The Once and Future Soviet Union

   Vladimir Putin's hero is the bloodthirsty tyrant Josef Stalin.  Estase has argued for some time that the current Russian state is marking time until its population have forgotten the U.S.S.R., and will then resume its role as a Communist/totalitarian state.  Russia's closest strategic partner is Communist China, and its role as a bolster to the failed regime of Nicholas Maduro in Venezuela shows that Russia is still a Communist state at heart.
       With these things said, it's hard to understand why the American left is hysterical about Vladimir Putin.  Shouldn't Sean Penn be hanging out with him or something?

She Guevara

       There was a time when realism was a valued trait in politics.  The worst thing you could accuse a politician of was of having utopian dreams.
       Of course, the ultimate utopians were Karl Marx, and his disciple Vladimir Lenin.  The utopianism of Marx and Lenin led to the violence of Beria and Che Guevara.
       Those who were born after 1991 forget the horrors of Communism, mistaking Che Guevara for a hero.  Thus, Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez becomes the darling of the extreme left.  Every American could be given a Ferrari for the cost of her insane Green New Deal.  She Guevara derides moderation as a basic concept, showing that today's Democratic Party is one where the Girondins have been purged by the Jacobins.

Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents

       The conservative movement used to have really pure ideas about the limited powers of the Presidency.  Then it embraced someone who idolized dictators and strongmen, and things went out the window.

There are several points of comparison between the pissed off British electorate of 1770 that inspired Edmund Burke's Thoughts on the Cause of the Present Discontents and the segment of the American public who find Citizen Kane attractive.   The British rogue John Wilkes was the Donald Trump of his day.  His damning sin was bucking the Earl of Bute, but what he was denied Parliament for was his insult to George III in North Briton #45.  The first time Wilkes was denied his seat, the Middlesex electors were at least allowed to elect a replacement.  The second time, the ministry named a Colonel Luttrell to fill Wilkes' spot.

        The grievances of the British in 1770 were the weak legislature caused by an intrusive executive power (namely, Lord Bute and the court faction), the fact that competent leaders were unwilling to enter office because of the undermining of ministries (as happened with Pitt the elder and Lord Rockingham), and a public feeling that the executive was overwhelming the legislature.

       The grievances of the Trump faction today are similar.  They include a pushover Congress that does everything the President asks, Congressional leaders who are scapegoats for executive programs, and a public uninterested in empowering Congress.

       The problem with the backers of Citizen Kane is that they want to deal with an emasculated Congress, not by restoring to proper functions of Congress (e.g. by returning to actual budgets, rather than continuing resolutions;  an end to finances being designed in the White House), but by replacing one autocratic President with another autocratic President. . . .Virtually no position Trump takes is based on facts, reflection or experience.  Limited government and constitutionalism are meaningless to him.  All Trump promises to be is a different type of autocrat. . . .So, unlike the British in 1770, there exists today in America discontent, but a strange, incoherent discontent that aims to remedy a disorder by the same disorder.

       Estase wrote that on his old blog Q.E.D. before the election, and unfortunately, events have proceeded accordingly.  Orange Blatheskite has relied on Presidential Decrees and National Emergencies to achieve what he cannot by legitimate means.   

 

 

 

Pot, Meet Kettle!

       The People's Republic of Illinois at work.  The above was mailed out in a piece of mail from the Secretary of State's office.  Political propaganda mailed out at taxpayer expense.  Estase isn't positive, but he believes that Ameren is actually a nonprofit--previously known as CIPS.
       At any rate, it's just rich for the State of Killinois to complain about utility rates, seeing as how the General Assembly never tires of imposing new taxes to fritter away on whatever nonsense they think up.

Is American Politics Mere Entertainment?

          NBA referee Tim Donaghy apparently called excessive fouls to throw basketball games in favor of teams that he and his pals were betting on.  Donaghy defends himself by claiming that the NBA isn't real basketball, like college teams play.
           The idea that pro basketball is as real as pro wrestling might not sit so well with many, but has it ever occurred to many Americans that their political system is a fixed game?
           The Court of King's Bench (AKA the Praetors) are supposed to be the referees of the American government.  Ever since the 30s, their role has become that of a super-legislature, achieving through their dictate what Congress cannot do.  On everything from the unceasing ability of the Federal government to tax and regulate (Wickard v. Filburn) to striking down legitimate laws the States made concerning abortion, King's Bench does far more than tell the law.   The Federal Judiciary in general is the proudest bastion of the American left.
       In light of Tim Donaghy calling fouls to throw games, his claims that his actions don't matter because the NBA is entertainment, and not a real game, and the unnerving similarity between King's Bench and the way Donaghy officiated basketball games, one comes to a sobering conclusion.  Is American politics a real competition, or just entertainment?

