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Labour's Tom Watson attacks 'spiteful' expulsion of Alastair Campbell
Discomfort for Corbyn as #expelmetoo movement gains traction on Twitter
Wed, May 29, 2019, 09:16 Updated: Wed, May 29, 2019, 18:42
George Parker in London
Alastair Campbell speaks to the media outside his home in north London on Tuesday after he was expelled from the Labour Party for voting for the Liberal Democrats in the European elections. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire
Tom Watson, the Labour Party's deputy leader, has condemned as "spiteful" the party's decision to expel Alastair Campbell after the veteran former spin-doctor admitted he voted Liberal Democrat in last week's European elections.
Mr Watson's criticism came as scores of Labour members took to social media under the #expelmetoo hashtag, daring the opposition party to carry out a mass purge of those who voted for parties that want the UK to remain in the EU.
Jeremy Corbyn's equivocal position on Brexit prompted a huge protest vote by Labour members last week, with many backing the Lib Dems and Greens, who back a second EU referendum. The Lib Dems polled 20 per cent, Labour 14 and Greens 12.
Mr Campbell, former head of communications for then prime minister Tony Blair, was expelled from the party after he admitted on the BBC that he had voted Lib Dem, adding it was the first time in his life he had not voted Labour.
Mr Watson, who wants Mr Corbyn to come out strongly for a second EU referendum, said the party should be "listening rather than punishing". He called for an "amnesty" for those who voted for other parties in despair at Labour's Brexit policy.
To add to Mr Corbyn's discomfort, people claiming to be Labour members made public on Twitter their decision to vote for the Lib Dems and Greens, challenging the party to throw them out too.
Alastair Campbell expelled from Labour Party after voting for Lib Dems
Government to spell out how no-deal Brexit would affect budget
Bercow says MPs will have a say on no-deal Brexit
The #expelmetoo movement, an attempt to overwhelm the Labour disciplinary machinery, put a 21st century social media twist on the "I am Spartacus" moment in the Hollywood blockbuster about the first century BC gladiator.
Former Labour home secretary Charles Clarke, former member of parliament Fiona Mactaggart and former defence secretary Bob Ainsworth came forward to declare they had voted for different parties.
Anti-Semitism issue
Louise Ellman, a senior Labour MP, said the party had been quick to expel Mr Campbell but had allowed "festering" anti-Semitism – the party's treatment of that issue is now being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
Charles Falconer, a former Labour lord chancellor, accused Mr Corbyn's leadership team of being behind the "politically explosive" decision to throw out Mr Campbell, a controversial figure because of his role in advising Mr Blair during the Iraq war.
However, a Labour spokesman said: "Publicly declaring or encouraging support for another candidate or party is against the rules and is incompatible with party membership."
Critics of Mr Corbyn claimed the party was adopting double standards, pointing to a tweet by the Labour leader in 2012 in which he congratulated George Galloway on his "astonishing result" in beating Labour in a Bradford byelection.
Mr Corbyn has so far refused to commit Labour explicitly to backing a second EU referendum, saying instead that the option was on the table but the party's preference was for a general election.
The Labour leader's allies said Mr Corbyn remained committed to "a public vote", although Mr Watson and others want him to argue for a second referendum and to pledge the party to supporting a Remain vote.
Michael Heseltine, former Conservative deputy prime minister, lost his party's whip in the House of Lords after he announced he would be voting for the Lib Dems in protest at his party's stance on Brexit. – Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2019
Andrew Mackinlay
Bob Ainsworth
Charles Clarke
5 Boris Johnson's kipper claim is a total red herring, says EU


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Home › v/a- BROWN ACID: THE TENTH TRIP LP (colour vinyl)
Riding Easy
v/a- BROWN ACID: THE TENTH TRIP LP (colour vinyl)
Limited edition colour vinyl.
Here we are, arriving at the tenth edition of Brown Acid in just half as many years! As always, we packed in the highest highs of the dankest hard rock, heavy psych, and proto-metal tracks previously lost to the sands of time. Like we've done throughout this series, all of these tracks were painstakingly licensed legitimately and the artists were paid. It's hard to believe we're already up to 10 volumes of this lysergic Neanderthal wail, but the long-lost jams just keep-a-coming like Texas crude to fuel your rock 'n' roll engine and melt your metal mind.
