Writings in the United Amateur, 1915-1922 Part 31

Published at Elroy, Wisconsin.

Entered as second-cla.s.s mail matter at the post office at Elroy, Wis.

Editorial

Amidst the prevailing efforts of a small but pugnacious group to "liven"

up the United through attacks on the Official Organ, a few basic principles should be remembered by those who stand in bewilderment.

Our const.i.tution does not define the functions of THE UNITED AMATEUR beyond making imperative the publication of certain official doc.u.ments.

The rest is left to an unwritten combination of tradition and editorial judgment. Any editor, once elected, is absolutely in control of the magazine aside from the essential official matter; his only external obligation being a tacit recognition of the prevailing objects of the a.s.sociation. In the present case a narrow circle of agitators seems to be seeking political capital by accusing the editor of placing too high an estimate on the members.h.i.+p and purposes of the United.

Since the whole development of the a.s.sociation is involved in this matter, it is important that a prompt and perfect understanding be reached. The opinions of all members should be known, and if the editor finds that he has been in error, he will be glad to arrange for the accommodation of the Organ to the wishes of the majority. Up to the present time, despite the florid overstatements of the few who are trying to work up a new and wholly artificial dissatisfaction, this office has received _not so much as one complaint_ as to policy save from the two politicians who are seeking to lower the United's standards. Endors.e.m.e.nts as to the existing policy have been many, and as long as these remain so tremendously in the Majority, it would be a betrayal of trust to make a change to please a tiny group. If there are those who differ, why do they not speak?

Since truth is the only perfect clarifier when politics seeks to becloud, it is necessary that the editor state his policy here and now with the utmost candour. Shorn of all irrelevant things, that policy is simply the maintenance of those standards established in the United by the departure of the chronically political element in 1912. Prior to that time the Official Organ was mainly a bulletin of reports: not, as the present agitators would imply, a repository for indiscriminate amateur writings. The standard developed since then is the creation of no one person, but a logical outgrowth of the rising calibre of a vital and progressive society. It is neither one of favouritism nor one of autocracy; but merely one of _stimulation_. It is an embodiment of the United's desire to let the Official Organ exemplify the members'

progress by using the best available material. No genuine aspirant has ever been frowned upon, or so far as we know given any ground for discouragement. The Organ is a beckoner and encourager, designed to inspire the members to renewed efforts to produce work worthy of symbolising the United. Would anyone so far insult the a.s.sociation as to wish its official exponent to cater to that type of mediocrity which neither improves nor wishes to improve? Our columns are open to all who toil for the fruits of art, and statements to the contrary cannot be interpreted as other than irresponsibly ignorant or craftily misrepresentative. While insistence on a certain degree of merit is of course necessary, it is not true that THE UNITED AMATEUR makes any arbitrary restrictions. The Organ was not designed for the publication of various members' work, nor is access to its columns one of the special objects of members.h.i.+p, as certain agitators are artfully intimating. But notwithstanding those technical points, all proficient writers are welcome. It is illuminating, in view of the prevalent loose statements, to reflect that throughout the present editor's service _not more than three ma.n.u.scripts have been rejected_; and that even these three were or will be elsewhere placed. Those seeking an a.s.sociational disturbance will not scruple to take advantage of every outward appearance which seems to favour them--unavoidable delays, spatial limitations, and other things interfering with prompt publication of all matter offered to this office. The present editor will be denounced as a "tyrant" by elements attempting to degrade standards which he did not establis.h.!.+

The life and well-being of the United are at stake, and it is imperative that the members.h.i.+p exercise the most careful and independent reflection before accepting the views of radicals bent on retrogressive experiments.

THE UNITED AMATEUR MARCH 1922

OFFICIAL ORGAN FUND

Providence, R. I., April 25, 1922.

On Hand, December 29, 1921 $15.00

RECEIPTS SINCE DECEMBER 29

From Treasury, up to April 25 $31.00 Woodbee Press Club 10.00 H. P. Lovecraft 7.00 Anonymous 5.00 Mr. and Mrs. Leo Fritter 2.00 Ida C. Haughton 2.00 ------ Total Receipts $72.00

EXPENDITURES

To E. E. Ericson, for January U. A. $36.00 To E. E. Ericson, for March U. A. 36.00 ------ Total Expenditures $72.00

Balance on Hand, April 25, 1922 None

H. P. LOVECRAFT, Custodian.

THE UNITED AMATEUR MAY 1922

OFFICIAL ORGAN FUND

Providence, R. I., June 23, 1922.

On Hand, April 25, 1922 None

_Receipts Since April 25_

From Treasury, up to June 23 $28.00 Alfred Galpin, Jr. 6.00 Woodbee Press Club 5.00 Mr. and Mrs. Leo Fritter 2.00 ------ Total Receipts $41.00

_Expenditures_

To E. E. Ericson, for May U. A. $24.00

Balance on Hand, June 23, 1922 $17.00

H. P. LOVECRAFT, Custodian.

At the Home of Poe

_A Poem in Prose_

To H. P. Lovecraft

FRANK BELKNAP LONG, JR.

The home of Poe! It is like a fairy dwelling, a gnomic palace built of the aether of dreams. It is tiny and delicate and lovely, and replete with memories of sere leaves in November and of lilies in April. It is a castle of vanished hopes, of dimly-remembered dreams, of sad memories older than the deluge. The dead years circle slowly and solemnly around its low white walls, and clothe it in a mystic veil of unseen tears. And many marvellous stories could this quaint little old house tell, many weird and cryptic stories of him of the Raven hair, and high, pallid brow, and sad, sweet face, and melancholy mien; and of the beloved Virginia, that sweet child of a thousand magic visions, child of the lonesome, pale-gray latter years, child of the soft and happy South. And how the dreamer of the spheres must have loved this strange little house. Every night the hollow boards of its porch must have echoed to his footfall, and every morn the great rising sun must have sent its rays through the little window, and bathed the lovely tresses of the dream-child in mystical yellow. And perhaps there was laughter within the walls of that house--laughter and merriment and singing. But we know that the Evil One came at last, the grim humourless spectre who loves not beauty, and is not of this world. And we know that the house of youth and of love became a house of death, and that memories bitter as the tears of a beautiful woman a.s.sailed the dreamer within. And at last he himself left that house of mourning and sought solace among the stars. But the house remains a vision out of a magical book; a thing seen darkly as in a looking-gla.s.s; but lovely beyond the dreams of mortals, and ineffably sad.