The New Frontiers of Choice

Swift Condemns Walpole

       "I told him, that a First or Chief Minister of State, whom I intended to describe, was a Creature wholly exempt from Joy and Grief, Love and Hatred, Pity and Anger;  at least makes use of no other Passions but a violent Desire of Wealth, Power and Titles:  That he applies his Words to all Uses, except to the Indication of his Mind;  That he never tells a Truth, but with an Intent that you should take it for a Lye;  nor a Lye, but with a Design that you should take it for a Truth;  That those he speaks worst of behind their Backs, are in the surest way to Preferment;  and whenever he begins to praise you to others or to your self, you are from that Day forlorn.  The worst Mark you can receive is a Promise, especially when it is confirmed with an Oath;  after which every wise Man retires, and gives over all Hopes.
      There are three Methods by which a Man may rise to be Chief Minister:  The first is, by knowing with Prudence to dispose of a Wife, a Daughter, or a Sister:  The second, by betraying or undermining his Predecessor:  And the third is, by a furious Zeal in publick Assemblies against the Corruptions of the Court.  But a wise Prince would rather chuse to employ those who practise the last of these Methods;  because such Zealots prove always the most obsequious and subservient to the Will and Passions of their Master.  That, these Ministers having all Employments at their Disposal, preserve themselves in Power by bribing the Majority of a Senate or great Council;  and at last by an Expedient called an Act of Indemnity (whereof I described the Nature to him) they secure themselves from After-reckonings, and retire from the Publick, laden with the Spoils of the Nation.
       The Palace of a Chief Minister, is a Seminary to breed up others in his own Trade:  The Pages, Lacquies, and Porter, by imitating their Master, become Ministers of State in their several Districts, and learn to excel in the three principal Ingredients, of Insolence, Lying, and Bribery.  Accordingly, they have a Subaltern Court paid to them by Persons of the best Rank;  and sometimes by the Force of Dexterity and Impudence, arrive through several Gradations to be Successors to their Lord.
       He is usually governed by a decayed Wench, or favourite Footman, who are the Tunnels through which all Graces are conveyed, and may properly be called, in the last Resort, the Governors of the Kingdom.
       One Day, my Master, having heard me mention the Nobility of my Country, was pleased to make me a Compliment which I could not pretend to deserve:  That, he was sure, I must have been born of some Noble Family, because I far exceeded in Shape, Colour, and Cleanliness, all the Yahoos of his Nation, although I seemed to fail in Strength, an Agility, which must be imputed to my different Way of Living  from those other Brutes;  and besides, I was not only endowed with the Faculty of Speech, but likewise with some Rudiments of Reason, to a Degree, that with all his Acquaintance I passed for a Prodigy.


     . . . .That, our young Noblemen are bred from their Childhood in Idleness and Luxury;  that, as soon as Years will permit, they consume their Vigour, and contract odious Diseases among lewd Females;  and when their Fortunes are almost ruined, they marry some Woman of mean Birth, disagreeable Person, and unsound Constitution, merely for the sake of Money, whom they hate and despise.  That, the Productions of such Marriages are generally scrophulous, rickety or deformed Children;  by which Means the Family seldom continues above three Generations, unless the Wife take Care to provide a healthy Father among her Neighbours, or Domesticks, in order to improve and continue the Breed.  That, a weak diseased Body, a meager Countenance, and sallow Complexion, are the true Marks of noble Blood,  and a healthy robust Appearance is so disgraceful in a Man of Quality, that the World concludes his real Father to have been a Groom or a Coachman.  The Imperfections of his Mind run parallel with those of his Body;  being a Composition of Spleen, Dulness, Ignorance, Caprice, Sensuality and Pride." 
                                       Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, Part IV, Chapter Six

Military Tract Civil War Reunion in Quincy (ca. 1917)

       "The annual reunion of six regiments who served in the Union army and that were largely made up in the Military Tract territory of the state {ed.- Illinois}, closed a two days' session at Quincy on Thursday of this week.  Those regiments were the 16th, 28th, 50th, 78th and 137th Illinois Infantry and the Third Missouri Cavalry--the majority of which was raised on this side of the Mississippi river on the border towns and counties on the west shore of the 'Father of Waters.'
       The reunion closed was similar to those of former years (these associations having held them annually and somewhat jointly in the last dozen or more consecutive years).  That is, the regiments met at the places assigned them on Wednesday forenoon, where they registered and during the day held their regimental reunions.  The reported enrollments for each regiment was:  16th Ill., 30;  28th Ill., 15;  50th Ill., 28;  78th Ill., 42;  137th Ill., 22;  3d Missouri cavalry, 27.
       On the afternoon of Wednesday, at 4:30, veterans to the number of about 100 formed into line for the parade.  From the Quincy Whig, the {Macomb} Journal gives the following account of the parade and camp fire:

