davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
THE LAST OF THE oBER-AMMEReAU PASSION
PLAY.

PLAY.
One of the picturesque surYiyals Of the Mid
die Ages has probably received its death blow,
and will be seen no moro. In 1884 the inhabit-
ants Of the remote little valley of the Ammer
River in the Bavarian Highlands, made vow,
in gratitude for their deliyerance from a pesti-
lence, to produce play every 10 years repre-
senting the sufferings and death of Our Lord.
This was in accordance with the spirit Of the
age. miracle Plays s"-performances based
on biblical incidents-were then in great favor,
and were encouraged by the Roman Catholic
Church-very generally gotten up and managed
by the priests-as acts of devotion, and means
of instrueting the people in religion. In the
course of years these performances fell into
decadence all over Europe but the people of
Oberammergau Upper Ammer Valley consci-
enti0usly maintained theirs, and developt their
excellence, so that of recent years there has
been as many as $50 actors, so musicians and
choristers, and a proportionate number of as
sistants engaged in the representations. The
people took great interest in them, and de-
velopt from among themselves admirable i'm
persOnators of Jesus Christ, the Twelve Dis
ciples, Pontius Pilate, and other prominent
actors in the Sacred Tragedy. The only inter-
ruption to the decenniai regularity of the per-
formance was made by the Franco German war
in 1870. The play was given every conseeu-
tive Sunday for 12 Sundays. and usually lasted
from a. m. to 4 p. m. They were attended
by about 5000 people of the vicinity, but of
late years the attendance has been enormous
from all parts of Europe and the United States
This last has been fatal TO it. for it has rapidly
degenerated from being solemn act Of worship
into great money making spectacle managed
by Jewish spectators, and so the interest and
value of it to religious people been destroyed.
Attempts may be made to revive it, but its
character has been ruined, and it will no more
appear as the devotional act of simple minded,
religious peasants.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
SUPPOSE THAT 1T DOES.

Suppose that the passage of THE Ma
TIoEAL TRIBUNE Per Diem Service Pension
Bill should exhaust the much-talked of
surplus" where would be the harm? The
money would not be lost, as it would be If
sent abroad TO buy foreign goods. 1t would
not be squandered, as millions were last
year by American spendthrifts who cannot
find anything in this country good enough
for them. 1t would not furnish means to
bull and bear stocks, and manipulate the
prices Of produce, as 1t would if paid out
for advance interest on the bonds.
No; it would go directly into the pockets
of the common people in every part of the
country. Every man in the country would
be benefited by the disbursement, for every
one would in some way or another get o.
portion Of it. and the money that is now
lying idle in the vaults of the Treasury
doing no good to anyone, would be brought
out and set actively TO work, to quicken
the current of business and make times
better everywhere.
Would it be so terrible If it took all of the
$619,905, 49 of cash, which the Secretary
Of the Treasury reported that he had on
hand at the end of last month, and even if
it required the Government to Issue bonds
TO meet portion of the expenditure? We
cannot zee wherein ID would be. Thdt
$619,9O5, ,0sG49 would do infinitely more
good in the hands Of the common people
than where it is. As for bonds, the Govern
ment has now the best credit Of any NatiGn
in the world. 1t can borrow money cheaper
than any other-all owing to the splendid
fighting and fOrtitude Of the veterans-7it
can get money at possibly ~ per cent.
where England has TO pay 3. The great
problem before the fnanciers of the country
is TO supply some form of security for the
National bank circulation, 10 take the place
Of the rapidly.maturing bonds. The issue
Of hundred million or such matter of low.
interest bonds (say per cent? to pay pen
siOns, would fill this purpose admirably, and
be great boon 10 the banks, who would be
glad TO have them at even less than 9 per
cent.
This would not increase the taxes one
cent. IL would not make new burden
anywhere upon the people. There would
not be even a shadow of the awful gsind
there was upon the people tOpay the billions
in gold which went into the pockets of the
bondhOlders. There would not be 80 much as
hint Of the taxes the veterans had TO paw
when they came home from the war, in
order to satisfy the money-lenders. Then
everything that they ate or, wore, or used
from the matches they used to light tho fire
in the morning to the soothing sirup they
administered TO the babes in the chilly
midnight hours, was taxed every cent it
would bear in order TO satisfy the never
satisfied mOney-lenders.
Now, the Government could meet its
bonds from its surplus income, derived solely
from duties imposed for the benefit of the
whole country, and everybody would be
better off by the operation.
Above all things, it is right and just, and
justice is cheap at whatever cost.
No man or Nation is made poorer by the
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
The NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
Established 1879
PUBLISHED WEEKLY.
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR,
INVARIABLY m ADVANCE.
Six mon.hs. rs cents. No subscription Tor a less
period received
ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR,
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

