davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
Christmas Day, 1914.

Even the most inveterate of pessmists mas
difficulty in resisting the hope and promise o.
Christmas Day. Here and there some youth1u u
cvnic or sour decrepit crawls away to blue
dav. without a touch Of holly, or good will or
beating drum. Most of US are glad to foregather
with our friends and children and forget hard
times. the war and even loneliness in temporary
riot Of affection and good cheer
Il was Chid's day in the beginning and 1t Is
still a children's day here and now, 1914 years
later. Whether actual youngsters take controi OF
your day or not--and heaven send that they 90
it Is the chid's spirit Of new BIRTH new NE
and reviving strength that makes the hoiluay
worth while. Never did II come more approPr'-
ately than now In year Of pinch ana sorIo" A'u
death. We are all in danger Of taking 700 gloomy
q view of the present overwhelming dlsaSIer-
lust as we had previously come to feel an UNJUST
fed confidence in civilization and mankind we
had not flown 10 the heights Of peace and honor,
the ranouiltv of the Beatitudes, before the WorIu
went mad and began 10 kill and MAIN by "hoie-
sale. Neither now, in the depths, Is the whole
achievement of centuries lost. That IS the IruIh
We must come TO- as the wells alike Of sentimental
ism and of despair are blown aside; and the DAY
of all children is the best of days IN which clear
owed 10 see ourselves not as we are, but as we
can and will be.
It is no time for foolish idealism-for denial
of facts. There is hate and envy and murder IN
the world which it would be folly to ignore. A
Cbristmastide that blinded US 20 the sowness OF
the advance, from generation TO generation, would
be q deceit and snare. We should be equally at
fault to see no hope or prospect down the years
New life. fresh confidence, Nature smiling again
in her sorrow-that is the hope which a Child
gave 10 us. our children and our children's chill
dren. to hearten our long, slow climb toward the
light.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
Professors and the Lay JUDGMENT.

Having commented upon the wild fashion in
which most PROFESSIONAL minds have approached
the war, it is a pleasure to note exception.
The popular suspicion of the scholar turned
loose upon ordinary human affairs can be ap-
pauded. but discrimination must be insisted
upon. Professor James Harvey Robinson, of Co.
lumbia, contributes to the current issue of "The
New Republic" some words on War and Think
ing" which not only discuss the war itself in
sane and interesting fashion but solve this pro-
fessorial problem with thoroughness and dispatch.
Why is a scholar so abjectly absurd when called
upon TO discuss world events? Why should he
not be? is Professor Robinsons idea. His pre-
occupations in no way fit him to have sane
opinions upon public affairs:
To have gained distinction by ones researches in
Pail. chromosomes, N-rays, fossil dophlns, or
hendiadys among the Patagonians, does not insure
but rather tends 20 prevent liberal play OF me IN
tellectual in a great human crisis. Why should the
opinions Of professors Of chemistry, physics, geo-
ogy sacred history Romance philology and compare
tive anatomy be worth more than those OF any
other ndp- ious mortal when II comes TO the rights
and wro OF a European wa
The resources of these estimabe gentlemen are
small so far as a war is concerned, and the crit
zeal standards Of the public toward them are high
Just because the authority speaking is an au-
thorty on something. SO contempt and mutual
distrust naturally result 1t is all very simple,
and it only remains TO add that Professor Robin
son and any other clear-headed students of his
tory one can think Of deserve 10 be classed as
notable exceptions 10 general rule that cannot
be doubted.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
4 Great American.

John Muir was of the best American breed, a
giant in courage, wisdom and good WILL as simple
as the great Mother whom he studied and as
faithful as truth itself. A Scot by birth, he came
up in the wild places of the West and lived to ex
press its nobest aspects He taught his country
men TO know their land at its best.
The blend of artist and scientist, Of poet and
nature student, which made his character would
be hard to comprehend were it not for one essen
tial characteristic common to both types Of mind
"a devotion to truth The years of patient obser-
walton of glaciers were of piece with his worship
Of the great trees and all the other glores Of
national parks. The cold light of science must
always be fed by passionate flame. In John
Muir the pursuit of fact and the love of nature
united to make truly great character. America
should be quick to honor him and steadfast in
unfolding his memory and example.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
An Open Forum for
Public Debate.
THE WOMARS VISION
(In War Tlme)

