The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1900-09-14

Argument In Favor of the Apple
Blossom.
Subject Treated From the Stand
point OF One VINO Loves the
state OF Arkansas.


state OF Arkansas.
Let me speak few words on this time
ly topic, please. Many men have many
minds" Before the desire for the passion
flower has chrystaiized into fact, or
rather, the legislature has made 1t law,
reflect little. Ii taken in religious as
ISOLATION 1t Is certainly very unsuted as
state flower: First, no state Is strictly
religious. Second, its religious associa-
ton Is with the most sacred part of
Chrfst's life on earth and with that asso-
citation, 1t Is very jarring to a sensitive
religious temperament TO use 1t for so
worldly an Office. As All emblem for the
Kings Daughters or other church sOce-
ties, 1t Is perfectly lovely and suitable.
Ii taken because 1t grows In such wild
profusi0n IN our loved Arkansas as In
other southern states, the honeysuckle,
morning glory, dog fennel or other farm
er'S pest, would answer just as well. We
do not want to choose our emblem Just
because 1t Is prOfuse our state Is rich in
other resources. The Century dictionary
states an emblem lis a design or image
suggesting some truth or fact. " Then
let us speak a few facts for the apple
blossom; the oak four grand lumber inter-
estsl, or any other emblem that will speak
OF state pride. Searcy has chosen the
apple blossom, but IL defeated by the pop
ular voice, with true democratic spirit,
will accept the final decision. There is
no fairer flower than the apple blossom.
Its delicate perfume Is unsurpassed.
Qro or hol r.,,
none that are sweeter. What flower gives
greater promise OF fruition in the near
future than the apple blossom, as 1t her
aids the coming of the Arkansas apple
the finest on earth? Beauty, sweetness,
usefulness all combined.
Ii the apples in the Garden of Eden
were like our apples, then we are more
lenient to woman for having listened to
the tempter. In that one perfect spot OH
earth, according to popular tradition, the
apple was considered the choicest fruit OF
all and honored above all by the Creator
in having been selected for the Tree of
Knowledge of Good and Evil so precious
that death was the penalty OF disobed-
ence.2
For our state flower let us select the
apple blossom, thus proving our loyalty
to states blessing and cur fealty to our
states advancement to her rightful posi-.
ton among her sister states-Arkansas in
the lead of all. BY the choice of our
state Hover we will be known abroad.
Shall weed be exalted to position on
our escutcheon, or shall beautiful "im-
age suggesting fact " be placed there
Let the apple blossom be to child of
Arkansas what the shamrock is to the
warmhearted son of Erin, or the thistle Is
to the stern Scot ; or the rose to the com.
batve Englishman or the fiuer de lis is
to the sensitive Frenchman or the edel-
weiss Is to the sturdy Swiss, as its name
recalls the principal product of his coun-
try-grand scenery. Take either nation,
mention his loved flower. and note the
kindling eve, the Strengthened figure and
general air Of loyal pride. Let our chill
dren be taught the same loyalty to Arkan-
sas by an emblem suggestive" of her
greatness. Maine chose the pine cone
Vermont, the red clover; Delaware, the
peach blossom; California, the poppy
In these can be seen state pride. But
why the violet for Rhode Island. or the
rose for Iowa, or the sunfower for Kan
sasy The choice OF the rose and violet
by those states only emphasizes the fact
OF their scarcity. while the sunfiower Is a
positive disgrace when 1t Is remembered
the use to which the seed Is put The
final vote ON this subject is grave one.
Shall We show our appreciation In voting
for the blossom Of our peerless fruit, or
shall we exalt weed to that honored
place, and so teach our children to under
value heaven-sent blessing in our glori-
GUS apples the fame Of which has crossed
the ocean and the demand for which will
increase year by year. Let me sound the
tocsin to the thoughtless ones "Trifes
make perfection, but perfection is no
trifie. Ever for our states advance.
ment, am MRS. ED BARTON.
Searcy, Ark. July 80, 1900,