       Headed by the marshals on horseback, the parade started at 4:45 o'clock.  Members of John Wood Post G.A.R. followed and after them the veterans of the six regiments.  Boy Scouts brought up the rear.  A fife and drum corps played merry tunes for the soldiers to march by.  It was a short parade, east to Sixth Street, a turn to Hampshire, and back to Fourth and Hampshire, and south on Fourth street to Jersey and the banquet in the Masonic Temple, prepared by the women of the John Wood Post.
       With hearts as high as they possessed when marching through Quincy streets fifty-six years ago, but with wearied limbs, that refused to move as briskly, the veterans followed the fife and drum.  Little wonder that the feet were weary.  They were feet that marched with Sherman to the sea and the voices that made little stir in this parade once sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic through Georgia and the Carolinas.
       The event of the two days' gathering was the banquet and camp fire in Masonic Temple Wednesday night.  The dinner prepared by the wives and daughters of soldiers was toothsome and well-cooked--far different from the meals that the soldiers fought on in the 60s and when the dinner was ended they were privileged to gather in the auditorium secure in the knowledge that no wild battle alarm would come to break in on their pleasure.
       Mrs. Rome Arnold opened the camp fire entertainment in the auditorium of the Temple by singing the "Red, White and Blue."  Music was rendered by the Dickson orchestra.  While the audience stood, "America" was sung in chorus.  Rev. George A. Buttrick pronounced the invocation.
       Captain R.C. Turner, chairman of the meeting, then gave a most interesting short description of the war record and activities of each one of the six regiments.  He was followed by E.H. Osborn, who told a war story and a musical accompaniment.  He related how a Confederate surprise attack on troops in Virginia was halted by hearing a Union sentry sing "Jesus, Lover of my Soul."  During pauses in the narrative, John Dixson sang the old hymn.
       Captain John Andrew told some facts about the Soldiers' Home and at the conclusion of the program Charles Hubert called on survivors of different southern battlefields to rise.  Mrs. Arnold, in flag drapery, sang the "Star Spangled Banner" with the audience joining in the song.
       John E. Wall made the address of the evening.  He told of the heroism of the soldiers, the greatest soldiers of the greatest war in history previous to 1914, he said.  He concluded his eloquent talk with the poem, "God and Our Flag," a dramatic end to a dramatic speech.
       The writer of this, being secretary of the Sixteenth Illinois, kept the following account of the proceedings  at that association's regimental reunion that is here given:
       The regiment's registration was in a room in the Soldiers' Home Headquarters' office, it being occupied jointly by the 16th and 28th Illinois.
       The forenoon was spent in registration, delivering badges, and social talk among the comrades.  Captain Andrews, superintendent of the Home, kindly saw that the members attending both the 16th and 28th reunion were provided with their dinner, so they did not have to go down into the city for dinner.  
        At 1 o'clock p.m., the 16th attendants were called to order by Captain W.H. Gay of Rockport, Pike County, president of the association.  Minutes of the meeting a year ago were read and approved.  
       Letters were read from the following comrades who could not be present:
       Lieutenant John V. Mason,  Co. A., 1623 Genessee Street, Kansas City, Mo.
       E. Ament, Co. B., 544 Morse Avenue, Rogers Park, Chicago.
       Gordon Kimball, Co. D, Box 1132, Ouray, Colo.
       Don C. Salisbury, Co. C, Ferris, Hancock Co., Ill.
       E.F. Currier, Co. G, Box 85, Garnet, Kan.
       John H. Cannon, Co. E, Box 66, Oglalla , Neb.
       Snyder D. Freeland, Co. I, Retell, Wash.
       Mrs. Charles S. Smith, widow of C.S. Smith, Co. F. , Corinth, Miss.
       Thomas May, Co. I, Clayton Ill.
        Russell T. Stokes, 10 Mo. (but "crony of the 16th boys") 1123 Quindaro Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.
        E.W. Mathwson, 10th Ill., Kingston, N.Y.
                                           Death Roll.
       The following are those who have died since last report, most of them within the past year:
        Lieutenant H.W. Gash, Co. A, Macomb Ill., died at the Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
        James M. Welch, Co. D, died at his home in Quincy.
        H.C. O' Neil, Co. E, Ripley.
        Thomas C. McGrath, Co. G, Doddsville, Ill.
        William G. Pershing, Co. I, Oquawka, Ill.
         E.J. Freeman, Co. A, Audobon, Iowa.
       A resolution was passed, extending thanks of the regimental association to Captain Andrews, superintendent of the Soldiers' Home at Quincy, for courtesies and kindness extended to the various members present at the meeting.  The secretary was instructed to send the Captain a copy of the Resolution.
                                           Those in Attendance.
                                            Company A.
       W.H. Hainline, Macomb, Ill.
        John E. Lane, Macomb, Ill.
       James W. Kendrick, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
                                            Company B.
       Samuel Manhollan, Camp Point, Ill.
        Lieutenant George W. McAllister, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
                                            Company C.
        D.M. Sapp, Plymouth Ill.
         Amos Scott, Macomb, Ill.
        George Yenter, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
                                            Company D.
        Timothy P. Ricker, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
                                             Company E.
        George E. Trabue, Camp Point, Ill.
         Seymore A. Rolley, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
         G. W. Petrie, 310 N. 27 th Street, Quincy.
          Thomas A. Lewis, Benville, Pike County, Ill.
                                              Company F.
         James E. Pence, Oqawka, Ill.
          J.W. Cunningham, LaHarpe, Ill.
          A.M. Smith, Iowa City, Ia.
          M.D. Folsom, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
           H.D. Garrity, Biggsville, Ill.
                                             Company G.
          E.D. Nokes, La Grange, Ill.
          W.M. Stilby, Breckenridge, Mo.
           Charles Abbott, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
           John L. Omer, Clayton, Ill.
                                             Company H.
          George Davis, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
          George Oberling, " "
                                              Company L.
           R.M. Thomas, Centralia, Mo.
           M. Canfield, Soldiers' Home, Quincy.
           David McClansland, Warsaw Ill.
                                             Company K.
            W.H. Gay, Rockport, Ill.
             Ira O. Gray, Centralia, Mo.
            Asa D. Baker, Louisiana, Mo.
            Invited guests were:
            George W. Reid, Capt. 54th Ill., Macomb, Ill.
             James E. Wilson, Macomb, Ill. son of Samuel Wilson, lieutenant colonel of the regiment.  Mr. Wilson (guest) also had two brothers and two brothers-in-law in the regiment; was too young to go himself.
             Robert Thomas, Macomb, Ill., ex-Sheriff of McDonough County, who served in an Illinois regiment.
             Mrs. W.H. Hainline
             Mrs. Samuel Manhollan
             Mrs. W.H. Gay
             Mrs. D.M. Sapp
              Mrs H.O. Garrity
             Mrs H.B. Volk, widow of H. B. Volk, current librarian at the Home.
              Mrs. P.H. Delaney, widow of regimental hospital steward.
              Mrs. H.W. Gash, widow of Lieutenant H.W. Gash.