This Trip kicks off with the Hammer of the Gods howl of "Plastic Thunder" by Bitter Creek. The Atlanta, GA quintet's lone single from 1970 on Mark IV Records is rated #6 of the Top 50 Heaviest Songs Before Black Sabbath by GuitarWorld Magazine. You can hear why in the ominous riff and larynx-ravaging chorus that merges the deepest of Deep Purple sludge with The Who's rollicking psychedelia.
Not much is known about The Brood's 1969 bluesy paean to dirtbag weed consumption "The Roach" on the It's A Lemon imprint, except that it's a big, growling rocker with a crazed in-the-round blowout of wailing guitar solos, screeching organ blasts, wildly overlapping vocals and drum rolls for days.
Nova Scotia, Canada sextet Brothers and One's double-entendre laden single "Hard On Me" certainly pushes the boundaries of what would be acceptable at the time (especially amongst their ever-polite Canadian brethren.) Their lone full length was released in 1970 on short-lived Audat label, the group featuring two sets of brothers (hence the name) recorded the album while all members were between age 13-18-years-old. This glam-influenced single was privately released on the band's own label nearly 4 years later.
Louisville, KY quartet Conception's excellent revision of Blue Cheer's "Babylon" (1969, Perfection Records) adds heavy phaser effect on the guitar and a more driving rhythm to make the song entirely their own. Lead guitar and high harmony vocals by Charlie Day (not to be confused with the Sunny Philadelphian actor) are assertive and commanding as he implores listeners onward to hallucinagenic nirvana.
Not exactly a typically psychedelic band name for the era, but First State Bank's "Mr. Sun" (1970, Music Mill) pays hearty dividends of boogie bustle. The Central Texas band led by guitarist/vocalist Randy Nunnally released only 3 singles in its career from 1970-1976. For those keeping score at home, their song "Before You Leave" was featured on The Third Trip back in 2016. "Mr. Sun" is the heavy B-Side to "Coming Home To You."
Clearly inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Tucson quartet Frozen Sun topped the local charts in 1969 with this barnstorming rocker "Electric Soul" (Capt. Zoomer Records.) The song is replete with guitarist/vocalist (with big Hendrix hair) Ron Ryan's spoken interlude, "Well have you been electrically stoned? You know, living in the danger zone?" We say yes.
Ralph Williams and the Wright Brothers took flight with "Never Again" on Hour Glass Records in 1972, and apparently never landed after this 45 with "Dark Street" on the A-side. The serpentine riff and sexually-charged backing vocal grunts drive this archetypal tale of a young man's chemical odyssey… or, should we say, trip?
Sounds Synonymous pretty much epitomized heavy fuzz from Michigan with their 1969 single "Tension" on the Wall Productions label. The Hendrix "Fire" meets Arthur Brown's "Fire" track lunges and lurches with glee throughout its 3-minutes and change of unbridled crunch. Tabernash's "Head Collect" (1972) is the suburban Denver quartet's only release following the name change from The Contents Are and a move from Davenport, IA. This more stately psych-rock chune features Byrds-like harmonies, twangy reverse-looped guitar soloing and Keith Moon-esque drumming that should've made it a chart-topper, but we all know there's no justice in rock'n'roll.
The Tenth Trip closes, appropriately, with the "War Pigs" reminiscent fuzz of New Orleans quartet The Rubber Memory's 1970 tune "All Together." The band self-released only 110 copies of their lone album, making it an incredibly sought-after rarity for decades. Alongside a limited edition reissue in 2000, the group reformed for a one-off show before quickly bouncing back into our collective cosmic consciousness.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Mets Blogger Roundtable: Should Callaway Be On The Hot Seat
When a team disappoints, the manager will be on the hot seat. So far this year, the Mets are one game under .500, the organization had a meeting to discuss what was wrong with Mickey Callaway and to see if there are things the team can do to prevent a repeat of what happened last year. Considering how the team traded away all those prospects in a clear win-now move, it does not seem Callaway is going to stand on firm footing.
