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Published every Thursday by the FrankHn Press
At Franklin, North Carolina
VOL. LXill Number Fifty
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One Week Or 52?
From the mighty oak and the sturdy fnaple
the frost browned leaves have silently fluttered to
the ground. The sun is lazy about rising these
days, and early to bed ; the country takes on a
frost look of mornings. It's winter again.
And only a fortnight away is Christmas.
The children think of Christmas as the time
for Santa Claus, and for being good. To the young
people, the question is: How shall I have a good
time during the holidays? And the older people
already are racking their brains to know what to
get for the children.
These are, of course, all very nice things to
think about. But how many take time to think
of the real meaning of Christmas?
In his poem, "At Christmas", Edgar Guest says
that if he were going to paint a portrait of a
man, he would wait to do it until the Christmas
season. At Christmas, he explains, men are less
selfish than at any other time; at t'hat season,
most men have fought their battles for the year,
and for a brief interval put aside their hates. For
even to those of us who never give a thought to
the meaning of the word, Christmas brings a
transformation of the spirit.
What might it not do to us if we should take
time fully to comprehend its meaning!
And if, during the other 51 weeks in the year,
we carried in our hearts the spirit of Christmas ?
forgetting our petty irritations, and doing all the
little kindly, thoughtful things our hearts prompt
us to do . . .
The Star of Bethlehem would shine in the
East with a brilliance not seen in nineteen hun
dred years, and the quiet and peace of that first
Christmas would reign throughout the year for
us, and ultimately throughout the world.
Beneath The Surfaee
Persons attending last week's interesting dis
trict welfare meeting in Asheville were impressed
with the Welfare officials' grasp of their problems.
Listeners were struck, too, by the reiteration by
the speakers of these ideas:
Private charity is rapidly becoming a thing of
the .past, public charity having taken over, with
taxpayers' morvey paying the bills and trained
case workers doing the work ; furthermore, char
ity is slipping out of the consciousness of indi
viduals, as evidenced by the fact that most citi
zens have only the vaguest ideas of what their
welfare department is doing.
The real answer to many welfare problems ? es
pecially those relating to children, and therefore
to the welfare problem of the future ? lies not in
organized charity", but in the home.
The major concern of society must become not
so much the relief of individual cases as finding
the means for reducing the welfare "load"; yet
a large share of that "load" is created by the
economic system under which we live.
* * ?
Few of us wish to go back to conditions as
they were before 1932; most of us recognize that
Jpublic charity is far more efficient than private,
and much more likely to get around to all.
But two questions inevitably arise:
The first deals with welfare work itself. The
thought occurs that the dictum, "It is more blessed
to give than to receive", was not spoken of the
act of writing an income tax check, a part of
which would be used in welfare work; it ob
viously referred to personal relationships. If we
lose that blessing, we shall have .paid a terrible
price for efficiency and thoroughness.
The question, then, arises: Isn't there some way
that organized charity can use, and thus keep
alive, the individml'i sympathetic desire to help i
f . V ^
an unfortunate- fellow?
1 The second question probes deeper.
Most of our welfare "load" U caused either by
the failure of individuals or by what the kind of
civilization we live in does to individuals. If that be
true, then the real solution is not more welfare
funds ? though more money for welfare work is
badly needed, of course, in the meantime ? but
homes that will turn out citizens better fitted to
meet life's problems, and a civilization that is a
little less futile.
And perhaps the real trouble lies with the latter.
We live under an economic system, for example,
that ignores the basic fact that every individual,
of whatever age, unless he is physically or men
tally sick, is of some us*. Our system automati
cally discards people at a fixed age. And what
about an economic system that makes it neces
sary for an ever-increasing number of mothers to
work outside their homes?
And when a civilization, such as we have in
America, is characterized by more and more men
tal illness, more and more divorce, and more and
more juvenile delinquency, isn't it time we recog
nized that something is basically wrong?
We must have our welfare work, to be sure.
But does it ? can it ? get at the root of the trouble?
