliest American railway, with a car drawn by a horse, is historically celebrated on a glass flask, as well as the bold Pike's Peak pilgrim, with his staff and bundle. — The Century.


Frog Farming

After laughing at the French people for their frog-eating proclivity, the United States is doing very well in that line, for the Food Commission estimates that we catch in this country about 2,000,000 frogs.

These frogs, which have been hopping for years more and more into gastronomic favor, are sought for in all parts of the country, furnishing a paying industry, not only for the hunters of them in their natural haunts, but for scores of persons who have frog farms and raise them as they might raise chickens. To these persons the frogs mean an annual investment of $100,000, according to the report of the commission, and that means $150,000 to the consumers.

"Patriots' Day"

1900

The State of Massachusetts has a holiday which, although it is but seven years old, has attained great popular success. It is called Patriots' day, and is celebrated on April 19th, in commemoration of the battles of Concord and Lexington.

In Massachusetts this holiday has a special reason for its existence, aside from the fact that Concord and Lexington are within the limits of the state. It takes the place of the old Fast day, which fell by custom on the first Thursday in April. The transformation of Fast day into a day for baseball, fishing and merrymaking was a perversion of what was intended to be "a day of humiliation, fasting and prayer." The people were not willing to give up the vernal holiday, and the celebration of the anniversary of Concord fight gave an opportunity for retaining it. A bill has been introduced in Congress to make April 19th a national holiday.

Of course Congress has no power to make the observance of a holiday binding on the people; but if the nation were to make the day a holiday for its functionaries and employes, its example would undoubtedly be followed by some at least of the states.

It may be suggested that a day might be found for a vernal holiday which would not commemorate the opening of the great war which gave the country independence. The battles of the Civil War have wisely been left uncelebrated, nor have the anniversaries of battles with other countries been turned into holidays.

On the other hand, it is impossible to celebrate the beginning of national life without celebrating some incident of the great struggle with England; and it would be absurd to suppose — considering how holidays are spent — that animosity toward "the mother country" would be fostered, or would even be intermingled with the sentiments which a spring holiday might awaken.


Medicine to South Africa

The horrors of war in South Africa have been softened by many acts of magnanimity on both sides, and fierce foes in combat have forgotten animosity when moved by the appeal of human needs. Before the relief of Ladysmith a message went from the camp of the Boers to that of the British, requesting, for the relief of men in hospitals, a certain kind of medicine which the Boers' medical department lacked. The request was instantly granted. The Boers' confidence in the humanity of their foes was as touching as it was creditable to the British who inspired it.

— Youth's Companion.

Patriotic Creed of the Good American

1920

Patriotic Creed of the Good American for the Welfare of Everybody

Composite by Federal Reserve Savings Directors

I believe in the United States of America.
My opportunity and hope depend upon her future.
I believe that her stability and progress rest upon the industry and thrift of her people.
Therefore, I will work hard and live simply.
I will spend less than I earn.
I will use my earnings with care.
I will save consistently.
I will invest thoughtfully.
To increase the financial strength of my country and myself I will buy government securities.
I will hold above barter the obligations my country thus incurs.
I will do these things to secure the greatness of America's future.
Let us have no financial slackers in this battle.

Socialist Learns Not To Discuss Politics During War

Indiana, 1917

THIS IS NO TIME TO DISCUSS POLITICS

Thomas McGuire, Socialist, Learned a "Bit" on Friday

When a common purpose wells in every man's breast is no time to argue politics, admits J. T. McGuire, 2017 Walton avenue, carpenter and socialist.

McGuire leaned heavily on the bar of a down town saloon Friday night and boisterously mentioned that the young men who are flocking to the colors in answer to the war call are "dubs, because they don't know what they are going to fight about."

Several citizens attacked the man and Patrolman Brandt arrived just in time to quiet talk about forming a lynching party. McGuire was taken to jail on a charge of intoxication, pleaded guilty to the complaint in police court Saturday morning and was fined $5 and costs. He paid his fine.

"I am through talking politics until this war is over," McGuire told reporters after the court session. "This is no time to start an argument."

Henry Bair, who was also taken on an intoxication charge and who admitted that he attacked McGuire, "for insulting our loyal lads," was released by Judge Kerr.

—The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, April 7, 1917, p. 18.

New Stanza Written for "My Country 'Tis of Thee"

1889

An Additional Stanza Added to the Hymn By the Author.

CHICAGO, April 29. — The Daily News to-morrow will publish for the first time, an additional stanza to the hymn "My Country 'Tis of Thee." The author of the hymn, Rev. S. F. Smith, has written the new stanza for the Daily News in honor of the national anniversary celebrated to-morrow. He calls it the "Centenary Stanza," and hopes to have it sung before it is a day old at a number of the churches and mass meetings here to-morrow. The lines are as follows:

"Our joyful hosts to-day
Their grateful tribute pay
Happy and free —
After our toils and fears,
After our blood and tears —
Strong with our hundred years —
O Lord, to Thee."

—The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, PA, April 30, 1889, p. 1.

Note: April 30, 1889 was the 100th anniversary of George Washington's inauguration.

The Way Old Glory Goes (poetry)

1903

The Way Old Glory Goes

In sunlight or in stormy day,
With friendliness or foes.
The country's going just the way —
The way "Old Glory" goes.
Today — tomorrow — still she waves
Over earth's Freedom or our graves!

She arches earth — a rainbow's ray,
Or, when the storm-wind blows,
A beacon-blaze, she lights the way —
The way that freedom goes.
Today — tomorrow — still she waves
Over our glory or our graves.

