THE TORCH OF REASON, SILVERTON, OREGON, JULY 13, 1899.
2
municipal governments. It is quite and also Mr. Chainey, who arrived wouldn’t be here now. I saw the
printing press that Franklin used,
likely that the whole system will, in time to join in the farewell.
Miss Van Ness is a young lady and many other ancient relics.
some day, be incorporated in one
BY P . W . G E E R .
I went to the “Old Christ
city, and then it is quite likely 23 years of age, and is deeply inter-
My first evening in Boston was that the city politics will be as ested in the Freethonght cause and Church,” and climbed the tower to
very pleasantly spent with Mr. C. corrupt as in New York and Chi the rights of woman. Her gradua- where the lamps were hung to warn
Elton Blanchard, with whom the cago. At present, the best part tion address was on the subject of Paul Revere of the approach of the
Torch readers feel quite well ac j about Boston is the cities, towns, “ W om an and her Possibilities.” British. That was the best “hang
It was verv * cleverlv • written, and ing” that was ever done. Christ
quainted. Mr. Blanchard is now parks and beaches around it.
Returning to the city, Mr. delivered with tne air of an experi- Church is a curiosity. The sexton
business manager of The Arena,
and has great hopes of making Blanchard and I ate dinner, and ' enced lady orator. Miss Van Ness showed me the old Bible and Prayer
that ill-fated paper succeed.
I then went for a trolly ride through has splendid expression, a good Book where the word “king” had
have great faith in his business the subway. This subway is an clear voice, and an exceedingly been crossed out or pasted over bv
ability, and, according to his plans, immense tunnel, several miles in graceful appearance on the stage. the patriots as often as it appears,
I see no reason for failure. There length, with its branches extending She speaks with earnestness, show and the word “president” substi
is certainly room for a paper such in various directions under the ing that she means everything she tuted. Those were “warm” days.
as he proposes to make of the business parts of the city. It was says. Surely there is a great fu While the sexton was explaining
Arena, and good business manage completed last year, and cost five ture for the young lady, and she is some pictures of preachers, I slip
ment is all that it needs. Mr. million dollars. It is owned by the well provided with good common ped a copy of the Torch of Reason
Blanchard has only recently moved city, the electric lines paying for sense. She is capable of accom into the old contribution box and
to Boston, and his wife and child the use of it. This is of inestim plishing much in the Freethonght closed the lid. In the end of the
ren were still in Cleveland; but he able value, as it enables the cars to work, if she decides to use her church near the belfry, is the organ
has a beautiful home rented, and make greater speed through the abilities along that line. She has and the place for thechoir. In the
as it was being put in order for him, heart of the city without interfer sense enough to behave herself, opposite end is the pulpit, extend
we went out to see how the work ing with other traffic and endanger and I have no doubt the Free- ing to the level of the galleries.
Boston’s streets are thought world will hear from her. Back of the organ and above the
was progressing. The house is ing lives.
situated at the edge of Franklin narrow and crooked, and street
Among the others whom I met in gallery for the choir, is a small
Park, and a more beautiful spot cars have no business on them. Boston is Mr. Walter C. Wright, cooped-up place for the slaves. This
could not well be chosen in Boston. Washington Street is the principal son of Elizur Wright, so well is where the name “nigger-heaven”
After examining the house, we took business’centre, and as it is narrow known to Freethinkers.
Mr. had its origin. At the rear of the
a stroll through the park. Frank and winding, with electric cars Wright believes as his noble father pews on the main floor is a seat for
lin Park is situated in West Rox running only a few feet apart, it is did, and is ever ready to assist our two persons, whose duty it was to
bury, and contains 527 acres. It is exceedingly dangerous for foot pas cause. The plan of the Liberal keep the congregation awake. Hell
one of the finest ¡»arks in the coun sengers.
University suits him, and he is fire wouldn’t do it, so those fellows
try; laid out on the landscape
My second evening in Boston going to help make it a success, were provided with a ¡»ole each, and
plan, without disturbing the orig was very pleasantly spent with my lie very kindly invited me to spend when a person would go to sleep,
inal topography of the landscape. friend Ralph Washburn Chainey. a night with him at his home in one of these men would march
Everything is natural. The hills, None of the eastern cities are quite Medford, but, although 1 regret it, down the aisle and poke the sleeper
the grass, the trees and the shrubs complete without a “Keith’s Thea I had to leave in order to reach the with a pole. The slaves had the
are undisturbed.