Macomb Daily Journal, 18 OCT 1917

Macomb Daily Journal on Lawrence Y. Sherman

       "Judge Sherman is the sort of man that we wish we had more of.  While he does not feel that he is obliged to be in violent accord with everything the president {Wilson} says, or may say, and being in his position of United States Senator he claims his full privilege of all the rights accorded to the members of the national legislature guaranteed by the Con-stitution, and exercises the rights he claims, yet he is firmly loyal to the government, just as interested in the prosecution of the war {WW I}, and equally as anxious for its successful conclusion as any man in Washington today, or in the United States for that matter.  Not only does he favor those conditions above mentioned, but he works assiduously along the lines that he believes are most conducive to their success.  Because of the fact that he has not been of that class of congressman who are in favor of passing a blank paper bill, with a heading providing that the president and his cabinet fill in the white paper passed what they want, he has been called by some of that class 'an obstructionist,' and sometimes even a 'slacker.'  If these gentlemen had the courage of their convictions, as has Sherman;  if they would look into measures they are asked to pass upon--indeed, their desired action outlined in the bill or message connected with it--it would be much better for the country.  While Sherman has under his constitutional rights investigated and discussed the merits of bills before the congress, he has opposed but two of the important measures that became a law--the conscription bill and the food conservation bill, passed with a whole aim to making Hoover arbiter and even dictator in all food matters as to supply, prices, and even to making him autocrat of the private tables as he sees fit.  On the first measure, Judge Sherman, while just as eager to raise a large army as anyone, he believed in the volunteer system and labored to continue this time-honored and always successful plan in the United States.  He opposed the conservation bill because he believed it gave entirely too drastic powers to place in the hands of any one man.  Both bills were passed, and our senator is for the enforcement of both, just as much as he is for the enforcement of the laws that he most earnestly advocated.  In a word, Judge Sherman is the lawabiding man.  He will vote against a measure if in his opinion it is not for the best public policy.  But when it makes its place in the statutes, he is for the law's carrying out.  Nor does he take favors or 'sops' to keep him 'hitched,' as is the case with some self-presumed important persons, who are prone to rate the Illinois Republican Senator as 'opponent of the administration,' and yet they have to be kept on the payroll to have themselves and followers in line and 'loyal.' "

What Have You Done for Me Lately?

       The election had results nationally and in Killinois that were in some ways entirely predictable.  Both nationally and locally, Republican chances were hurt by Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner being self-absorbed, and not caring about the consequences of their behavior.
       America's Hill of Offense is its thriving abortion industry.  That industry was aided by Illinois' King Solomon, Bruce Rauner, through the signing of House Bill 40, which created taxpayer-funded abortion in Illinois.  Governor Rauner has been a corrupting influence on the Illinois Republican Party since the day he was elected.  Many representatives and state senators have been forced to make Faustian bargains to stay in Rauner's good graces.  Rauner's personal wealth has made up for the decreased contributions by the bewildered and betrayed Republican voters.
       Once the base of the Republican party was abandoned by Sci-Fi Bruce Rauner, J.B. Pritzker made short work of him, and the effect was felt throughout the Republican party in Illinois.  Similarly, the self-absorbed Orange Blatherskite hurt Republican candidates, while making this election all about him.  In Paul O'Keefe's biography of Wyndham Lewis (Some Sort of Genius) , Wyndham Lewis is quoted as telling Dick Wyndham, "People are only friends in so much that they are of use to you."  Insolently thinking of himself as the personification of the Republican Party (an illusion reinforced daily on Fox News), Trump gloated about the defeat of great candidates like Mia Love from Utah, saying that the lack of adulation from them somehow made them undeserving of victory.  Illinois congressman Peter Roskam also suffered from the toxic overflow of Trumpian egotism.  Orange Blatherskite is a user in the same vein as Wyndham Lewis.  People are tools for Trump.
        With Trump's lack of loyalty and chronic self-centeredness, it only makes sense that Attorney General Jeff Sessions was let go in favor of a malleable cipher who will do only Trump's bidding.  This obvious attempt to kill the Mueller Investigation will probably not meet with Senate approval.   And Republicans need to get used to saying "Speaker Pelosi" again.  So much winning!