MONEY sent MS, otherwise than by regis
fercd letter. postal money order, or draft on
New York, viii be at the risk of the sender.
AGESTS.-We employ no agents. THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE has many volunteer cam
vasseIs. and they are generally honest and
faithful; but persons who confide their sub
ecriptlons TO them must be their own Judges
OF their responsibility. The paper will be sent
only on receipt of the subscription price.
ADDRESSES, RENEWALS, ETC.-Ad-
dresses viii be changed as often as desired,
but each subscriber should I'm every case give
the old as well as new address. In renewing
subscribers should be careful 10 send us the
label on the last paper received, and specify
any corrections or changes they desire made in
name or address.
CORRESPONDENTS. - Correspondence is
solicited from every section in regard 20 Grand
Army. Sons Of Veterans, Pension, Military. Ag-
ricultural. Industrial and Household matters
end letters 10 the Editor will always receive
prompt attention. Write on ONE SIDE of the
paper only. We do not return communications
or manuscripts unless they are accompanied
by request TO that effect and the necessary
Postage, and under no circumstances guarantee
their publication at any special date.
Address all communications 10
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
Washington, ID. G..
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
/" REAL RUSSIA"
By AUGUSTUS BUELL.. The cannoneer1

This is most interesting account Of expe-
riences and observations in Russia, by the tai
eu'ed author Of "The Cannoneer's Story.D
Hc was for time in Russia, engaged in rail-
road building, mingled intimately with the
people, and we need not tell our readers that
he kept his eyes open, got down 10 bottom
facts al tie time, and is able TO tell what
he saw and experienced in clear captiyat-
Ing way. 1t is without doubt one Of the
most valuable studies Of Russia ever made
and viii be read with interest by everybody.
Itwil be eillustrated by photographs secured
on the ground. We shall begin its publica.
tion within few weeks.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

PROPOSED COLoRED DEPARTMENT.
For some years the comrades in the South
have been considering the project of forming
Colored Department in the GAR, which
will take in the colored veterans all over the
United States, or only those in the Southern
States.
The formation of such Department
would solve, it is hoped, many of the prob
lens which are disturbing the white COM
rades in the Departments of Alabama,
Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Ken
lucky Louisiana and Mississippi, Maryland,
Missouri, Texas, Virginia and West Vir-
ginia.
1t Is believed that such Department-or
more than one Department if thought de-
sirable-would speedily have q membership
of possibly 10000, and the members would
do very good work among their own COM
rades and the widows and orphans Of such,
which cannot be done by the limited num-
bers belonging to the white Departments in
that territory.
The first objection that is raised is the
territorial one-that ia, that another iuris-
dictiOn should not be interiected in the
territory under the control of the present
Departments. This is met by the advocates
of the new Department by pointing out the
fact that the United States Government
maintained distinction between white and
colored troops, and further that it did away
with the State designations of most of the
colored regiments and styled them United
States Colored Troops.
The advocates farther say that they fully
recognize that a negro has just the same
rights in the Grand Army of the Republic
as they themselves have, and are, in fact,
very desirous that every negro who wore
the blue honorably shall be mustered into
the Order and become an active worker in
its ranks.
They say that whatever they may think
of the justice of drawing the color line, the
condition of public opinion in the South
must be taken into account. To bring all
the negro veterans into the present Depart
ments which exercise jurisdiction over North
and South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana and
Mississippi would be to at once convert those
Departments into thoroughly negro organi-
cations, which would destroy their value
as teachers of loyalty, and drive out many
white comrades who dread the censure Of
their Southern neighbors for their afiliation
with negroes, and marching in Posts and
Departments under negro officers. They
claim that separate Department for the
negroes viii be as proper and as influential for
good as separate schools and churches are.
They make no objection to white Posts
marching in professions with negro Posts;
but they believe that the white Posts and
Departments should have white officers,
which would not be possible if the negroes
should be admitted TO unrestricted men,
bership.
The matter is well worthy the most serious
attention.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
"oUR DAILY TALK"