The question is whether Callaway should be on the hot seat. The Mets Bloggers offer their views:
There's no question about it. I never like to blame the roster or it's issues on the manager, but the fact remains they have under-performed to this point in the season. The schedule has been rough, but that's not an excuse for good teams. And the decision making in the dugout continues to be perplexing at its best, which only exacerbates the problems they have. I think there could be action taken if the Mets don't come through what should be a lighter 16 games heading into Memorial Day over .500.
Tim Ryder (MMO)
Unfortunately, yes, I think he should be. His players appear to enjoy playing for him. But if the results aren't there, despite his players' support, he's gonna have a hard time sticking around.
Joe Maracic (Joe Art Studio)
I never want to see someone lose their job but Mickey should be on the hot seat. Back to back seasons of starting strong then fading is not a good sign. He was a pitching coach and has been anything but creative handling the staff.
Should he be? Yes, this team was built to get off to a fast start and should have, despite the injuries. I like Mickey, seems to be a good man who the players seem to like. But that sounds like how people described Terry Collins for the majority of his tenure. Will he be? Hard to tell. Brodie didn't hire him, and Jeff Wilpon is reactive, so if the team starts creeping toward being 10 games under, a change will be made.
Here's the rub for me; the heir apparent is Jim Riggleman, who is the living embodiment of a retread. Not much winning in his background, but a get along, go along persona that will fit right in with an organization that thinks scripting the lineup is the way to run the day-to-day. Think a more assertive, more veteran type of skipper is needed in New York, esp a team that has a perception of not being "all in" financially. A guy who can get more out of players, a guy who has the confidence to walk into his office, see a lineup on his desk, and choose to write up his own if he feels it will be a better one.
He will be, but he shouldn't be. I think he should get the season and I think that's probably going to be it for him. But this team started struggling when it stopped hitting. The players that stopped hitting were Brodie's acquisitions. They may come out of it and when they do, everything will be fine again. Callaway hasn't been the best, but we're living in an age where front offices are taking more of a role in how a manager does his job and makes more decisions than ever. More of what makes a manager successful these days is having a good bench coach. So a manager does less and less, right? Then why now, when we look at fall guys, do we still look at the manager? And if Callaway goes, who replaces him long term, assuming Riggleman is the interim for the season? Is it going to be Joe Girardi or Buck Showalter or Wally Backman? Can you picture the Wilpons hiring a strong personality like that? Okay, so Callaway's long term replacement is probably going to be somebody else just like Callaway. So my quesion is: what's the point? Fire Callaway if you want. It won't do much. This is the way we're going in baseball now. GMs and team presidents are the stars of the show now. The only question is how long are they going to get away with using managers as scapegoats before people pull back the curtain and realize that front offices have most of the responsibility these days anyway?
The hot seat is a terrible concept, but Mickey Callaway hasn't been much of a manager.
To me, it seems like too many fans judge managers mostly based on whether or not they look like Lou Brown from "Major League." I've seen a lot of people saying things like "Mickey has no fire" or "this team isn't hungry enough," or things like that, but I think the simple truth is that we hit a bunch of offensive skids (Robinson Cano, Michael Conforto, Pete Alonso, Wilson Ramos, Jeff McNeil to an extent, Todd Frazier, J.D. Davis, Brandon Nimmo) and not many teams could overcome that. To me, the manager barely matters at all, and in terms of actual managing, I'd say Mickey has been pretty much solid so far. If there was someone else who could make the team better, I'd say sure, go out and get them — but I don't think the manager is where our problems are coming from right now, and our problem certainly isn't some ridiculous 1950s-style intangible, like "not wanting it more," that could be fixed if we just brought in a guy with a beer gut and a mustache who cursed a lot.
Lou Brown was an analytics pioneer. Knew exactly how many wins the Tribe would need to take the division.
Oh, believe me…the moment the Mets call the California Penal League and sign a big arm with no control who doesn't realize he needs glasses, Lou Brown is the guy you want.
Until then, though…
There are many and varied valid criticisms of Callaway. Personally, I find his willingness to just burn pinch hitters late in game to be a bizarre move, especially when the front office routinely gives him short benches. But when you look at it, this is the team the front office gave him.
