Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1912-04-26

come OF the Span1sh-Amer-
fcan To be sure, it is not the custom of the
nation to indulge in spectacular observances Of
Dewey Day." but there is a general display of
the flag on residences and public buildings in
honor Of the occasion and it is favorite occasion
for banquets and speech-making
To go at once to the other extreme in cata-
1oguing the functions of May Day it may be noted
that May Day is also moving day." meaning the
date on which expire most leases of residential
property and when. in consequence there is
general fitting to and fro of the folk who live in
rented houses and in apartments or flats In
some communities April l is more generally OBJ
served moving day" than is May 1 but in
most sections of the country the later date is
preferred. In more recent years, too custom has
given October 1 significance as a moving
day, but for the great majority of our people who
move only once year, at most May still has
the call a fixed festival for the shifting of
household shrines
May Day is date marked for it's own by or.
gained labor not only in the United States but
pretty much throughout the civilized world In
many cities there this day each year
monster parades of the union labor organizations
and it has long been accepted as the most auspi-
clouS occasion for naugurating great general
strikes in the various trades. Some May DAYS
have been rendered memorable by riotous dis
turbances, but during the past few years the OBJ
servance of the holiday has, for the most part
passed off quietly.
To all American children May Day Is an event
to be looked forward to. There are May-pole
dances and frolics of various kinds in the parks
If the weather permits and these are so organized
as to enlist the participation of the kindergart-
'eners and the smallest children as well as the
older ones. When weather other conditions
prevent the festivities in the open air special
exercises held in the school rooms In short
May Day is for the whole body of American Young
people occasion of relaxation and ioIlity but
for all that there so many froics dancing
parties and social gatherings the date there is
one discordant note in the dearth of weddings
May 1, and, indeed, every day in May would seem
to be ideal for weddings but the old superstition
that May marriages unlucky restricts the
number of brides on May Day and on the thirty
days that follow.
May Day, although not always of course known
by that name, is of the Oldest holidays on the
calendar In the church calendar the first of
May is the combined day of st. Philip the Apostle
and st. James the Less, but the festivities which
mark the day in Great Britain France Germany
and other countries are what may be termed the
direct descendants of the ancient Roman Floralia
and the Druidic feasts in honor Of the god Bel
the Baal of the Scriptures. Indeed, the origin of
the holiday to date still farther back in
the history of India and Egypt and in both of
those ancient countries the Maypole was recog-
nized and conspicuous emblem.
History relates that the Druids celebrated the
first Of May by lighting immense fires In honor
of this deity, and it is interesting to note that
this custom for all that it has lost its re-
ligious signfcance) is yet followed by the Irish
b and the Scotch Highlanders. Among these rem
nants of the Celtic stock the festival is to this
Nday referred to Beltine Bealtaine-mean-
ling literally "the day of Bells fire." There are
other reminders of the ancient May Day rites yet
to be observed in certain portions of Ireland and
Scotland but these have lapsed to certain
tent with the advance of time and the invasion
of new population and the curious person who
would behold the observance of the traditions
of May Day In all its pristine glory must pene-
trate nowadays to some remote or isolated ham
let in the Highlands.
Where the old customs yet obtain all the youths
of a township or village meet on May Day
the nearest moor A round table or altar is cut
in the green sod and the entire company station
themselves in a trench which is formed around
the table. fire is kinded and custard pre-
pared of eggs and milk, huge cake of oatmeal
being meanwhile kneaded and baked the
bers The custard is eaten but the cake is merely
divided into many pieces there persons
in the company and these pieces are all thrown