The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-12-02

How many people on Sunday lex
cept the wives of the firemen) thought
about the many hardships that fire.
men go through with, just for an OPP
portunity to protect our homes and
lives?
Called out to a fire just after the
noon meal on Sunday, most of the
members of the fire company had on
their best clothes. They had no time
to change and the only protection
were the rubber coats picked up at the
fire department house. But these coats
didn't cover the trousers when the
wind began to blow and rain descend
and cause mud to splash. AS result
some suits were utterly ruined. All
required cleaning.
We can't buy them new suits, but at
least we can appreciate what they do
for the town and community when
called upon at any time, day or night.
The presidents tooth has had to
come out. Well, he had pretty tough
chewing on the court reform bill
before he finally had to swallow it
whole.
And now we seem to be in the midst
of a recession" If it was at any
other time the New Dealers would
call it depression"
If 1 remember correctly, and be-
lieve 1 do, then at the time Mayor
Jackson of Baltimore announced him
self for the Democratic nomination
for Governor, he also announced that
he had number of the county COM
mittees backing him-including Gar
rett county.
But what now? They treated May
or Jackson nice-but they will also
treat other candidates nice when they
visit here, so they say. Maybe they'd
better.
4%~
Whence COmeth?
Where did our Christmas tree come
from? Here is one explanation:
The Christmas tree would seem to be
traceable to the Roman feasts of
Saturnus or Saturnalia. 1t is very
probable that the Roman general
Drusus with his conquering legions
first introduced it into the Germanic
countries. 1t is noteworthy that
real Christmas tree with all its deco
rations as pendent toys, sweets and
mannikins is distinctly described by
the famous Latin poet Virgil in his
book Georges"
1t is also an interesting fact to
read that the old Egyptians knew
kind of "holy tree" and that the
ancient Persians worshipped a
lighted tree" Perhaps the Roman
tree has its origin in one of these
two countries. Nobody knows. 1t
is fact, however, that anciently al
most all of the heather nations re-
garded the winter-solstice, which oc-
ours about Christmas time, as a most
important part of the year, as the
beginning of the renewed life, rebirth
and activities of nature and of the
gods. Hence the custom of having
lighted tree as symbol of the sun,
the life-giving element.
Later, following the birth of Christ,
the custom was accepted by Christian
people to celebrate His coming to
earth.
1t is now reported that several more
stately oak trees of the town have
been slated to be cut down, just as
was the one in front of the elementary
school building.
An aroused public may be the only
means of stopping this destructive
ness. Oakland is known for it's beau
tiful trees. Instead of cutting, there
should be more planted on barren
streets. What would north Second
street be like without trees? How
much prettier Third street and num-
Der Of other streets would be if there
were more trees. Let the folks who
delight in seeing beautiful nature see
to it that no other trees are cut with