Precipce, precipitate, precipitation, and all
their derivatives come from the Latin pre-
+" first" or before" and capat-" the head" and
mean literally ito fall headlong" or "head
first" Preposterous is almost the reverse of this
1t comes from pre-frst or before, and pOsterus-
"after (" or looming later" Literally, there
fore, quitting the cart before the horse"
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

The Brooklyn elevated roads are trying, the
experiment of employing women as ticket
sellers. There is no reason why it should not be
success, and an agreeable and fitting employ
nent be opened up to women who are thrown
upon their own resources. 1t is something that
any fairly bright woman can do, without preyi-
GUS training. They sit in comfortable little rooms
protected from contact with the crowd outside
by heavy pIate-glass windows, through which
there is small hole to receive the money and
pass out the tickets, and all that is required of
them is quiekneSs and correctness in handling
tickets and money.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
1.-THE CANNONEER'S STORY"
Rapidly Approaching Publication.

We have the satisfaction of announcing to
thousands OF eagerly e4pectant readers that
"The CannOneer's Stdfy" in book form is
rapidly approaching completion. 1t will
soon appear as hahdsomely-i illustrated
volume, printed on fife, heavy paper, and
tastefully bound In elath. The price will
be $l.5O. Those who aesire the book, and
have not already sent ia their names, should
do SO at once, so as to Iaake sure Of getting
an early copy.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
proceeding

The engagement between Miss Winnie,
daughter Of JEFF Davis, and the so-called
" Daughter of the $50 called) Southern Con-
federacy," and Mr.. Alfred Wilkinson, Of
Syracuse, N. Y, is declared definitely Of.
ul-natured report aseribes the reason TO the
heavy financial losses which the gentleman
has suffered Probably the main reason is
that Miss Davis is spoile by the adulation
of the unreconstructed rebels, and lives in
an atmosphere of glOrdcation of her father
and his cause" which it must be very diff
cult for man raised ia the loyal North to
adapt himself to ut all times. II is fortunate
for both parties that the engagement is
broken. There does not seem TO be any
possibility of happiness in such union.
To secure even common happiness either she
would have to cut loose from all association
with the crowd who idealize secession and
rebellion in her, or her husband would have
to sink his individuality, and become de-
voted worshiper at tho shrine OF the Lost
Cause.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
UNIyERsALIsrs AND TopACoo.

After a lively debate on an anti-tobaceo reso-
luton, the Connecticut Universalist Conven-
tion adopted the following substitute:
Resolped. That this Convention regrets the use
OF tobacco by cergymen in the fellowship.
OF four ladies who were members, two voted
for and two against the resolution. While the
chewing of tobacco by Clergyman is an un-
pleasant sight to most Christians, there are few
who object to the occasional use of cigar or q
pipe, and formal expression against the same
by great church body seems trihe unneces-
sary.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
REMEMBER. COMRADES,

That THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE considers
its work as only fairly begun. 1t is going
to make a vigorous fight this Winter for
legislation which will complete the Nations
Justice to the veterans. 1t is not going to
abate one title of its activity and zeal,
but increase them, if possible, until
every veteran in the land, and every
veterans widow and orphan has all that
justice entities them to. 1t is in the fight
for victory, and nothing but complete vic
tory will satisfy 1t. Rally around its ban
ner, and give it the support of every veteran
and friend of veteran in the struggle.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

BE careful to renew your subscription
promptly. THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE will
be chock full of good things the coming
Winter, and you cannot afford to miss
single number. 1t is going to be made
vastly the best weekly family paper in the
country, and valuable Ito every member of
the family.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

u each subscriber 10 THE NATIONAL
TRIBUAE wiH charge himself ViM Ceiling
S'se ae1 Subscriber tie circulation Of Tie paper
s0iA be doubled at once, aad ~itA lutte trouble.
Let each subscriber trya.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

Man, alivel What do you mean by going
around in that idiotc straw hat, and those ri
diculous outing toys? Don't you know the
gun was fired for that sort of thing six weeks
ago2"
That's all right, me boy. You are in the
wood and coal business. Irun an ice-cream
saloon"
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
TRIBUNETS.