There's no amount of managing Callaway can do to make Cano younger, or to make players who are playing through injuries, like Nimmo, play better. Also, when a team buys into Chili Davis' offensive approach like the Mets seemingly have so far, you begin to realize this is more a problem of design than execution.
When looking at Callaway, you do see a team continuing to play hard, and you do see the team pitching well. These are two areas which could be attributable to Callaway. You also see a manager handling the bullpen much better than he did last year. Taking a long term view, the real strength of this team is the pitching, and it has been Callaway and Dave Eiland who has taken them to the next level.
What the Mets need to do before even considering putting Callaway on the hot seat for the inherent flaws in this roster, is they need to figure out who they can hire to keep Eiland around even if they fire Callaway. Short of Girardi, is there really anyone? Of course, the next step is to figure out why Girardi would make this team his last stop or how exactly the Mets plan to pay him.
No matter what the Mets decide with Callaway, this great group of fans and bloggers aren't going anywhere. You should do yourself a favor and follow the links to their sites to read their great analysis of Callaway and all things Mets.
Brandon Nimmo , Chili Davis , Dave Eiland , J.D. Davis , Jeff McNeil , Jim Riggleman , Michael Conforto , Mickey Callaway , Peter Alonso , Robinson Cano , Terry Collins , Todd Frazier , Wilson Ramos
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Why Is Attendance Down?
It's another year, and attendance is once again down in baseball. That is troubling because last year saw baseball have a significant drop in attendance. There are many different theories being offered, and to date no one seems to be able to pinpoint anything. The Mets Bloggers offer their perspective:
The cost is always a factor. Even in the small to mid-markets, its very expensive to go to any given game. I think there's also the issue of a decline in interest among America's youth which is factoring in, as well as the pace of play which is creating longer games.
The one reason for me is that April weather has been getting progressively worse over the last several years. Nobody, especially casual fans — who are always the reason why attendance jumps — is going to sit through cold and wet night baseball in April. More days games would make for better fan experience in April, but we all know that won't happen.
For April it's distractions of spring break, holidays and the weather.
It's hard to argue on behalf of attending baseball games on frigid April nights. Kudos to Americans from coast to coast for having the sense to stay in out of the cold where applicable. You also have to factor in inventory: it's not like there won't be more games later to consider investing in (and it is an investment). If you were inventing this sport's season today, you'd probably start it later, end it sooner and have less of it. Not that the likes of us would give back a single inning, mind you.
I'd say the watching-at-home experience has reached such a high-water mark – at least for Mets fans – that the added cost of seeing the game in person just isn't worth it for most fans. I'll go to a game or two per home-stand, but my days of season/partial packages are long behind me.
Bre S. (That Mets Chick)
I think that the weather has played a factor in attendance being down. I try to avoid going to April games (besides opening day) because it's just too cold/windy and unbearable to sit and watch in that kind of weather. It could also be the teams performance so far. Our starting rotation has been the complete opposite of what we all expected. No one wants to sit through a cold game and see Noah Syndergaard let up 6 runs. As mentioned by Michael Baron, cost could also be a factor but if fans really wanted to go to games they could purchase after market tickets for cheap on StubHub or vivid seats. This circles back to weather. If cost is not a factor, do fans really want to go to a game in April when it's freezing outside?
Much like with the rookie having a torrid start or a veteran not getting a quick jump out of the gate, we should not draw any conclusions from April. There are weather, school, holiday, and other familial issues. There are fans not trusting their team's hot or slow start. If these numbers hold true through Memorial Day, there's an issue.
But right now, we don't know if there is an issue in 2019. What we do know is that there is a Commissioner ill-suited to handling this problem, especially because he is more upfront advertising what he deems to be baseball's biggest problems than what about is great about the game.
Overall, no matter what the situation, these bloggers love the game, and you should be visiting their sites to get their unique input on this and other Mets news.
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Which NL East Team Scares You Most?
It has been less than a month, but the Mets have already faced each National League opponent at least once. As anticipated, the Mets beat up on the Marlins. Against the tougher teams in the division, teams the Mets are likely going to battle all year long for the division, the Mets are so far 7-7.
Having seen each of these teams, we have asked the Mets bloggers which National League East team scares them most after having seen them each up close and personal:
None are scary in April. Until they prove otherwise I think the Nats.
