The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1921-08-19
mn ~

In this day when so much Is OF
ugly passion eliminates in wars,
the story of the Polish patriot,
Paderewski, is inspiring. We of
America have heard his magic
music and we feel that he belongs
to us as we'll as the rest of the
world by right of genius, but the
name of Poland is written on his
heart. The Miami Herald gives
this brief sketch of the patriot
which is worth reading:
To the public vision of Paderewski, the
greatest virtuoso of his day. has succeed
ed the undying figure of Paderewski the
Patriot. In the growing conception OF
the magnitude of his services to his coun-
try the world has all but forgotten the
marvellous fingers that once held CONT
nepts spellbound as he interpreted the
works OF Beethoven, of Chopin, of Rubin
stein, of Mozart and at times of himself.
Certain races have either a deeper-rooted
sense of patriotism than Others or they
have a more eXuberant way of displaying
it. At any rate the French and the Poles
fairly exude patriotism. In this country
our earliest history records the heroic
deeds of a Kosciusko, whose love of free
dom was such that he devoted his life to
aiding the struggle of our infant republic
in its first great fight for independence.
Perhaps it is his name, held in veneration
by all Americans, that makes Americans
instinctively sympathize with Poland's
hot headed and at times misguided de-
termination to establish Polish freedom
so firmly that it must withstand any
shock directed against it.
While Paderewsd was touring this
country, taking back with him to Europe
at times almost million from a seasons
work there were those who related that
he was mercenary and that he had even
insured each finger of his priceless hands
for huge sums of money. But consider
the uses to which the great fortune he
amassed has been put. Every penny
of it has gone to help his country in her
fight for liberty. The man who was a
millionaire is about to sell his large estate
in California to contribute still further
toward the alienation Of distress in Po-
land notwithstanding that he is suffering
still from the bullet of an assassin receiv-
ed while he was premier of Poland, and
that his career as a musician is ended.
This is the apothesis of patriotism. He
reserved nothing for himself, and it must
be a wide humanitarian spirit that is
incapable of seeing Others suffer while he
has it in his power to minister to it.
History shows to us in each era some
great humanitarian whose life is bent, not
on extracting from life every bit of riches
and Joy life can afford, but on unsel6sh
service. What remuneration can be great
er than that of man who, after a life of
wealth amid the plaudits Of mankind.
calmly throws away comfort and luxury
to face penniless old age The playing
of Paderewski was nothing less than in
spired nor will his memory fade any more
than that OF List and Rubenstein and
those other masters who were at once
virtuosi and composers. But longer than
the memory of his wizardy on the eight
ivory octaves will linger the memory of
his self-abnegation and devotion to the
land of his nativity. As the angel said
of Abou Ben Adhem, in love and service
TO his fellow man, "lo, the name Of Abou
Ben Adhem led all the rest" we may say
Of Paderewski, that for single-hearted
service TO the cause Of freedom and for
personal sacrifice, his name leads all the
est.
The Rutland Herald reviews the
case of Pettibone and Mudgett
now at Windsor for horrible crimes
and draws the conclusion that they
are the product of dying towns
and might have been useful citi-
zens if something had been done
for their education, moral, physi-
cal and industrial, a few years ago
instead of making model prisoners
of them now. Says the Herald:
" Instead Of wasting hundreds of
thousands Of dollars among cattle,
we might proftably spend little
in sending missionaries to some of
these dying towns, who, before
they die, seem likely to infect
Others"
With the moving picture and
the photograph, we have reached
a sort of immortality, for future
generations will not have to depend
on pictured faces in oils to see how
the great men Of today looked and
acted, they can get out the historic
reel and watch them 20 through
their parts. Then the photograph /
can be set a-going and they can
listen to their speaking or singing
voices. Caruso sang at his own
memorial services in New York, /
not even the grave could steal |
from the world the wonderful voice 4
of Caruso.
The Burlington Clipper saws
3" Please Drive Reasonably, is
the sign displayed in some places.
Drive Slow or 20 to
JAIL, would be better, and then
enforce it." How would YOU like
the sign we saw the other day.
: Drive slowand see our city, Drive
last and see our jail."