MRS. LYDIA PERRIN died In Boston last
week. at the age of l01 years. three months
and II days. Since the last National Encamp-
ment the comrades understand why Boston
people live to an extreme old age. The city is
SO delightful that noone wants to leave it until
they simply can't help themselves.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

She-In the name of goodness, how do these
poor people manage to feed so many goats?
He-Goats subsst principally on tomato can
labels and show-hills, and give milk for the
family.
she-NIilkl What kind Of milk, should
ask?
He-Ahl Oil Buttermilk, presume.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23


That is, more than half the entire amount
of duties are collected in the direct interest
Of the men who till our soil.
Having adopted this policy of protection
to our own material interests-a policy
which has enriched the country beyond all
anticipation or computation and having col
lected the money resulting from this policy,
the Government can make no better use Of
it than to disburse ii in the payment of its
just obligations to the men who saved its
life in its day of deadly peril. Besides this
being the course dictated by honor and hon
esty, il is the most effective way Of returning
the money directly to the entire people.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, D. C, OCTOBER %, 1890.
SAMPLE COPIES.

: S~ss.zaln@S ANY non-sub b.
fTT{ scriber into whose
III hands a copy of this
~ weeks issue Of THE
NATIONAL TRIBUNE shall come, viii under
stand that it is sent TO him for examination.
We ask that he or she will look over it care
fully, note its many special features, and COM
pare il with other weekly freside papers. We
are very sure that if they do this they viii
end it 20 be superior in interest and attract
iyeness TO any and all of them. 1t is beyond
question the best weekly family paper in the
whole country. 1t has more distinguished
contributors, and a greater array of valuable
reading matter, than any Of them
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

Mrs. Frank Leslie pronounces Queen Victoria
and the Empress of Germany the two worst
dressed dowdies in Europe" Why shouldn't
they be, if they want to2 Their position in
society does not depend upon the style of their
get-up.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
An epitaph on an old tombstone in England

An epitaph on an old tombstone in England
reads:
Weep stranger, for a father spilled
From stage-ooach, and thereby killed.
His name J. Sykes, maker Of sassengsrs,
Slain with three other outside passengers.
The Sweet Singer of Michigan" in her
palmiest days could not have done better.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

We have secured from Mr. George Alfred
Townsend, whose reputation as journalist
and novelist is more than national, HThe
Fuel Beams" new novel, in his best
style, which viii begin in an early issue
Of TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23
a MAGNIFICENT STORY.
" TIE FUEL BEAMS. |"
by GEORGE ALFRED TOWNSEND.
Gath

Author Of Kitty Of Catoctin." "The Entailed
Hat" Mrs Reynolds and Hamilton" etc.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE is the only
champion the soldiers hare among the great pa
pers Of The country. The best i0dy 10 help all
eeterdns is By getting IL more subscribers.
The National tribune., 1890-10-23

lina who count their investments in mills
and machinery by the hundred millions
and their payments to employees by the tens
of millions of dollars annually, demand and
receive about $11 100000 of protection annu-
ally, which is not large for an interest of
such stupendous Importance. So 81 ,000,0 900
more comes into Uncle Sams hands for re-
distribution.
The hemp and fax-growers demand and
receive nearly 81 100000 year protection.
The tobacco -raisers get $10000,000 worth,
and nearly everybody approves of 1t. I'm
ported wines and liquors pay $8,000,000; j;
barley, $1,O0O0O0; chemicals, $5,OO0,OO0; /;
earthenware, china and fancy articles, $s,-
100000; vegetables, $2,0OO,0OO; rice, $2.-
000,000; glassware, $5,0oO,0OO.
In the items we have enumerated we have
accounted for $311, 100000, in round num-
bers, out of total of $379, ,266075 revenue.
BY no possible stretching of the facts can it
be said that 81 of all this sum was levied
and collected for the purpose of meeting
pension payments Every dollar was gath
cred in in pursuance of a well-settled policy
for the promotion of some great and ma
terial interest, in the prosperity of which
the work, wages and livelihood of thousands
and the development of the wholA country
are directly involved. The same is equally
true as to the articles which are not emu
merated for lack of space.
Ofthe entire amount of$213 500, s02 duties
collected on imports, the following were
levied and collected for the direct benefit of
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-06-19