History of Old St. Paul's Catholic Church, Macomb, Ill.

       "The Catholic church on West Jackson street is no more.  Workmen have torn it asunder to make room for the new modern brick edifice.  It had served the congregation for 75 years and time has claimed its toll.  While the new structure will be a big advance in modern arrangement and equipment, and a pride to those that worship there, a few kindly reminiscences of old friends now passed to their reward, who were at one time the earnest worshipers in the old church will not be amiss.
       The church was organized in 1854 by Rev. Father O'Neill with these original members--Frank McSperritt and family, Joseph Riley and family, Terence and Patrick McGinnis, Peter Crawford, Patrick Laughlin, Francis Campbell and Michael McGann.  Services were held at the home of Frank McSperritt, where Peter Sullivan recalled later Rev. O'Neill lead them for four years when Father Browning came and was instrumental in purchasing the lots on West Jackson street that now belong to the church.  Rev. James F. Morgan succeeded him, staying here two years.  Then Rev. Logan came and was followed by Rev. James Tuohy and so forth up to the present time, one succeeding the other until Rev. Ryan who has been here { ?} years and we have the new church built under his charge  They remembered the above facts which are in the minds of the older residents in the area.  Father Ryan of advanced age has resided in the existing house on the corner some 40 years ago before the present parsonage or parish school were built. Members dear  and people who worshiped there and were all property owners in the west part of the city.  Kindly old mothers who humored and fed the children who gathered to watch their children play of evenings in what is now Charles street between Carroll and Calhoun, but was then called Merrigan's Green.  
       Most of them were mothers of large families and a most aware one was widowed long before they died. There was Grandma Hoing who helped the sick.  Mrs. Warren who pitied the puzzled child, Mrs. Dergan, Mrs. Brazzil, Mrs. Murphy, Mrs. Sullivan, Mrs. Donovan, Mrs. Royer, Mrs. Rouse, Mrs. Haggerty and over the creek the Krazzers,  Marx and Callahans.  
        These were among the childhood friends all gone.  The bell rang in the old church steeple last Sunday for the last time and the thought came of how many times it had called these and their children to worship and as one psyche were brought to the church for the burial service.  Tolled so sadly in the children's ears reminding all that time here is but fleeting."

Macomb Daily Journal, 7 JUL 1925

The Clintons

      The Clintons, being New York's sixth crime family, are part of a small group of people who have managed to become rich by talking about how much they hate rich people.  In that vein, Estase offers the lyrics to the techo hit "Peace & Love Inc." by Information Society.

Look at the world, it's a complicated place/And it's hard to keep the pace/You've got to wear a smiling face/But what we've got is a blue-light special on truth/It's the hottest thing with the youth/You've got nerves we need to soothe/If you've got to believe in something/Believe in us we make it easy/Peace & Love, Inc./Shop around/ See if you don't agree/We think it fits you to a "T"/And the best part is it's free/  I believe we got the market cornered this time/We can make you feel fine/It could impact your bottom line/If you've got to belong to something/Belong to us we'll make you PC/ Peace & Love, Inc./Peace & Love, it's the newest cause by far/ And we've got all the biggest stars/Get your politics up to par/Welcome. . . .to Peace & Love Inc.

The thing Estase loves about this song is the way it captures the commercialization of 60s values.  Kind of like the Clinton Foundation?

Alex Holmes on St. Paul's Catholic Church, Macomb Ill.

MAY USE DEADLY POISON GAS IN WAR ON BANDITS

Indianapolis--General use of deadly poison gas in the war on Indiana bank bandits appeared probable today as a result of the unsuccessful attempt of yeggs to rob the Elnora State Bank.  Bandits who broke open the bank vault were driven away by Lewisite gas released when the combination on the safe was smashed.  The gas was contained in small glass tubes concealed in the safe.  A number of banks in the state are already equipped with the anti-burglar gas device and officials of the Indiana Bankers' Association believe it will be generally adopted.  Lewisite was the most deadly gas invented during the World War.