Gertrude DiB? McKee
(Contributed by U-? Bcv. L. a Hayes)
The mountains have seemed unusually cold and
bleak today. Their gaunt ribs of rock stand out
like the broken hulls of great ships. There has
been much rain, as if the skies were adding their
tears to the general weeping of the people, for it
was a sad Sunday that announced the passing of
Gertrude Dills McKee. The mountains seemed to
mourn the going away of their queenly daughter
from their valleys where she grew to girlhood
and leadership among all the highland folk.
Then more lately, but with undoubted grace
and distinction, she became a champion of good
causes in the state senate ? a wise counselor in
the public welfare.
Also added to the seeming sadness on the earth,
I saw a bright star fall an hour ago, shooting
down over the top of Rogers Hill here in Macon,
and burn itself out with celestial energy across a
dark sky. This, too, suggested the brilliant mind
and the willing spirit of Dr. McKee, whose heart
gave way and broke under the drive of her active
soul. However, she had a lovely, dignified funeral
at Sylva in her beloved church, which was filled
with flowers and overfilled with friends.
The grief was restrained even in her affection
ate family and one could say. "There is nothing
here for tears", since she had lived so joyfully
and served so well. Such radiant living can not
die, and as the miles rolled back under the wheels
we meditated on her domestic virtues, sincere
friendliness, and public record. It was mainly a
blithsome spirit, a laughing, happy lady that filled
our memory and made us grateful that God gives
a few such rare persons to each generation to
save it from sourness and cynicism. Who can
forget her laughter and her kind wit? And wliat
preacher has failed to be inspired by her close
attention? Dorcas does not surpass her in good
deeds and, like Mary? she sat enrapped at the feet
of her Master. This generation will not pass with
out a thousand personal tributes to her merit,
and her influence will abide in the stream of 'life
as constantly as these rivers run to the seas.
For her and for you, Lyndon McKee, I pass
on this which I think is on the gravestone of
John Charles McNeill. It has been ringing in my
mind all day.
"Hills wrapped in gray standing along the west,
Clouds dimly lighted gathering slowly,
The star of peace at rest above the crest,
O, Holy, Holy, Holy.
We know, O Lord, so little what is best,
Wingless we move so lowly ;
In Thy calm all-knowledge let us rest,
O, Holy, Holy, Holy."
The Pot And The KettU
Reporting the South's only 1948 lynching, Time
magazine opens its account of the slaying of
Negro Robert Mallard thus:
i i
"In Georgia's Toombs county, deep in the dark
land of white supremacy ...
This from a publication that lists as one of its
senior editors the name of Whittaker Chambers,
a self-confessed former member of the Commu
nist underground in this country!
Didn't somebody say something once about peo
ple who live in glass houses? And, oh yes, isn|t
there an old saying about the pot calling the
kettle black?
"Army Revises Attitude Toward Men In Ranks",
says a headline.
But have the men in the ranks revised their at
titude toward the army ? -
LETTERS
AMAZED AT LETTER
Editor, The Press:
I was rather amused arid amazed at Mr. Lester Waldroop's
letter about ' the range vs. the Forest Service.
I do not know Mr. Waldroop and have never ranged a
"critter In them thar hills". Yea. verily, I would say that
neither my own father nor either of my grandpappjs ever
chased a cow to or from the public domain. So I am un
biased on the subject.
Now It strikes me that If a pore critter had to hunt
around over 30 acres (according to Mr. Waldroop) to get
fairly full, that they would run their fat off between niouth
fuls.
Why, It is a downright miracle that we In this com
munity have not starved to death, since we have never had
access to forest land grazing. Vet I know a man who lived
In a log house for a long time, who had a rather large
family.. To date three of their children have graduated from
high school, one from college, and another is about half
through so far. They have produced three reserve champion
calves and one grand champion, as well as several others
that placed well In the shows. Believe It or not, not a
single <n< ol these calves got off to a flying start In the
woods. I can show you another man who gfazee| six dairy
cows on three acres.
As a matter of fact, we graze 18 to 18 head on 25 acres. j
We also have one acre of hog lot where we grazed four dairj
cows every night for two months this past summer.