In War Time)
Lord God OF Hostsl Through lengths of
years
We've yielded UP our men 70 death
And prayed with rain OF angulshed tears
To Thee, who gave US Thine own breath.
But now, o Lord. wars binding fire
COmpels us some new way 70 90,
To Thee once more, with hearts desire
We come constrained Thy VIII 70 hiJw.
Surely In courts whence first we came
Some word was ours. some ancient spell
Mighty 70 save from hates hot flame
And paths whose courses lead 10 he'll.
Thou shalt not Kill. Down the long way
We heard but did not understand.
SO came the slaughter. Lord, to-day
We hear. We answer Thy confnhhd'
Not municipalities, o Cod
Not even beauty's utmost line,
But Man. whose blood Thy Holy ROD
Doth measure, he himself is Thine.
And not for death Thy lands are spread
From pole 70 pole nor for despair.
BUT for mans proud free foot 20 tread
Master OF earth aud sea and air.
II We had seen. II We had tnownl
But only in wars bitterest hour
Have we who gave our bread a stone
Learned thatThypea rs human power.
But who shall lead us that glad way7
Earth reeks with agony Our hands
Lift out through battle-smoke 10 pray,
Our feet are set on shifting sands.
Our light. low -glimmering. is Of woes
Far gathered. burned at funeral pyres
Wherein are laid no cross. no rose.
No blessing that the heart desires.
The days are dark. the nights are long.
DespOiled OF rest and precious sleep.
BloOd-staued the dead and dying thronK,
Gauut ruin stares and women weep.
o comfort ye, The prophets cry
reaches the heart OF this distress
And soOthes our pain. we know not why,
TIL Mary comes 10 loyeliuess.
she brings the child. 10, all the earth
Us filled with light. . Little one,
Lord Jesus, in Thy human birth
We turn from death 20 life begun.
For Thine the government shall be.
Wonderful, Counsellor our Way!
And we Cbedient shall see
Loves power shine through this NOR
tai clay.
And We will bring the little child
and let ham learn 90 face the sun
Jnul sOul-lghteued, recOuc.l,d,
his own true hrthrght shall De won.
Then may we claim our heritage
The man. % God. Thou gttest me
Keeps the white promise ot his age
Lies glory rendering back 20 Thee.
o Mary, Mother in whose heart
These things are hid we pray be near.
The way is strange. teach us thine art
Life TO upllft. 20 guide. 10 cheer.
Incense and gold and myrrh we bring.
War. Fastening tottrrs 20 lts doom.
Peace or this earth. man s. heart shall sing,
In peace the rose Of life shall bloom.
MARY r. PEABODY.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
The Market Value of Official Dignity.

II has long been recognized that the Board OF
Education has no sense of humor. It's verdict in
the Henrietta Rodman case leaves open the ques-
ton whether it has any common sense. lndlvidu-
allv its members are estimabe, worthy human
beings who fill their places in this world about as
well as most other human beings fill theirs Off
cially. when they are capable Of sitting in con-
clave and imposing a sentence amounting TO
fine of 81 800 on a subordinate for criticism Of
their policy. they are purblind and perverse.
Miss Rodman has been in the service of the city
for fourteen years. She has risen TO salary
of $4,000 d year-a fair testimonial regarding
her value in a system where salaries for teachers
are not monumental. She has had a rating Of
superior merit These things all mean that she
is a teacher worth keeping at work or they indi-
cate rotten and untrustworthy method Of valua-
tons in the schools.
Yet because she ventured honest, if tactless,
criticism of the Board of Education and offended
the dignity of that august body the city is con-
demned to lose her services for eight months and
she is forced TO lose 81 800 salary Miss Rod
mans services to the city are worth more in a
week than the dignity of the Board Of Education
in the aggregate term Of all its members. It
is TO be hoped she will take appeal to DR.. Fin
lev. State Education Commissioner, who may be
trusted to have more sensible scale Of judging
the value of dignity and public service.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
A Counsel OF Cowardice.