       "I was living on West Carroll street, just north of the church, from October, 1853, until April, 1857.  James Riggins lived in the house on the corner, east of the church, in 1854.  William Harker lived there in 1855.  He was a partner of my father in the carpenter business.
        The Catholic people bought this property near that time.  The old house on the corner was a long, one-story frame house with an ell at the east end running off to the south.  The east and south part was used for parsonage and the west end for church purposes.  I did quite a lot of work on it when Father Ryan had charge of the church.  My dealings were with him and I found him a very genial gentleman in business and socially.  I have been with him in the parsonage and he has been in my home.  There was a hip on the northeast corner.  I did away with that and put a gable on the east end of the main building.  I reroofed it.  The valley on the southwest was copper and as good as new.  I do not know how long ago it was, but over 40 years ago, as I quit the trade when 40.
       I could tell the exact time and what I got for the work, as I have kept a diary for 58 years and could tell every day's work I have done, as I always stated what I was doing each day.
       Before I came to Macomb, which will be 78 years this fall, services were held at Frank McSperritt's, which afterward was the home of Peter Sullivan, his son Timothy living there now. I remember many of the members of 50 to 70 years ago.  In the country were Patrick McGinnis, Peter Crowford, Frank McSperritt, Michael Callahan, James Manning Sr., Patrick Laughlin, John Quinn, John Scott, John Feeney, Michael McGann, Peter Sullivan, Daniel Doran, and James Roark.
       Mr. Roark is well represented by boys and girls in Bushnell and Macomb--doctor, druggist, editor, clothing merchants and trained nurses.
       Here are some of the city:  Terrence McGinnis, Patrick Tiernan Sr., Richard Tobin, the Murphy family, Mrs. Westman, Mrs. Corrigan, Mrs. Rouse, Matthew and James Guiday, Michael Dougherty, Michael Dorgan, the Donovan family, John and Hugh McNamera, Brazzil family, Comer family, McGuire family, James McGunn, the Michael Warren family, and John Simmons.  In giving names of individuals the family is generally included.  No doubt there were members that I did not know.  I also fail to recall some that I knew.  
       A large per cent of the present membership is composed of the descendants of those I have named.  No doubt the church has a record of when the church was built and dedicated, but so many of the outsiders have been guessing, so I thought I would settle that query.
        Rev. J.C. Rybolt, pastor of the M.E. church of Macomb, Ill. united Miss Martha M. Sosman and I in matrimony June 20th, 1867.  She was a member of that church from childhood.  I attended church there with my wife until nine years later, when I united with the church.
       On Sunday, Aug. 11, 1867, Rev. Rybolt was sick and there was no services, morning or evening, so I went over to the consecration or dedication of the new Catholic church.  This is not memory, but a record.  Of the membership of the church at the time of its dedication there are only a very few now living.  I do not know who conducted the consecration ceremony, as I made no record:  it would be only a memory.  I knew many who had charge of this church:  Father Albright was among the earliest I now remember, I could not name those I remember in order and will not try.
       Loyalty is a virtue admired by all good men and women, loyalty to God, to your family, your church, your country, your friends, your school, and to any society to which you may belong.  I am sorry to see exhibitions of disloyalty to all these various positions in life.  I have lived long enough to see that there are good and bad in all churches, families, parties, and among our citizens generally.  I do admire the Catholic people for their reverence in the house of God and for their loyalty to their church."--Alex Holmes

Make Free Trade Great Again

       "It is only the coward's policy to kneel down in the dust, and wail, and confess inferiority, as regards the producers of other nations.  Take up the challenge bravely, from whatever quarter it comes;  improve method and process and machinery-- above all improve the relations between capital and labor;  on that, more perhaps than on anything else, industrial victory depends.  Be willing to learn from all, of any country, who have anything useful to teach.  Never be tempted to build Chinese walls for your protection, and to go indolently to sleep behind them.  Your system of free trade is another great world trust placed in your hands.  You stand before all nations holding a bright and shining light, that if you are true to the great destiny of our country you will never allow to be dimmed or extinguished.  Mr. Cobden spoke the truth when he said that you would convert the other nations to your own brave way of competition;  only he did not allow enough for all the reactionary influences, the narrow unenlightened so-called patriotism, the timidities of some traders and their desire to take their ease comfortably, and not to overexert themselves, so long as they could compel the public to buy at their own price, and to accept their own standard of good workmanship, the warlike emperors, the chauvinists of all countries, the extravagant spendings with the resulting difficulties of getting blood from a stone, and the temptation of scraping revenue together in any mischievous fashion that offered itself, the party intrigues, the effort to discover something that would serve as an attractive policy, the unavowed purpose of some politicians, living for party, and keen for power, to bind a large part of the people by the worst of bonds to their side by means of a huge and corrupt money interest.  But the consequences of protection are fighting their battle everywhere on the side of free trade--as the consequences of folly and blindness always fight on the side of the better things;  and if we remain faithful to our great trust will in their due time fulfill Mr. Cobden's words.  The high prices and dear living, the harassing interferences with trade, the rings and corners, the trickeries and corruption, that all tread so close on the heels of protection, the wild extravagance, the domineering insolent attitude of the state-made monopolists, the ever-growing power of the governments to go their own way, where they can gather vast sums of money so easily through their unseen tax collectors, the ever-spreading socialism, that is protection made universal--all these things are preaching their eloquent lesson, and slowly preparing the way in other countries for free trade."  Auberon Herbert , A Plea for Voluntaryism