There are no tre,” and Boston, being the chief of other points in my travels, and best of it then, for they w*ere out of
signs, “Keep o/F the grass,” and theatre cities, has the finest one of could not accept his kind invita retch of the poles, and could sleep
people are allowed to go where Mr. Keith’s play-houses. It was to tion.
during the sermons. I next w’ent
they choose, roll upon the grass, this place Mr. Chainey and I went,
I feel that I am pretty well ac to Faneuil Hall, “The Cradle of
and pick wild flowers. Splendid and the performance was very good quainted with Boston, and to de Liberty.” There is nothing left of
macadam driveways are built indeed.
Friday afternoon, Mr. scribe it properly would require the original but the brick walls.
through the park, and here and W ashburn invited me to his home more space than the eight pages of The rest is l>eing replaced with new
there is a rustic seat or oldstone in Revere, where I had a very the Torch afford. I spent some of fire-proof materials. Boston is full
wall. Here is where the “School pleasant time. We first went to the time sight-seeing. I went to of grave-yards, and on many of the
master,” Ralph Waldo Emerson, the beach and looked out over the the place on Milk Street where gates are tablets giving the names
lived and wrote. On a large boul Atlantic.
Revere beach extends Franklin was born. Instead of a of some of the noted dead. It
der among the pines on “School for several miles in a crescent
humble cottage, a huge brick build plersed me to be reminded that
master Hill,” is where Mr. Emer shape, and is owned by the Metro ing occupies the spot; but I like the some of those persons are dead. 1
son is said to have done much of politan Park Commission. A beau place just the same, because a great am sorry they ever lived.
his writing.
tiful driveway has been constructed Infidel was born there. I saw the
On the whole, Boston has a great
Boston’s parks cannot be beaten the entire length. Thousands of Old South Church. It has been admiration for ancient things—
anywhere; in fact, the park system people bathe in the surf daily. The purchased by a committee of wo- many ancient lies, too. Most of
is the best throughout Boston. The j city of Lynn can be seen to the men, and is used as a museum, a
people of Boston really think
metropolitan park system is grand northeast.
I walked with Mr. much more worthy object than for that Boston is the centre of the
indeed. There are nine reserva Washburn to his lovely home on a the preaching of hellfire. I went to univprse. They think that the
tions in all, containing nearly eight hill overlooking the city and ocean. State Street and saw the spot where whole machine is really being run
thousand acres. The Blue Hills He has indeed selected an ideal “The Boston Massacre” took place I°r Boston. If any of the Boston-
reservation alone contains 3,953 place to live and enjoy fresh air in 1770. While I admire the ac- ians have ever gone to Heaven, I
acres, and on the summit of the and delightful scenery. From his tions of the ¡»atriots, I can’t help am sure they have associated them
highest hill the United States Gov study window, Mr. Washburn can remembering that down that street selves together, and call the locality
ernment has an observatory. Be look out over the great Atlantic. a black man, in chains, was sent “New Boston.” So far as I am con
sides these, the city proper contains I was pleased to meet Mrs. Wash back to slavery, escorted by the cerned, if Heaven is like Boston, I
many beautiful parks, such as Bos burn and her charming daughter, U. S. Marshal and his thousand de will go to the other place. I am
ton Common, the Public Garden and enjoy a good visit and a splen puties. That is the trouble with sorry that so many good people are
and other parks and squares. did dinner. I was sorry I could New England. It was once the wasting their lives in Boston. They
“Metropolitan Boston’’ comprises not remain longer. I had to return scene of many noble acts, but the ought to go to Silverton.
the city of Boston and a district to the city, where I had the oppor stain of Puritanism is left upon it.
On Bunker Hill day I went to
with a radius of ten miles from the tunity of attending the graduating At the head of State Street stands
the Arena office to have a farewell
city hall. Boston contains a popu exercises of the New England the old State House, and there I en-
visit with Mr. Blanchard, then
lation of half a million, and the College of Oratory, with the kind joyed a few moments looking at spent an hour or so in the Art Mu-
other eleven cities and sixteen invitation of Miss Nellie Van Ness
ancient things. I stood in the hal- seum among the various and won-
towns, which go to make “Greater of Ohio. This was my last night in
cony where M ashington stood to derful works of art, and then went
Boston,” contain about a million Boston; and as the next day was
view the army after the siege of to Charlestown to take in the cele-
people. Cambridge, Lynn, and the Bunker Hill day, and business
Boston, and where the Declaration I bration, * and see the North Atlantic
other cities and towns included in would be suspended, I hade good
of Independence was read. I am Squadron. I climbed the Bunker
“Greater Boston,” all have separate bye to my friends the Washburns,
glad I didn’t stand there then for I Hill monument.
It is 221 feet
Abroad.