Mother Goose Rhymes for War Purposes

1918

Columbia, Mo., April 9. — Mother Goose is going to "do her bit" to help win the war. Several of the most renowned nursery rhymes have been adapted to war purposes by G. F. Nardin, graduate of the University of Missouri, and are being illustrated by posters made by students of the Art Department of the university. Two of his rewritten rhymes follow:

Kaiser Bill went up the hill.
To whip the American nation;
Bill fell down and lost his crown.
He stuck on conservation.

Sing a song of thrift stamps,
War bread made of rye
Saving, too, the shortening,
We used to use in pie
Weeping all the porkless days.
And eating meatless meals
It makes a lot of difference,
The way a fellow feels.

Patriotic posters, designed at the university, decorate all Columbia.

—The Ada Weekly News, Ada, Oklahoma, April 11, 1918, page 2.

Walter, Aged Seven, Downs Hun Aeroplane

Indiana, 1918

If Papa Would Only Let Him Keep Up the Work, He'd Soon Be An Ace

"There's a German aeroplane!"

Little Walter St. John, seven-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George St. John of Indiana avenue, aimed his father's rifle at one of the border designs on the wallpaper in his bedroom.

Bang! The bullet pierced the imaginary aeroplane and left a hole in the wall.

Walter was sprawled out on the door, where the "kick" of the gun had sent him. John Lichtley, his little cousin, ran to him crying, "Walter, are you dying?"

"Naw," said Walter, "I just shot down a German aeroplane. Ain't you got no 'magination?"

It all happened while Mrs. St. John was working in her precinct as a Liberty loan solicitor and the father was at his work.

Of course, they couldn't spank Walter for being so patriotic, although the gun has been placed out of his reach.

--The Lake County Times, Hammond, Indiana, September 30, 1918, page 7.

Will Dearly Pay

----------
Will Dearly Pay

Who caused this world-wide grief and woe
The Kaiser.
Who speaks of "Me und Gott?" you know --
The Kaiser.
Encouraged murder and abuse,
Who turned the baby killers loose,
Without reason or excuse?
The Kaiser.

Who paid no heed to Uncle Sam?
The Kaiser.
And showed he did not care a damn?
The Kaiser.
Who drowned our women, children, too,
While sailing on the ocean blue,
And riddled life boats through and through?
The Kaiser.

Who has his spies on every hand?
The Kaiser.
To boost and laud the Fatherland?
The Kaiser.
Though glad to reach his country's shore,
At heart they're loyal to the core
To that damned despot they adore,
The Kaiser.

Who started out the world to boss?
The Kaiser.
And who received the double-cross?
The Kaiser.
Who boasted of his super-men
And had the date all settled when
In Paris he would dine at ten?
The Kaiser.

Whose brutal methods shocked the world?
The Kaiser.
And who the pirate's flag unfurled?
The Kaiser.
Who always will regret the day
He roused the giant U. S. A.
And for his crimes will dearly pay?
The Kaiser.

-- Thomas H. West.

--The Iowa Unionist, Des Moines, Iowa, February 14, 1918, page 30.

Look Out for the Wobblers!

There are wobblers among us.

Everybody knows that.

Look out for them.

Don't let them fall over.

What's a wobbler? A wobbler is a person who is loyal as long as things are running smoothly with him, but who is likely to burst plumb into disloyalty the minute little old adversity shows up.

Don't let him fall. Get to him. Talk to him. Talk straight. Talk of sense and talk hard.

If he's leaning against the war because he doesn't like the fuel order, smash a hole in his logic. Show him that nothing on earth can mar the justice of our war aims, nothing on earth can remove the necessity for our entry into the war. And show him that as long as that is true no reason on earth is reason enough for refusing the last ounce of support for the war and for the government that we have set up to run the war!

If he's got a grouch on profiteers and is for that reason swinging against the war show him where he's wrong.

Show him that the thing to do is to get the profiteers but not to hamper the war. Get the profiteer because he stands in the way of our war strength -- But stand with the war and with the government to the finish!

There is no excuse for the wobbler. If he tries to frame up one don't let him get away with it.

Watch the wobblers.

Don't let them fall over!

----------

Swat the Profiteer.
The profiteer -- who is so nimble?

Who is so wily and so oily and so sticky?

Curses on him. Swat him. Soak him.

He helps the kaiser. He makes it hard for the working people of America. He is tricky. He does harm. He is a hog.

We've got to win this war; we are going to win this war -- and we don't want profiteers gumming up the machinery while we're fighting to win this war.

Down with the profiteer. Out with him. Swat him. Soak him. Take away his game so he can't play. For while he is in the ring he wins and we lose.

----------

Nearly 25,000 children in France are receiving aid from the American Red Cross at the present time.

--The Iowa Unionist, Des Moines, Iowa, February 14, 1918, page 22

DICKINSON PLEASES

Palo Alto Reporter: L. J. Dickinson, who is a candidate for the nomination to congress from this district, spoke in Ayrshire on Tuesday evening of this week. Mr. Dickinson was the main speaker and gave the people of that place a splendid address of a patriotic character. Brother Branagan should have been there to report the meeting to his friend and fellow sympathiser, Congressman Woods. He seems to have charge of Woods' campaign in this county. It is all right, too, for at the breaking out of the present trouble with Germany Woods and Branagan were both pacifists. Woods voted against the war with Germany and was one of the few congressmen that voted against the declaration. The Reporter has not much use for slackers in this war.

--Des Moines Register, Nov. 9, 1917

Comment: The paragraph is from a column on the opinions expressed in other state newspapers. As for me today, I'm still shaking my fist at Woods and Branagan, and tipping my hat to Dickinson.