Although newspaper reading Il greatly
on the Increase 10 Austria Hungsris. II Ia
estimated ,hss some t~snty millions Of the
patton never see 3 paper
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-06-19
After the Battle,

An erConfedersle ottieer relates thai y
tae battle OF Fort Doncl,oa il was decided
that after hot asht TO withdraw from ihl
tat, Upon looking srenud for Cesar. BIZ
cplofcd cook, he was NOV here To he seen
lie shouted TO him several times. and by
aud by was answered IN snch faint tones
that he knew bis servant Vas inside az the
log on which be was standing,
Come out OF therel commanded the oili-
Ger.
Can't do i'll he shouted III reply.
Bat you must The Gsht is all over.
But cant dar's To- white men 10 dis
log behind me-
Aud when the officer Investigated, he
tourd that saeh was the ease They craw
iished ont. one after the other, each hay
lag an excuse to urge, aud finally the dar.
key appeared. The officer WAS about 70
opcu un h,a,, hnt Cnsar protested.
Doan say one word Dis are de fnst
time ebber got ahead Of white man, sn'
IT'S gwine to be the very last De ne1
fout we have 'ze gwiue to let him have
the whole leg to himself, an I'll look fur
a hole In dc ground.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-06-19

Willie was asleep. aud Dan was lonely
Willie is the minister's son, Dan is hi'
! Dog. 1t was Sunday morning, and every
one was at church but these two friends
IL was warm and sunny. and they could
hear the good preaching, for their house
was next door to the chuich.
Dan, said Willie, it is better here than
in church, for you can hear every word
aud don't get prickles down your back
as you do when you have to sit up
straight.
In some way while Willie was listenin 3
he fell asleep.
Dan kissed him on the nose, but when
Willie went to sleep be went TO sleep to
stay and did not mind trh ,s. So Dan sat
down with the funniest look Of care on his
wise black face, aud with one ear ready
for outside noises.
Now thei minister had for his subject
Daniel" This was the name he always
gave Dan when he was teaching him to sit
up aud beg and other tricks. While the
dog sat thinking the name Daniel fell on
his ready ear, Dan at once ran into the
church through the vestry door. He stood
on bis hind legs. with his forepaws droop
ing, close behind the minister who did not
see him. but the congregation did. When
the minister shouted Daniel" again the
sharp bark said, Yes, sir ss plainly as Dan
could answer.
The minister started back, looked around
and saw the funny little picture, then he
wondered what he should do next. but
just then through the vestry came Willie.
His face was rosy from sleep. and he look
ed little frightened. he walked straight
toward bis father and took Dan in his
arms. and said
Please 'scuse Dan. papa. ] went asleep,
and be runned away.
Then be went ont with Dan looking
back on the smiling congregation. The
preacher ended his sermon on Daniel ~
best be could, but then he made resolve
il he ever preached again on the Prophet
Daniel he would remember and tie up his
little dog.
The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1890-06-19

A merchsut's wife recently gave him 3
sealed letter, brggiag him not to open IL
till be 90. TO bis plsce Of business When
be did so lie read:
l am forced to tell you something that
know will trouble you, bat il ismy duty
to do 40: am determined you shall know
II. let the result be what II msy. have
known for week tbst u vas coming. but
kept il to myself uaiii TO Day. ahen II hs.
reached crisis. sod cannot keep II auy
longer. Yon must not csnsnte ms too
hsrshiy. Tor yon must reap the results
- we'll as myselt ] do hope il won't
crush you
Here hsiarued tbs page. bis baif slowly
Using.
The Hour 10 ont Please send me some
this afternoon. thought that by this
method yon would no. forget II.
He didnt