II is distressing 20 find two such advocates Of
courage and high ideals in politics as "The
World" and 1.-THE Times" urging President Will
son TO make "some sort Of working arrangement"
with the patronage raiders in the United States
Senate. II you are held up by highbnders the
least troublesome thing 10 do is TO deliver the
goods, is the argument made by our esteemed
contemporaries.
"The President must work with the tools at
hand if he is 10 accomplish anything" says "The
World" And "The Times" says: "Abstractly the
President is right, but he is raising the issue I'M
necessarily and is rsking his best asset before the
country-his control Of Congress-for feabite.
The fact that he is right-and he is-will not
change the public conviction that there are times
when il is not well 10 insist on truisms'
Such cynical counsel will hardly convince a
President who values his prerogatiyes and proper
ly resents a scandalous attempt 10 infringe them
The public service can 20 on perfectly well even
II the Senate continues 10 reject nominations
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
WILL AMERICA REMAIN SnENT7
A Plea from Scotland for Our Action
in Belgium.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The American nation is gen
orally agreed that Germany has no
right whatever TO be in Belgium. The
atrocities fire, murder, pillage she
has committed in that country are in
credible and cry aloud for retribution.
Hundreds of thousands Of refugees have
sought shelter in other countries, and
the bulk of those who remain are starv-
ing, while war levies continue to be
made on the impoverished people But
worse is to come. When the Germans
are driven back to their own territory
"a long and bloody atFair-B Belgium
will again suffer the awful horrors
through which this brave nation, still
fighting for her liberty with a remnant
of her gallant army, has already passed.
These horrors no pen can adequately
describe.
There is only one nation that can
stop them-America. Is it not time
that America, the home of freedom and
liberty; America, which is giving sym
pathy and material help so generously,
should speak out with no uncertain
voice and declare that Germany must
at once evacuate Belgium, which, by
the terms of the Hague Convention and
by her own treaty, she had no right 20
invade? Surely, sir, in the interests
Of humanity America will no longer re-
main silent
f. WOLCOTT STODDARD.
Garvocks, Greenock, Scotland, Dec.
II, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
THE CLEARY SCANDAL
Cannot Mr.. Whitman as Governor
Take Action?

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: I read that Cleary, the Haver-
straw boss, who shot his son-in-law.
says now he would have been acquitted
whether his daughter sacrificed her
self OF not.
OF course he would Il was his
political drag that saved him. Does
anybody suppose he would have got
off so easy without the county Demo
cratic boss defending him and Demo-
cratic prosecutor opposing him.
Why was not his daughter the hero
inc, taken before the grand jury and
made the states witness IN the begin
ming? Why was a jury OF all lgno-
rant citizens permitted 20 be drawn
Why was not the boss, his wife or the
daughter asked If the boss didn't know
the boy had married the girl before
he shot? Why was other vital cyl
derce suppressed, as the dead boys
relatives say? And why did the de
fence call the District Attorney as one
Of its star witnesses? For the sake
of Justice and 20 uphold the dignity OF
the law, why cannot Mr.. Whitman IN
vestigate the conduct Of this che and
Gust this cold-blooded assassin from
the town clerks Office when he be
comes Governor? Tho situation, I'm
told. is to be brought TO his notice
anyway. FORBES VI. ROTHMEL.
Highland Falls, y. Y, Dec. p, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
BELGIUM THANKS AMERICA

compT Of
To-day its Christmas Christmas he'll
But still tell the story once we loved 70 tell
GOOD Will" Good WiH"we "Peace-ve hear Tho ~
And crouch among the the cruel flame
And hear the children crying ewes away
For them there's neither bread home happy Christmas INV
But look there comes far the
From hearts that still pity, eyes still can cn
Oh! little lips a-hunger, oh faces pale and wan
there's somewhere somewhere earth somewhere good Will -
man; t'N VIII 10
Across the waste OF waters. thousand leagues away
lhes some one still remembers that here its Christmas Day
Oh God Of Peace remember and in Thy mercy keen
he hearts that still can pity the still can ye,
AND the shame and torment, the and the graves
10 theirs the land of freedom. from ours the land ~ s,,
what answer can we send hem'-we but knee and
GOD grant God grant to them at least a happy Christmas Dv
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
NOT A GERMAN
A Reply to a Critic of England with
Some Thoughts on Chivalry.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The person signing himself
Not a German" 10 letter in to-day's
Tribune is not even a man. His sneers
at Winston Churchill for calling the
base, cowardly attackers of innocent
people i'm undefended English coast
towns "baby killers" reveal him as one
who ought to be within the German
ranks, if he is not. Even were | Ger
man, ] should indeed be ashamed Of
such atrocious and wholly indefensible
conduct as the Smelling and killing Of
innocent, helpless non -combatants. The
cowardly exploit of these knights in
shining armor" under cover Of fog
makes one deeply deplore the passing
Of the good old days of chivalry when
warriors came out to engage men
men who were in the same fighting
business as themselves To-day Ger
man chivalry seems dead positively
dead. HIGH lDEALo.
New York. Dec. %, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25

