The menace. [volume] (Aurora, Mo.) 1911-1920, 1919-01-04

u
III have been momentous ones for THE Men
III ACE FAMILY During the whole eight n
LS years Of the papers existence the spirit
Of Christmas has never manifested itself so glor-
iously as during the holidays just past.
When, on that memorable morning of No
yember 18th, the news was flashed over the wires
that the allied forces which had been battling for
more than four long years for the realization OF
the worlds old dream, that Of freedom and de-
mocracy, had been successful, we were overjoyed.
This was SO because we felt that the victory
marked the beginning Of the end Of all autoc-
racies, Of which the pope of Rome is the chief,
and the birth Of a new era, an era in which the
human race might begin in earnest the march to
the great goal Of social perfection, political and
religious freedom and that hitherto shimmerical
state described in literature as the fatherhood of
God and the brotherhood Of man.
Our cup Of Joy, however, has now been filed to
oyerhowing 1t was so several days in advance
of Christmas The Free Press Defense League
had until the first day Of next May to pay the
balance Of the purchase price Of THE MENACE
and all property and accoctrc:aents thereto be-.
longing, amounting in the Nggyegate to more
than forty thousand dollai Realizing, how
ever, that such campaigns, if Jig drawn out and
timidly conducted, are more Jr less monotonous,
we announced several weeks ago that we would
make desperate effort to get the required
amount and wipe out the obligation by Christ
mas, in consequence whereof we appealed to the
great patriotic forces of the nation, Of which THE
MENACE is the undisputed champion, and asked
them to come to our relief at once and achieve
the purpose Of the campaign by that date.
Their loyalty and generosity is attested by
the fact that up to the close Of business Decem-
Der gath $46,SY603 had been received at this
office for the purpose in question, not only giving
us sufficient funds to pay the obligation, to-
gether with the interest that had accrued there
on but handsome little sum in addition. The
money received in access Of the amount required
will be placed in the regular treasury Of the Free
Press Defense League and used in the regular
way for organization and propaganda purposes.
Should there be any who contributed after the
necessary amount was received at this office who
are not willing that this should be done, their
contributions will be returned as cheerfully as
they were received.
From these facts you can see why our 'happi'
ness is complete, and why we feel more hopeful
than ever before for telling and aggressive work
in the future and for the final triumph Of the
principles to which each and all engaged have
dedicated their lives and sacred honor.
Feeling that fitting recognition Of this
happy achievement should be accorded Thu
y MENACE force, nearly hundred trained and in
telligent young men and women who have stoot
so Loyalty by the staff through sun and storm
the officers of the League planned an entertain
ment for them on the evening of December 26tt
which will remain green in the memory Of eacl
and every one Of them so long as they may live
The feature Of the entertainment was ban
quet in the spacious dining hall Of the Christian
church, the church closest to the office Of Tn
MENACE, prepared by the ladies Of the churcl
and served in elegant STYLE Promptly at 5:3
on the evening of the 26th the League and MEN
ACE stats, and the entire MENACE force, too
their places at the festive board. DR.. Theodor
G. Walker, the gray-haired veteran Of The Men
ACE editorial staff, was master Of ceremonie
and it goes without saying that the crowd wa
happily enlivened at appropriate intervals by b
characteristic good natured humor
Besides the League and MENACE stats an
the entire force, including their immediate fan
lilies, there were present several invited guest
including the mayor Of the city, w. +. Phelp
founder and former owner Of the paper, and
man who has made sacrifices that few men wou
make in order that the movement might snccee
Also several other citizens identified with Il
best social, moral and industrial interests Of y
city.
On the table at which the staff was seated "
q large platter on which rested the mortgal
against The MENACE, the same having Just hs