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THE CARTOONIST’S VOICE
-ONDAY $ECEMBER
AFTER THE COLD WAR
North Korea continues its erratic course Execution of leader’s uncle symptomatic of ‘prisoner state’ ARTHUR I. CYR Northbrook
Dave Granlund, GateHouse News Service
EDITORIALS FROM YESTERYEAR
From our archives: ‘Sterling’ couple planned $100,000 gift Note to readers – Sauk Valley Media reprints editorials and articles from the past as a regular Monday feature. The following items appeared in the Gazette on Dec. 22 and 23, 1913.
What we thought: 100 years ago
'IVE CHILDREN ON #HRISTMAS $AY Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Fletcher to share their prosperity s s s $12,500 for each of the eight families n Christmas morning, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Fletcher of 405 West Third street, will distribute one hundred thousand dollars as Christmas presents, to eight families, comprising the membership of the Fletcher household. Of this membership, there are six children of Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher, and the family of two of their children, who have crossed the Great Divide. This most excellent household consists of six children, twenty-four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. A family gathering will be held at the [Fletcher] home ‌ on Christmas, and on this occasion, the distribution will take place. Almost all of the children will be present, as well as grandchildren, and some of the great grandchildren. When interviewed this morning at his home, Mr. Fletcher requested that but little be said about the distribution. He stated that his interests were such, that it takes considerable of his time to look after his farms and other holdings, and he was of the opinion that he could afford to give the eight families of his household one hundred thousand dollars, so that he would be able to see them enjoy it, and by judicious investment would cause this money to multiply.
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People may dream of receiving a pile of money for Christmas. One hundred years ago, a Sterling couple gave gifts worth a pile of money – $100,000, to be exact. A Gazette editor on Dec. 23, 1913, described Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Fletcher as “Sterling in character, and respected and regarded by a very large circle of friends.� He believed that the distribution would lessen his work and cares. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are Sterling’s most estimable citizens. In the full meaning of the word, they are Sterling in character, and respected and regarded by a very large circle of friends. That Christmas Day will be the most happy one in the lives of this splendid and worthy couple goes without saying. The presents will be practically all in splendid real estate. After making this big distribution, Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher will have plenty of holdings left to occupy their time in looking after the investments. Each family will receive $12,500. – Dec. 23, 1913
!N APPEAL TO 'OOD &ELLOWS OF 3TERLING Lonely home in need of necessities of life s s s No Christmas cheer for aged citizen Somewhere in this city, there is an aged man,
whose house is cold and dreary, and the coming of the Christmas season, with its spirit of Christmas cheer, is meaningless to him, unless the Good Fellows of this community, share with him a part of their sunshine and cheer. This home is doubly cheerless, as it is without a helpmate, to look after his cares and desires. His wife of many years has preceded him to the Great Beyond. This citizen is beyond the age of four score years. His home is cheerless. Unless the Good Fellows assist in brightening this, probably his last Christmas on earth, Christmas morning will find his humble home cheerless, and almost without the necessities of life. A thorough investigation of conditions at this home has been made. Substantial necessities of life are needed. Warm underclothing, good clothing, stockings, shoes, substantial food, such as flour, potatoes, some meat and foods. Those who investigated the home yesterday found it practically without food, with the exception of a few potatoes. This aged man is deserving. Mr. Good Fellow, if you will but come to his rescue and give him from your store, just a little mite of your plenty, this holiday season will be the happiest time of his life. – Dec. 22, 1913
prevalent here. It is not always the practiced thief who tries to pick up small articles or even larger bundles of goods in passing through a crowded store. Often it is some sorely tempted person who has not the means to buy and who is carried away either by the need of the things or the desire to possess them. A girl with all her love of finery stirring within her, or a woman with little children whose stockings are fated to go empty on account of the lack of money to make the Christmas purchases, is often the offender, and as a rule, such persons are gently dealt with. They are merely compelled to restore the stolen property and then permitted to go in peace. – Dec. 22, 1913