Two Loser Guys

       The United States is currently like a woman being courted by two undesirable deadbeats.  These suitors are Saudi Arabia and Turkey, both of which wish to exclude the other from America's good graces.
       Turkey is a problem due to the fact that the putative secularism of Ataturk is being abandoned by Erdogan, the current strongman.  Trying to woo the United States, Turkey finally freed Pastor Brunson.  In reality, Turkey's secularism followed an anything-but-secular ethnic cleansing of Armenians and Greeks.  Turkey loathes Saudi Arabia for overtly being what it pretends not to be--an illiberal theocratic Muslim state.
       Saudi Arabia, even before the torturous killing and dismemberment of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has always pretended to be an American ally while harboring Wahabism and brutally interposing itself in Yemen's civil war.   Unfortunately, the Saudis have co-opted American politicians of both parties.
       Neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey is likely to become a true democracy, but Saudi Arabia is far more despotic than Turkey.  As the world's only absolute monarchy, the Saudis are still as authoritarian as Egypt was under Mubarak.  For some reason, our politicians have given the Saudi monarchy a pass from the opproprium  they showed to Mubarak and his kind.
       The United States should be skeptical of Turkey's attempts at blackening Saudi Arabia, yet at the same time we should stop selling military hardware to Saudi Arabia.  The unbridled slaughter in Yemen should have caused this before the Khashoggi murder.

Deus ex Federal?

       Federalism means that the American people have instituted two tiers of government, each with separate functions.  The whole scheme was modeled on Swiss cantons.  In Switzerland, the Federal government is supreme in a few vital areas common to the entire country.  The cantons do most of the run of the mill government.  
        The whole idea of states rights has come into bad odor with many, but the flip side of states' rights is states' responsibilities.  Each state elects its own government representatives, who are responsible for lawmaking, including fiscal matters.  When states such as Estase's own Killinois end up with a huge financial mess, the first instinct of some is to want the Federal government to bail out the state, fixing the errors our elected officials created.   There are several reasons why this is unacceptable.
       1)  Federal bailouts of a state are a violation of the state's sovereignty.  A state that gets bailouts from the rest of the country loses its own character and dignity as a freestanding government.  It suggests that states do not have any right to their own existence, seeing as how they entirely rely on the Federal government.
       2)Federal bailouts of a state remove any incentive to be careful in electing state politicians.  Illinois is in the mess that it's in because too many of its politicians were elected for light and transient reasons.  The psychology of the mob was joined to the methods of the mafia in Illinois.  People were elected to the General Assembly who weren't responsible enough to be trusted with one's pet.  The mere suggestion that Federal money might make up for a state's bad electoral choices feeds this political Lindsay Lohan behavior.
        3) Other states shouldn't be punished for irresponsible states' choices.  Why should states like North Dakota or Tennessee pay higher taxes for goodies that they didn't enjoy?  Why should anyone elect sane politicians if the people who elect sane politicians pay for the states that elect lunatics?
        4)  Federal bailouts to irresponsible states are a terrible constitutional precedent.  Once this practice begins, it is likely to reoccur over and over again.  The end result will be anger and dissatisfaction, leading to calls for a unitary government, seeing as how the states have bungled the functions they were originally intended to perform.

Law and Precedent

       "I said there was a Society of Men among us, bred up from their Youth in the Art of proving by Words multiplied for the Purpose, that White is Black and Black is White, according as they are paid.  To this Society all the rest of the People are Slaves.
       For example.  If my Neighbor hath a mind to my Cow, he hires a Lawyer to prove that he ought to have my Cow from me.  I must then hire another to defend my Right;  it being against all Rules of Law that any Man should be allowed to speak for himself.  Now in this Case, I who am the true Owner lie under two great Disadvantages.  First, my Lawyer being practiced almost from his Cradle in defending Falsehood;  is quite out of his Element when he would be an Advocate for Justice, which as an Office unnatural, he always attempts with great Awkwardness, if not with Ill-will.  The second Disadvantage is, that my Lawyer must proceed with great Caution:  Or else he will be reprimanded by the Judges, and abhorred by his Brethren, as one who would lessen the Practice of the Law.  And therefore I have but two Methods to preserve my Cow.  The first is, to gain over my Adversary's Lawyer with a double Fee;  who will then betray his Client, by insinuating that he hath Justice on his Side.  The second Way is for my Lawyer to make my Cause appear as unjust as he can;  by allowing the Cow to belong to my Adversary;  and this if it be skillfully done, will certainly bespeak the Favour of the Bench.
       Now, your Honour is to know, that these Judges are Persons appointed to decide all Controversies of Property, as well as for the Tryal of Criminals;  and picked out from the most dextrous Lawyers who are grown old or lazy:  And having been byassed all their Lives against Truth and Equity, lie under such a fatal Necessity of favouring Fraud, Perjury and Oppression;  that I have known some of them to have refused a large Bribe from the Side where Justice lay, rather than injure the Faculty, by doing any thing unbecoming their Nature or their Office.
       It is a Maxim among these Lawyers, that whatever hath been done before, may legally be done again:  And therefore they take special Care to record all the Decisions formerly made against common Justice and the general Reason of Mankind.  These, under the name of Precedents, they produce as Authorities to justify the most iniquitous Opinions;  and the Judges never fail of directing accordingly.
       In pleading, they studiously avoid entering into the Merits of the Cause;  but are loud, violent and tedious in dwelling upon all Circumstances which are not to the Purpose.  For Instance, in the Case already mentioned:  They never desire to know what Claim or Title my Adversary hath to my Cow;  but whether the said Cow were Red or Black;  her Horns long or short;  whether the Field I graze her in be round or square;  whether she were milked at home or abroad;  what Diseases she is subject to, and the like.  After which they consult Precedents, adjourn the Cause, from Time to Time, and in Ten, Twenty, or Thirty Years come to an Issue.
       It is likewise to be observed, that this Society hath a peculiar Cant and Jargon of their own, that no other Mortal can understand, and wherein all their Laws are written, which they take special Care to multiply;  whereby they have wholly confounded the very Essence of Truth and Falsehood, of Right and Wrong;  so that it will take Thirty Years to decide whether the Field, left me by my Ancestors for six Generations, belong to me, or to a Stranger three Hundred Miles off."
Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, Part Three, Chapter Five