There is also a farm out this way where cne acre of co
produced 185 bushels; another, 150; one, 138; and one,
Sure It "cost a plenty" to produce corn like that and p|
ture like that. "
We are even Ignorant enough to grow hogs out to 200
240 pounds at six months of age without ever eating
acorn. They Uke blue grass and corn better, you might
believe It, but one of the three Grade A dairymen in til
community (he takes In about $1,100 per month) makes
effort to run his cows In the woods.
Your astonished reader,
CHARLES J. FERGJj
Franklin, Route 4,
November 27, 1948.
HAS MACON KEPT PACE?
V
Dear Editor:
After having read your editorial last week concerning Mr.
Bromfleld's opinion on the growth of the South, and es
pecially North Carolina, I have been wondering Just how
much Macon County has Improved. Has this county kept
pace with the rest of the state?
It seems to me that Macon County is rather slow, in some
ways. Mr. Bromfield says that the state has improved cul
turally, which I believe it has, but has Macon County? We
have tried; that Is granted. But have we really done any
thing?
One of the things present In a well-rounded cultural life
is good music. How much music do we have? There is a
juke box hi most places, it is true. But is that the kind of
music our young people should be learning to enjoy? I be
lieve that we are not keeping pace, or we would have music
taught in the schools, and we would not have so much
trouble raising enough money to bring the Little Symphony
Orchestra here to play for the people of Macon County.
Another place where this county, I believe, is rather slow
Is in the appreciation of art. How much do the people of
Macon County know about the painters of old, or those of
modern times?
If the younger people are not given a chance to express
themselves, how are we to know if we have among us an
other Michael Angelo or Mendelssohn?
D. C. CARR
Franklin, N. C.
December 3, 1948.
POETRY CORNER
Conducted by
EDITH DEADERICK ERSKINE
Weavervllle, N. C.
Sponsored by AthevilU Branch, National League of American Pen Women
DAY OF PEACE
Through lands of earth the hearts beseech
That valiant spirits clearly teach
Futility of wars of men.
The sun and stars have lit one page
Of heaven's book whose phrases pen
That peoples here should curb their rage,
That love Is waiting for our use
Forever here, white flames of truce.
EDITH DEADERICK ERSKINE
Weavervllte, tr. C.
Uttifc AMEER'
ADMINISTRATOR'S NOTICE
Having qualified as adminis
trator of Robert P. Sanders, de
ceased, late at Macon County,
N. C., this is to notify all per
sons having claims against the
estate of said deceased to ex
hibit thert to the undersigned
on or before the It day of
November, 1049 or this notice
win be plead la bar of their re
covery. All persons Indebted to
Said estate will please make Im
mediate settlement.
This It day of November, 1948.
EDMOND SANDERS
Administrator
N15 ? 5tp ? ltc ? DM
State or north Carolina,
COUNTY OP MACON.
MACON COUNTY, Plaintiff.
VS.
SALLY LEDFORD and
hinfeand MACK LEDFORD,
BD OUY and wife
OUY, and IKK OUY,
Defendant*.
NOTICE OF SALE
Under and by virtue of a de
cree of the Superior Court of
Macon County entered In the
above entitled action on the
8 day of November, 1948, the
nnderalgned Commleeloner will
on the 10 day of Deoember,
1M8, at 13 o'clock, noon, at
the Court houie door In Macon
Oountir, North Carolina, M}1 to
the highest bidder for caah the
following described real estate:
Beginning at a poplar at
the spring tad runs BMW
N pott* to ft Urp> white oak;
Hi
W ? Are Flattered
That So Many
Imitations Have
Appeared On Tha
Market
Whan You Want
Ham Insurance
Be Sure With
Chembert' Anti
Skipper Compound
N. J. BODDIE
Tht Him InnrtoM
Mu
?OX 4*1
DURHAM. N.
then B 2 W 18 pole# to a
?take in the old Angel line;
then N 88 I 36 pole* to a
chestnut; then 18 pole* to
the beginning, containing 18
acre*, more or leas; being
the land conveyed to Anna
Oujr by Rhoda Thomas In
deed doted October 38, 1930,
and registered In the office
of the Register of Deeds for
Macon County, in Book U-4
at Deads, page 474.
This, the 9 day of November,
1948.
R. S. JONES
Commissioner.
N18 ? 4tc ? JJ? D9