not submitted in advance for its Endorsement
Colonel Roosevelt fought the Senate's usurpa'ioh
in the Crum case for couple of years and car
ried his point. No harm 70 public business re-
shifted. President Wilson can well AFFORD not
merely to be right, but to stay right. No puonc
man ever lost standing with the country by com
batting political spoilsmen, even if in doing so ne
had 10 "insist" on what they considered uncom-
Portable "truisms."
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
THE Book Of Nature.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: The Undersigned desires 20 ex-
plain that THE BooK of Nature" now
presented at Wallack's Theatre is not
a movie show" The motion pictures
shown represent over three years work
in a specially designed laboratory 20
illustrate the phases of Nature that
are never exhibited by animals in
cages. The exhibition represents "A
scientific task, like the preparation Of
a detailed monograph, and the reels
represent the chapters. IL has not
been my intention 90 present a series Of
sensational spectacles The stage Of
Nature is vast and roplete with humor
and tragedy shat attend the struggles
for life. and the story told upon the
screen in no way departs from truth.
The arrangement az Wallack's is I'm
answer 20 a growing demand eXpr, ssed
m letters 90 the undersigned for a
centre where educational pictures, in
proper sequence, can be seen
RAYMOND l.. DIrMARS.
The New York Geological Park, New
York, Dee %, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
NUN DTODJ T7,C COITTGNT An OPP
L he EOI LIZ y WI - WIN Publ

was the originator Of the vote, for
women" idea.
All that this Mormon's claim shows
is that woman suffrage has proved 70
be popular reform and, as always
happens, there are plenty OF people and
parties 20 come forward TO claim credit
for the origin Of a successful measure.
10 must not be forgotten that there
are ultra Prote5tants willing 10 be-
Ieve statements as extreme about the
Catholic Church as Mrs. Annie Riley
Hale is prepared to believe about the
Normons. Extremists are IN every
parry and they are ever credulous.
l' is pity, however, that Mrs. Hale
is allowing the hysterical anti-Mor-
mons 90 influence her. The exhibition
of militaucy she has given NJ several
public meetings in New York City
lately g. a bad example for those
weaker sisters of hers who must, at all
costs, remain within their homesl
EVA WARD.
New York, Dec. %, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
THE DIARY OP OUR OWN SAMUEL PEPYs.

December 23-Slept i'll, what with too many
worries: but w. Pincus did send me some brass
devices to keep my easements from rafting, which
was kind thing to do. c. Rice the poet to call,
and we had a long walk together, and talked Of
many things and l. for one, shall be glad for
him TO be in the office with me next year. To
luncheon with c. Riegelman the barrister, and
he let me pay the reckoning, the Christmas
spirit suffusing him with kindness Home to din
ner, and found a kitten there, and was wood
wroth at it, but my wife tells me she did get it
from the Bide-a-Wee Home to give to Mistress
Hilda for Christmas, so my rage vanished, and
did play with the little beast for an hour, having
nought else to do. And very pretty and graceful
it was too. But ere long it viii be q cat, and
then | should hate it, with its tricky ways and no
telling about it ever. To the office, where hear
Mistress Henrietta Rodman hath been suspended
from teaching Still public boards have grown
tolerant of satire in the past two thousand years;
for it will be recalled what the archons did 70
Socrates about the gadhy.
24-Up by times, and to the Office, where all
the day at my labours. In the evening to see
Mistress Ellington do Henry Arthur Jones's "The
Lie" and thence TO the Office for few minutes
and home and to-bed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
THAW AND THE COURTS
A Protest, with Prophecy Of What
May Follow Further Delay.