Drought, Draft, and Drouth

       A good example of the evolution of language is the way the word "Draft" and its related words have changed in usage.  Drought is the older spelling of draft.  Older writing will refer to taking a drought of water, or feeling a drought of air.  Older writing will refer to a period without rain as a drouth.  One seldom sees a mention of drouth after the 1940s, when it was replaced by drought.  At the same time, people started talking about feeling a draft, and bars began serving draft beer.

Querying the Dead in Laputa

       "I was chiefly disgusted with modern History.  For having strictly examined all the Persons of greatest Name in the Courts of Princes for a Hundred Years past, I found how the World had been misled by prostitute Writers, to ascribe the greatest Exploits in War to Cowards, the wisest Counsel to Fools, Sincerity to Flatterers, Roman Virtue to Betrayers of their Country, Piety to Atheists, Chastity to Sodomites, Truth to Informers.  How many innocent and excellent Persons had been condemned to Death or Banishment, by the practising of great Ministers upon the Corruption of Judges, and the Malice of Factions.  How many Villains had been exalted to the highest Places of Trust, Power, Dignity, and Profit:  How great a Share in the Motions and Events of Courts, Councils, and Senates might be challenged by Bawds, Whores, Pimps, Parasites, and Buffoons:  How low an Opinion I had of human Wisdom and Integrity, when I was truly informed of the Springs and Motives of great Enterprizes and Revolutions in the World, and of the contemptible Accidents to which they owed their Success.
       Here I discovered the Roguery and Ignorance of those who pretend to write Anecdotes, or secret History;  who send so many Kings to their Graves with a Cup of Poison;  will repeat the Discourse between a Prince and chief Minister, where no Witness was by;  unlock the Thoughts and Cabinets of Embassadors and Secretaries of State;  and true Causes of many great Events that have surprized the World:  How a Whore can govern the Back-stairs, the Back-stairs a Council, and the Council the Senate.   A General confessed in my Presence, that he got a Victory purely by the Force of Cowardice and ill Conduct:  And an Admiral, that for want of proper Intelligence, he beat the Enemy to whom he intended to betray the Fleet.  Three Kings protested to me, that in their whole Reigns they did never once prefer any Person of Merit, unless by Mistake or Treachery of some Minister in whom they confided:  Neither would they do it if they were to live again;  and they shewed with great Strength of Reason, that the Royal Throne could not be supported without Corruption;  because, that positive, confident, restive Temper, which Virtue infused into Man, was a perpetual Clog to publick Business.
       I had the Curiosity to enquire in a particular Manner, by what Method great Numbers had procured to themselves high Titles of Honour, and prodigious Estates;  and I confined my Enquiry to a very modern Period:  However, without grating upon present Times, because I would be sure to give no Offense even to Foreigners, (for I hope the Reader need not be told that I do not in the least intend my own Country in what I say upon this Occasion) a great Number of Persons concerned were called up, and upon a very slight Examination, discovered such a Scene of Infamy, that I cannot reflect upon it without some Seriousness.  Perjury, Oppression, Subornation, Fraud, Pandarism, and the like Infirmities were amongst the most excusable Arts they had to mention;  and for these I gave, as it was reasonable, the Allowance.  But when some confessed, they owed their Greatness and Wealth to Sodomy or Incest;  others to the prostituting of their own Wives and Daughters;  others to the betraying their Country or their Prince;  some to poisoning, more to the perverting of Justice in order to destroy the Innocent:  I hope I may be pardoned if these Discoveries inclined me a little to abate of that profound Veneration which I am naturally apt to pay to Persons of high Rank, who ought to be treated with the utmost Respect due to their sublime Dignity, by us their Inferiors."
Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels, Part Three, Chapter Eight.