Judge, 1910-12-03 · page 21 of 52
Judge — December 3, 1910 — page 21: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This satirical poem addresses the 1907-1908 financial panic and its social consequences. Santa Claus reads that parents, shopkeepers, and the general public—devastated by Wall Street's collapse—have abandoned Christmas spending and lost faith in both Santa and celebration itself. Santa responds by withdrawing his services, issuing circulars declaring he'll withhold Christmas trees from non-believers. This shock therapy works: realizing their foolishness, the public reverses course. Parents, shopkeepers, and children reconcile with Santa and resume Christmas commerce—ordering "from penny whistles to diamond rings." The satire critiques how economic panic triggers mass psychological collapse and loss of faith, while suggesting that consumer spending and belief in Santa (and by extension, American optimism) are interdependent. The "solution" ironically involves returning to the very consumption that preceded the crisis—a commentary on American materialism and cyclical economic behavior.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
A Rebised Opinion Bp Carolyn Wells LD SANTA CLAUS, in his Sat in his «: And as the Daily News he read; He suddenly shook his grizzled head. And said, “Well, I declare! It's come to a fine pass, I must say, When the people on Earth can talk this way The parents are saying times are hard, And against all extravagance they must guard From boss to mechanic They say that the panic Has so affected their bank account That they can’t afford the smallest amc unt For the celebration of Christmas Day! A pretty kettle of fish! I say! The shopkeepers, full of fears and scares, Have decided to buy no Christmas wares! Just think of the shops Without dolls or tops, Or trumpets, or drums, or wagons, or toys, Or candies, or trinkets for girls and boys! Oh, me! oh, my! To think that I Should live to see such a Christmas as this, Just because Wall Street went amiss! Well, there's one thing sure! If the people are poor, This celebration is up to me, And I'll take h child a Christmas tree. He flung on his coat and his big fur hat, And he said, “I'll look after each little chap But st. ¥ is? I further read Well, well! oho 1 indeed! The modem child is at a loss To know what to think about Santa Claus! way home They say they believe there isn't any! And this belief is shared by many! Oh, ho! Ah, ha!" the old Saint chuckled. He took off his cap, and his belt he unbuckled. * Any child who has lost his faith in me May look in vain for a Christmas tree!"” Then the Saint sent circulars all about: AN ‘TION! There scems to be a doubt of my existerce So I'll keep my distance! Of course you will not mind the loss, As you don’t believe in SANTA CLAUS, Then the people, as you readily guess, Realized their own foolishness. 2 anta Claus?"” they said in scom, ve known him ever since we were And the children cried, with eager plaint, “Come back, come back, you dear old Saint!”* The fathers and mothers at once began A Christmas celebration to plan, Saying, * We'll make it a merry day And economize in some other way.” The shopkeepers ordered lots of things, From penny whistles to diamond rings. And every store Had to order more; And they flew as if on wings The Christmas spirit pervaded the air, And peace and good-will were everywhere. And all be The children belie comicbooks.com