Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-24
CITY Bellies ITS NAME.
Lack of Harmony Noticeable m
Concord.
VARIOUS REASONS GIVEN
Abandonment of the Yearly Legisla-
tive Sermon.
'STUBBORNNESS OF THE PEOPLE
Good Accomplished by the Pierson
Poor Fund-Telephones and Troll
ley Lines Lessen Insanity.
'STUBB0RNNEss OF THE PEOPLE
BY WILLIAM e. CURTIS.

b1 WILLIAM CChIlS.
Special Correspondence of The Star the Chicago
Record Herald.
CONCORD, N. H, July 10, 1907
A great deal of criticism has been direct
ed at the legislature Of New Hampshire be-
cause of its friendly disposition toward the
railways. This is said to be a railway-rid-
den state, and the republican party is
blamed for It, That party in New Hamp-
shire also has the reputation of doing more
fractional scrapping than in any other state.
There is no such goings-on In Maine. Massa-
chusetts. Vermont or in any other part of
New England; hence there must be some
particular reason for 1t here. where the
private feuds are frequent and fierce
that when a Concord lady wants to give a
dinner or a tea party she has to send
around to inquire If the people whose names
are on her invitation list are on speaking
terms. This condition Of affairs is not only
inconvenient, but embarrassing, and every
body must admit that 1t is neither con-
sistent nor appropriate to city of Its
name. Concord was originally two towns
called Pennacock and Rumford and when
they were united the present name was ap-
piled because of the peace and brotherly
affection that prevailed along the banks OF
the Merrimack
Just when and why that spirit expired
and the evil one" began to get In his work
cannot be definitely determined. and is
favorite subject of speculation Mr. George
E. Moses. the able and accomplished editor
OF the Monitor. the mouthpiece of Mr. Will
Hal Eaton Chandler, who Is himself emf
nent for amiab1lfty. and unselfishness, and
always sets a good example to his neigh.
bors. blames President Monroe for all the
quarreling that has occurred Eere since 1877
Mr. Moses says that when President Mon
roe was swinging around the circle that
year, and visited Concord. he stood on the
state house steps, thrust his hand into his
ruffied bosom. and said:
Il confess to the trepidation with which
confront the society Of this cultured
capital
Mr. Moses asserts that every person in
the audience accepted the remark as per-
sonal to himself; the chests of all Concord
went out instantly, and have been out ever
since.
But what seems more plausible reason
for the lack of harmony and brotherIy
love in New Hampshire is the abandon
ment Of that pious practice which pre-
vailed in ancient times when, upon the
annual meeting Of the legislature, a ser
mon was delivered in the presence of the
governor and other officials and the mem
bers of both houses by some clergyman
celebrated for his piety and eloauence
The choice was made before the adjourn
ment OF the previous session, SO that the
parson selected might have plenty of time
to prepare his discourse. and it was, there
fore. full Of well-considered admonItion
and advice and had wholesome effect
givers of the state. 1t was customary for
the preacher to discuss state and national
issues from his own point of view. but
his opinions generally conceded with the
platform of the party in power. 1t was
also customary for him to review the plans
for legislation after the manner Of the gov
ernor s message. only his ssage was in
spired. while that Of the governor lacked the
effusiOn of divine grace. The rest of the
service also had a political tinge like the
prayers OF the good men who are called
upon these days to invoke divine blessing
member that the chaplain of convention
in Iowa some time ago asked the Lord to
BLESS these. Thy servants and give US
| our usual 10000 majority"
The Last Legislative Sermon.
The last Legislative sermon was preached
| in 1861 at the South CONGREGATIONAL
Church. where the state officials and MEM
| bers Of the legislature were escorted in
| body by troop of cavalry of great
| fame and pride in New Hampshire. known
as the Governors Guard. They had q
gorgeous uniform made in imitation of that
worn by the bodyguard of the Emperor
Napoleon III and were not only very
proud. but very careful of it. On this oc-
casion. after escorting the members of
| the legislature to the church, they re-
| manned outside during the services. which
| were quite long. In an hour so it be-
| gan to rain. and, fearful lest their uni
| forms might be ruined. the men became
| nervous. Therefore Capt Sanborn, the
adjutant, who was a druggist by trade,
rode his horse into the church and up the
center aisle to the pulpit. where he in
terrupted the preacher, and facing the
congregation shouted:
Gentlemen Of the legislature, Gen Stark
commands me to say that he Is awaiting
| outside to escort you back to the state
house"
The members Of the legislature took inn
mediate heed of the warning arose as a
n11fy wit Of la-suf
half of the sermon which had been so care
fully prepared for their ediflcation unde-
livered.
The Gen. Stark alluded to was not the
hero of Bennington, but one of his de-
scendants.
1 quite sure that the inharmony in
the republican ranks and the Overwhelming
influence Of the octopus upon the legisla-
ture Of New Hampshire Is directly due
to the abolition of this pious practice, but
1t Is not too late to repent and reform.
governor 1 am sure his first official act
will be to restore the ancient and honor
able custom of legislative sermons
These are very determined people here
They feel strongly; they are intense in
their preferences and preJudices. and are
inclined to carry out their convictions. Over
in the village of Rye. which. by the way,
Is one OF the loveliest spots on EARTH where
nature strives to teach all to live together
In harmony. there used to be large farm
house set In cluster of trees. one-half
half a brilliant red. OF course, everybody
who noticed the extraordinary freak began
to ask questions. and this is the explanation
that was given them:
Very Determined Brothers.
The old house had been in the same fam
lily for several generations. and the latest,
two brothers both married and the fathers
of large families. had lived under its COM
prehensive roof In peace and contentment
all their lives. They had worked the farm
together. holding everything in common,
each taking from the general store what
ever he needed, and the father acting as
general manager for the united families.
But one morning the old man died. Call
ing his sons to his bedside, he spake unto
them in this wise:
Boys l have made no will, because I
supposed you would prefer to live on here
together and share things in common in
the future. In the past. l think that
would be the better way. because l have
never known two brothers congenial.
SO affectionate, so unselfsh in their regard
for each other. And II the time should
ever come when it seems better to break up,
| am confident that you can arrange a set
| Element between yourselves more salts
| factory than any 1 could suggest"
The two brothers shook hands with him