Mc Donald Family Newsletter
Editor: Bill Norin
Publisher: Bill Norin
Composer:Bill Norin
Copy Boy: Guess Who
A Chairdean Ionmhuinn Mo Chinnidh
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Vol.18, NO.4, Fall 2004 |
How Would Our Ancestors Have Voted?
Lauchin and Michael were quite active in politics and in addition to serving at the local polling places they served on the Democratic Central Committee in SLO County as well as taking leadership roles in the Farmer’s Alliance, a farmer’s group that grew out of the older grange movement.
A long and severe depression had struck the nation’s farmers after the Civil War and in SLO County the farmers were feeling they were victims of the railroads and Leland Stanford and his fellow “Robber Barons” in particular. Thus, the Populist Party was formed to express the agrarian protest of the late 19th century. In some states, such as California, this was known as the People's Party. The party was organized in 1891 as a political successor to the Grange movement of the 1870s and the Farmer’s Alliance of the 1880s. Shortly after this new party was formed, L and M switched their registration to the new national party
The Populist Party advocated public ownership of the railroads, steam ship lines, telephone and telegraph systems, and free coinage of silver. Obviously the first item was of particular relevance to L and M and their neighbors This was actually our nation’s first flirtation with socialism and the goal of the Populists was no less than replacing the Democrats as the nation’s second party by forming an alliance of the farmers of the West and South with the industrial workers of the East who had belonged to the Knights of Labor. In 1892 the Populist ran James B Weaver for president and even though he lost he polled over 1,041,000 votes.
In 1896 the populists kept intact their platform of 1892; the Democratic party however adopted the plank of free coinage of silver and nominated William Jennings Brian for President but he lost to Mc Kinley and this election undermined agrarian insurgency and a period of rapidly rising farm prices helped to bring about the dissolution of the Populist Party.
We know that Laughlin was an active member of this fledgling party when it was first formed and he and neighbor Bill Dalton (of Dalton Gang fame) represented SLO County at the Populist Party Convention in Sacramento.
So how would L and M have voted in the 2004 election? Because they were active in the Democratic Party before joining the Populists, I would surmise they would have voted for Kerry, yet, their leanings towards socialistic reforms might not have stood them in good stead with either of the current parties.In fact, if this were still the Cold War period they would probably be labeled as Commies!
Roots
Or can you claim some spot on earth?
Such as the city that gave you birth?
I cannot believe that this is so;
from the womb of time, not place
we grow. Moments of joy, remembering
laughter; there were hurts but love
came after. A favorite toy, a childhood
friend---and the toys that helped a spirit
bend. Time drives our tap root into the deep
Leaving us memories to keep.
What does genealogy mean?
Searching your past for the earliest gene?
Back to your parents’ parents’ parents
and their parents’ parents
… Etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., etc., ad infinitum.
What you find may boggle your mind.
Seems none of them took a trip
On the old Mayflower
That crowded ship.
Couldn’t find you a queen or king,
Or a little royalty in between.
So here without fame or nobility
Is what I could find of your family tree.
There was Ellen, a rebel for her day
Who from a convent ran away.
Scaled the walls for a Romeo
To head for Cal-I-for-nia
Romance couldn’t suffer on the trail
For she eventually married this errant male
In San Miguel, her daughter married another
The latter was the mother of your great grandmother…
Mary Mc Adam was her name
To a Scotsman from Nova Scotia wed,
(she spent a lot of her life in bed!)
For 14 children from that branch
Grew up in Paso Robles
On a big sheep ranch
Written by the late Cousin Shyrl Hacker
to her son Gary on his wedding day
MACDONALD AND GILLIS DESCENDANTS REUNITE IN MAINE
by John Frye
(John is a fourth cousin on our Gillis side. He lives in Chester, VA and his family originally immigrated to Maine from PEI or, as they say in Canada, they moved to the "Boston States".)
Each year, usually on the third Saturday in September, descendants of the Alexander, Cooper, Frye, Gillis, and MacDonald families meet to celebrate their heritage, bring the families closer, and enjoy great food together in an exceptionally lovely setting.
Within easy walking distance of the picturesque Penobscot Bay shoreline, a large State Park shelter built of granite and huge timbers, constructed by the CC boys during the 1930s, provides our families the perfect setting for our annual reunion.
This year, we kicked the celebration off with a hunter’s breakfast of SOS (creamed chipped beef on toast), scrambled eggs, bacon, home-fries, as well as pancakes with all the fixings.
Genealogical outlines of each family, from the first to arrive in North America to those in attendance at the event, were constructed and displayed on large wooden panels. All available photos of our ancestors were gathered and added to the displays. Music from of our forefathers was kept playing in the background as we met, re-met, and chatted with our cousins.
As the sun began warming the area in earnest, our piper arrived and, in the best Highland dress we could muster, children and adults alike were led in procession by the piper.
Using the shelter as our focal point, remarks about the families were offered, appreciation was expressed for the pot- luck dishes brought by each attendee, and awards were given for those oldest, youngest, and who had traveled the farthest to get to the State Park, just north of Camden, Maine.
The dogs and burgers went onto the park’s grill while a group photograph was being taken and by the time it had been dutifully recorded for history, the grilling was complete and the pot-luck lunch was ready to be served. We all ate heartily, then awarded more prizes for best baked beans, best chowder, and best pie. It was the highlight of the get-together -- a great feast. We were each reminded that there is nothing better than to be with loved ones, talking about family, while partaking in a delicious, home made meal.
Following our repast, a hearty rendering of “Mull of Kintyre” *was delivered by two cousins who will remain anonymous (their audience was elated once they’d finished) and more appreciation was expressed for attendees’ support and participation (during which the inevitable peek ‘neath the kilt occurred – I was reminded to never again use a picnic table while thusly attired).
Next year we’ll do it again. You’re invited and I’ll stay away from the picnic tables.
*If you are not familiar with this famous Paul Mc Cartney tune I urge you to go to my web page and listen to its haunting refrain and read about its background.It could be considered our family's anthem
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