The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-28
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

NONd 0COI1a.
 
 Yes have been told to go there. sap
 It seems about as ia fayprfissss place to send people as Jericho.
 To understand Evangeline, you must go to Nova Scotia.
 It may be remembered that the re- conquest of Acadia from the French by the English was accomplished by Col. Benjamin Church, famous as an Indian fighter and the slayer of King Phillip.
 Five ships came to anchor in the harbor of Minas in September, 1755, under the command of Col John Wins low of Massachusetts, with body of armed men, to carry out the despotlc order of the king. The proclamation ordered all old and young men, as well as lads 10 years of age to attend church, sand when they did so they heard the reading of their doom:
 Tt is peremptorily his majesty's orders that the whole French inhabi- NehAieS OA thCoS dlolIlClS D0 T6inON6u5 and I am, through his majesty's good ness directed to allow you the liberty to carry off your money and house. hold goods. ets.
 Longfellow never visited Grand Pre-, in Nova Scotia, or Louisiana be- fore writing 'Evangeline," and at i,,A af history of the deportation of the Ar cadians had scarcely been investigated and causes New England historian to say: "No one will attempt to justify one of the saddest episodes in mod ern history, but the genius of one great poet has thrown a somewhat false and distorted light over the character of the victims. who were notably quarrelsome and to the last degree superstitious."
 Prof. Alcee Fortier of Tulane uni- versity believes it impossible to justi- fy the measure in any way and de- nounces the action of Governor Law renee in deporting every Frenchman who would not take an unqualified oath of allegiance to the English king For his Justification, Parkman says: selves neutrals, were an enemy en- camped in the heart of the province' From the wrangle of sober historians we turn with pleasure to Longfellow, who with poetic license throws a halo around the heads of the Arcadians
 It seems strange that Grand Pre-, be called Wolfville. A traveller writ ing over 30 years ago, in speaking of it, says: Acadia college Ca Baptist institution) is here. The college build- ings are situated on hill overlooking the basin of Minas. From the belfry of the college one may see one of the most beautiful views in the mari time provinces, and certainly the most famous poetic locality in the coun- try-Grand Pre-, or the great meadow bluff of Cape Blonudon, and the basin of Minas shining like burnished silver in the sun, It was good to know that Baptists had got footing in such a Catholic country. and as we rode through New Acadia we breathed prayer that Louisiana Baptists may strengthen their position among the Creoles.
 Longfellow's "Evangeline" is based on the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia in 1755, and so far as [ am concerned we hold no brief for the English or the "Cajuns," but like those who still live in the blue-nose coun- try of Nova Scotia and in the Teche region of Louisiana only care for the legend of the poem. Here in these Louisiana bayous the legend of Evan geline" not only exists, but is lived, and yet some people say poets do not influence anybody. William Tell has influenced the prosaic facts of Swiss history, and "Evangeline" Is treasured by the Acadians in Nova Scotia and Louisiana to this day. Laugh at me as you may. but I believe in the "Evangerine Oak" and would like to sit beneath its shade while I read Longfellow's immortal poem, which he finished on his 10th birthday.
 
 I went to New Orleans to write up the Southern Baptist convention but the above notice about Acadia col lege in Nova Scotia Is the only item I've gotten into my column that con nects with "Evangeline"