'ROCERIES WILL CLOSE #HRISTMAS MORNING All of the owners of stores of the city [Rock Falls] have agreed to close their places of business at 10 o’clock in order to give their clerks a pleasant day. No orders will be taken that day and no deliveries made, but they will stay in the stores for immediate wants and will close promptly at 10 o’clock. This recognition of the rights of the clerks is all right. – Dec. 23, 1913
4HE GIFT OF NEWS
No more acceptable Christmas present could be given to a relative or friend, either at home or in some other city, than a year’s subscription to .O SHOPLIFTING the Daily Gazette. The REPORTED HERE daily news from home Although the “busy� would be a constant Christmas shopping sea- reminder of your genson has been on for more erosity. If desired, the than a week, no attempts Gazette will write a letter at shoplifting have been to the recipient, telling reported to the police. him that you have sent The fact is that shopthe Daily Gazette for a lifting as it is practiced year as a Christmas presin the larger cities is not ent. – Dec. 22, 1913
EDITORIAL BOARD
4(% &)234 !-%.$-%.4
Jennifer Baratta Jim Dunn Sheryl Gulbranson Larry Lough Trevis Mayfield Jeff Rogers
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
North Korea’s official source of information and incendiary insults, the Korean Central News Agency, announced Dec. 13 that the regime had executed the uncle of leader Kim Jong Un. Jang Song Thaek was considered extremely influential, a confidant who helped Kim consolidate power after the death of his father Kim Jong-Il 2 years ago. The startling news was accompanied by the extreme rhetoric which characterizes Pyongyang’s public announcements. This is the latest incident in continuing erratic behavior by isolated Pyongyang. On March 11, the North Korean army declared that the 1953 Korean War armistice was “invalid,� implying hostilities would resume. The military “hotline� connecting the two countries was abruptly cut. At the end of that month, bellicose threats against the United States were added. U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel responded by describing North Korea as a clear threat, while Secretary of State John Kerry and South Kim Jong Korea ForUn eign Minister Yun Byung-se held a joint Washington news conference to emphasize the security partnership. Pyongyang prevented South Korean workers from entering the Kaesong industrial center, located 6 miles north of the DMZ, and then shut down the facility entirely. Cooperation resumed and the facility reopened in September. In early December, collaboration on an electronics installation began. The center is an important source of hard currency for the impoverished North. IN MAY 2012, Kim Jong Un publicly criticized those in the military for “developing a taste for money� and corruption. As part of the shakeup that followed, Kim assumed the rank of marshal of the People’s Army, the latest celebratory title that sycophants have attached to his name. Whether killing his uncle is related to solidifying power is unknown. For several years, North Korea has been acting erratically in military matters. In March 2010, a North Korean torpedo
“Free speech is too important to leave exclusively to judges, lawyers and politicians. It belongs to the American people.� Michael Kent Curtis, author, professor, Wake Forest University School of Law, 2000
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sank the South Korean ship Cheonan. In the same vicinity, North Korean artillery bombarded South Korea’s Yeonpyeong Island. In February 2012, North Korea appeared yet again to cease its on-again, offagain nuclear program. In joint announcements coordinated with the U.S. Department of State, the regime agreed to halt enrichment of uranium and construction of weapons, and permit international inspection. Yet 2 months later, Pyongyang tested a missile, which ended in embarrassing failure. This unpredictable behavior, u n f o l d Arthur I. ing over a Cyr long period, implies infighting at the top. Last summer, North Korea reversed course yet again, seeking to improve relations with the South. On Aug. 23, the two sides agreed to resume reunions of Korean families separated by the DMZ, after a 3-year hiatus, with Pyongyang actually pressing for a faster timetable than Seoul. Also in August, agreement was reached to reopen Kaesong. North Korea invited U.S. diplomat Robert King to visit to discuss the possible release of imprisoned American Kenneth Bae. South KoJang Song rean PresiThaek dent Park Geun-hye, inaugurated in late February, has addressed these rapidly shifting political and propaganda currents from Pyongyang with calmness and continuity. From the start, she has held out the hand of cooperation, while leaving no doubt about resorting, if necessary, to her nation’s formidable military capacities. She leads from great strength. South Korea is a stable representative democracy, and one of the largest, most productive economies in the world. The prosperity of the population overall is strikingly self-evident to this occasional visitor. Public confidence and apparent unconcern about demented declarations and hostile acts north of the DMZ dividing line reflects the stance of the nation’s leadership. North Korea, by stark static contrast, remains a desperately impoverished prisoner state, living on borrowed time. Note to readers: Arthur I. Cyr is Clausen distinguished professor at Carthage College. Contact him at acyr@carthage.edu.
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