a Protest, with PROPHECY OF Nhdt
May Follow Further Delay.
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In The New York Tribune to-day
read an article in regard 70 II. X.
Thaw and the contemplated habeas
corpus proceedings for the purpose of
preventing his transfer from New
Hampshire TO New York.
Il seems 20 me that If the courts
allow him 20 use further legal process
for the purpose as indicated the
Judges are playing with the fire Of
public Indignation, which may result
i'm the recall Of judges being incor-
porated in the constitution Of several
moro states. Il is a question already
debated. and I believe the acts OF the
judges themselves will decide the re-
suit
Perhaps the judges Of to-day may
not be affected. There Is q future
however. in which the people may de-
mand equality for rich with the poor.
MILES H. DE LONG.
Scbuvlerville, n. Y, Dec. %, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
A LAST WORD ON PoLYGAMY
What Mormons Assert VS.. What Suf-
fragist Believes.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: That Mormonism is neither the
cause nor the consequence of equal
suffrage is a simple proposition that ]
Mary Shaw has stated so ably. The
existence or non-existence Of sex dis
elimination in political balloting can
surely have nothing 20 do with the
formation or growth Of a religious cult
among a community.
Neither Mrs. Annie Riley Hale nor
Miss Marjorie Dorman can be said to
have a strong sense q the value Of
evidence They believe the extreme
statements made by ex-senator Frank
J. Cannon offered without much
proof because they want 20 believe
them. Miss norman. while NOT con-
troverting my previous statement with
regard 20 the origin Of woman Suffrage,
!ngenuously absorbs the claim made by
a Mormon missionary that his Church
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
Doe. Il "Pay" To Be a Doctor?

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: Would one Of your readers be
kind enough 20 state his opinion as %
the advisability Of ones entering the
large field for medical research, and
does the profession as q whole gem
orally pay? S. L. G.
New York, Dec. %, 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
A NOTE FROM CAMBRIDGE
An English Correspondent Who Is
Not Known in His Home Town.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: A Lucius H. Vane has been
writing 10 your paper and to other
American journals letters in praise Of
Germany and antagonistic to the pol
icy of this country. He dates from
Cambridge, England.
l think you would like to know and
! should be glad if you will give pub
LEFTY to the fact that Lucius II Vane
Is certainly not member of the Uni
yersity Of Cambridge, and that no one
Of that name is known as a resident
in the town. VI. r. JAMES
Nice-Chancellor Of the University Of
Cambridge
Kings College, Cambridge, England.
Dec. l5, 1914
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
"rIPPeRARY". BY OUR OWN A. 2 Housy.y

"TIPPeRARY": BY OUR OWN A. e. HOUSNAN.
It's long way to Tipperary-
And far TO London town,
And far to lie in English fields
And watch the sun 90 down
It's long way to 90, my Dear,
And still the bugles sound,
And still my feet must walk strange roads
And not old English ground.
Before can come back again
It's long, long way 10 go
And few the thoughts have to give
To the sweetest girl know.
Good bye, Piccadily,
Where first found you fair;
Farewell-Ive a long, long way to 90,
But my hearts right there.
F. d.
Did we or did we not forecast a white Christina.
Your money back if you like.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-25
The Coming Tower
Before We forget, here's wishing you
Goody! GoOdy! Another Holiday

Reminding one Of the out-Of-work gentleman AZ
Marlin one training At noon the 'A''o''
whistles blew. and crowd Of factory hands carrying
lunch. bores. emerged The porter-emeutus looked
AZ them "Dnneh time 70 lots O. folk',' he SAID pu'
On'y twelve o'clock 70 Gswge!'
It's Christmas Day for lots OF lo'N'' '1' V'
day. December %, for
put no. as the French have it. There are SO many
20 whom, Il means only another day OF 'u'"e Ioo
hunting that those Of us who have Jobs oughtn 10
cbafe At having to work 500 days in the year dieu
combining and exhaustng though II may De-
THE KIDS
uo-e,s 70 the countless little kids whom Var can
not convince
That Santa Claus is any less their patron ana
their prince!
The kids, who place their shoes and socks where
cold the fire. and dead
Unmindful too, that war has smashed the CHM
ney overhead.
The kids. who bend with labored breath above that
ancient note:
81 hope you'll bring it, for it is a whole
year since / wrote"
The ragged kids, who chatter on, forgetting even
bread,
While mother holds herself, and reads the latest
list of dead.
The dreaming kds-the living hds-hOw should
they understand
The reindeer cannot venture out across a hostile
land?
That flying high, or coursing low. TO bring US
Christmas cheer
They run the danger Of the guns Of Caution and
of Fear.
The million kds-the trusting hds-their hopes
are vain to-day;
But faith shall lead them again when Peace
has cleared the way.
Don AUGUR
It has been for Audubon Tyler 20 discover why the
colyum never has showed signs Of Cracking under
the Strain. Thanks, old love an Lanza's APP
piled Mechanics" says Mr. Tyler, 81 find that the
formula on which the strength Of any column must
be based to withstand actual stress is