Mexico Missouri message., 1912-04-25


ican war. To be sure, it is not the custom OF the
r,top TO indulge in spectacular observances OF
"Dawev Day." but there is general display OF
the flag on residences and public buildings in
honor of the occasion and 1t is favorite occasion
for banquets and speech-makfng
To go at once to the other extreme in cata-
locllng the functions Of May Day 1t 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 OF flats. In
some communities April / is more generally OBJ.
served as moving day" than Is May /, but in
most sections OF the country the later date Is
preferred. In moro recent years, too, custom has
given october l some significance as a moving
day but for the great majority of our people who
move OIL, a year. at most, May l still has
the call as a fixed festival for the shifting OF
household shrines
May Day is date marked for It's own by or
ganzed 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 II has long been accepted as the most auspi-
cous occasion for inauguratng great general
strikes in the various trades. Some May Days
have been rendered memorable by riotous dis.
mrbances. but during the past few years the OBJ
seryance Of the holiday has, for the most part.
passed of quietly.
To all American children May Day is an event
10 be looked forward to- There are May-pole
dances and frolics of various kinds in the parks
# the weather permits and these are so organized
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 omen air special
exercises are held in the school rooms In short
May Day is for the whole body of American Young
people an occasion of relaxation and jollty but
for all that there are SO many frolics, dancing
Arfin md iaI uoth
one discordant note in the dearth OF weddings
May l, and, indeed every day in May would seem
10 be ideal for weddings. but the old superstition
that May marriages are unlucky restricts the
number OF brides on May Day and on the thirty
days that follow
May Day, although not always Of course known
uy that name, is one OF the Oldest holidays on the
calendar In the church calendar the first of
May ls 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
ana other countries are what may be termed the
uirect descendants of the ancient Roman Floralia
ana the Drudic feasts in honor Of the god BEL
the Baal OF the Scriptures. Indeed the origin of
tne hohday seems to date still farther back In
.he history OF India and Egypt. and in both Of
nose ancient countries the May-pole was a recog.
h1ed and conspicuous emblem
history relates that the Druids celebrated the
nrst OF May by lighting immense fires In honor
vi THIS deity, and II is interesting to note that
ms same custom (for all that 1t has lost it's re-
nsious slgnifcance) is yet followed by the Irish
Huu the scotch Highlanders. Among these rem
nahts OF the Celtic stock the festival is to this
aay referred to as Beltne or Bealtaine-mean-
ing literally, the day OF Bells fire." There are
o'ner reminders of the ancient May Day rites vet
20 De observed in certain portions of Ireland and
scouand, but these have lapsed to a certain ex.
&C. ecu. WIN the advance Of time and the invasion
VI new population and the curious person who
M0uu uehold the observance Of the traditions
VI may Day \ all its pristine glory must pene-
w. 80 no"adays to some remote or isolated ham
let In the Highlands
"nere the old customs yet obtain all the youths
VI township or village meet on May Day on
sne nearest moor. A round table or altar is cut
~ 'he green sod and the entire company station
seseWes In trench which is formed around
tne Iaole. fire is kindled and a custard pre-
pared OF eggs and milk, huge cake of oatmeal
Velas meanwhile kneaded and baked on the EN-.
St Inc custard is eaten but the cake is merely
u''!Ged into as many pieces as there are persons
vac company and these pieces are all thrown