The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-15
Speaking of Epics.

The management of the New York
Herald, with the alleged motive of en-
couragIng literature in this country,
offers prize of one thousand dollars
for the best epic poem subm tied to
appointed judges, the theme to be re-
lated to American history since the
period of the revolution. One thous-
and dollars Is lot of money-more in
TACT than Milton received for his
masterplece-but the task of prep IT.
ing an epic is big one. There nav
be, however, some poetic geniuses who
have been saving up epics in anticipa-
ton of some such proposition as this,
and 1t is probable that the Herald
office will be flooded with poems OF this
class
1t is claimed by critics that our his
tory since the revolution offers no epic
theme-,hat the figures and events in
our history have been heroic or
dramatic rather than epic OF course
the judges would have to make some
allowance for that. Away out here in
Montana, we have several souls burn
ing with celestial lire that could pro-
duce an epic on almost any theme.
They might have to strain a point TO
enter their productions in the epic
class, but they would make their en-
tries hold. The chief characteristic of
our Montana poets is that they are
unconventional They don't care
whether their meter is epic or not. If
they say poem is an epic, it goes.
There are scores of these people.
The STANDARD is in almost daily re-
celpt of illusions that demonstrate the
existence of scores of poets in Mon
tana who might enter the HeraLd's
contest Only yesterday, one of these
productions reached this office. The
writer, unfortunately, didn't sign his |
name to his poem, so he will remain
unknown. The poem possesses the
qualification of dealing with Ameri- |
can subjects In fact it deals with a |
whole lot of them. The prologue
states that the writer is filled with in /
spiration which demands an outlet
aud so,
Having no maid to WOO
must have something to say
About a thing or two.
The days OF vanity fair
Are things o the past To me,
Now I'm driven to despair
by the half | hear aud see ]
Then this poet proceeds with his
thing or two for couple of hun
1red lines. Among other topics.
ne treats of the recent discussion of
he flag bill. He is evidently a patriot.
but he's broad guaged for he sings.
In gNmhnlS Of fohf no
The stars and stripeS whereby we're bound
Zach twinkling is but one Of group
me Aurora Boreais paint the stripes "ln
whoop.'
Dur heavenborn nag is too sacred for lest;
70 let us reverent.y furl and-give It a rest.
rms unknown poet endorses Rev.
lr. Rounder, but gives Chaplain Ship
zen some good advice. lie suggests
hat the latter consult with the &C.
centric Butte preacher and get some
suggestions that would benefit him.
Regarding the legislature, the poet
Expresses the wish that It's members
would waste less time lie saws:
ilver's depreciation aud the sheep herder's
fate
rwere better to denounce than this star.
spangled pirate "
md lands wOuld be better
{ made but iii we,ter.
As he proceeds, he becomes dis ,
listed over the policy of the lawn K
RS at Helena and dismisses them from
lis poem as follows:
We might as well dispense
I'm the legislative gents
.e could Ly for love and pleasure
y the grace 81 "Roy.-l seizure"
things from on high.
With such evidence as this before
5, II Is folly 10 say that America can
OF produce an epic poem. The thou ,
md dollar purse Will be won by some {