Pete McCarthy (OABT)
None are scary. Still think Nats are best.
Philadelphia … because their lineup is deep and you saw what they did to Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matz in Citizens Bank Shoebox. I think in the end their bullpen will keep them from running away from the pack. But that lineup is going to give everybody some problems.
They all looked good in their most recent series versus the Mets, none of which the Mets won. They each deserve to be respected. No point fearing any of them.
I agree w Greg, it's going to be a four-team scrum all year. Mets are just as good, need to make less mistakes.
Every NL East contender has flaws, the Mets included. I'm not overly concerned with the other teams. I'm more worried about the Mets reaching their full potential as a group. To answer your question, I think Philadelphia poses the biggest threat in the division.
While the records say different, it's the Nationals. They have the most talent in their rotation and their lineup. When it comes to the Phillies and Braves, there is not enough pitching. Surprisingly, the Phillies may be the team which scares me the least because seeing them, you see a heavily flawed team with big personalities (Bryce Harper, Jake Arrieta, Jean Segura) who could tear that clubhouse apart, especially with an overmatched manager like Gabe Kapler.
That said, unless the Mets do something about Jason Vargas and the complete lack of starting pitching depth, it may not matter. To that extent, it may be the Mets who are scariest of all.
Again, thank you to all who have contributed, and once again I encourage all who read this to visit the sites of those who have contributed because they write very good and interesting things about this Mets team.
Jason Vargas , Noah Syndergaard , Steven Matz
Mets Blogger Roundtable: The Mets Who Got Away
With Jacob deGrom receiving his contract extension, it appears he is going to be a Mets pitcher during his prime, and it sets the stage for him to join David Wright and Ed Kranepool as Mets for life. With that being the bulk of the list, there is a host of Mets players who got away. The most famous of which was Tom Seaver who headlined the Midnight Massacre. Putting Seaver aside, the Mets bloggers discussed those players who got away:
Honestly in recent memory John Olerud comes to mind. He had one of the best pure swings I can remember. Other than that I guess you have to bring up Daniel Murphy and Justin Turner, but who saw those coming?
Daniel Murphy is the most recent Met to have gotten away. And, I've heard there are people in the front office who would like a mulligan on that one as well. Having him in 2016 and 2017 would've been huge, and not having him kill the Mets in DC would have been huge too.
Allison McCague (Amazin' Avenue)
To me the most egregious example of a Met getting away is Justin Turner, simply by virtue of how little it would have cost to keep him. Of course, it was impossible to know that he would put up the numbers he did after leaving the Mets, but unlike the Murphy situation where it was a choice not to sign the player as a free agent, they non-tendered a perfectly serviceable utility man just because they didn't want to pay him and trashed his character on the way out for good measure. I think a dark horse candidate in this conversation, however, would be Collin McHugh, who changed his approach after joining the Astros by throwing his fastball less often and his off-speed pitches more often to much greater success than he ever had as a Met. And now he remains a key piece in the Astros bullpen as they head into another season where they will likely make a push for the postseason.
I'll give you Justin Turner for sure. What irks me is he's a good guy and even in the form he was in when he was here, was a valuable piece for the solution. That he evolved thanks to the tutelage of Marlon Byrd while he was here makes it even worse, since this version of Justin Turner would've unquestionably transformed the Mets.
Darren O'Day … just because we lost the Rule 5 pick because Omar Minaya didn't want to put Mike Pelfrey on the disabled list. That still triggers me.
Joe Hietpas! Got to take the field, but then left without ever getting to bat…he's Moonlight Graham!
Olerud; he was a far superior player to Todd Zeile. Just look at his seasons 2000-02; think he would have helped? In my opinion, if Mets have Olerud, they win 2000 World Series. My God, remember the Zeile farewell tour? Infamnia!
I'm gonna hesitantly go with Melvin Mora. The guy he got traded away for, Mike Bordick, was a fine pickup and helped that 2000 team get over the hump, no doubt. But Mora went on to have a solid little career and Bordick was back in Baltimore via free agency the following season.
The Mets let 18-year-old Paul Blair go to the Orioles in the minor league draft of 1962. Blair played 18 seasons in the majors, winning eight Gold Gloves as the premier AL center fielder of his generation.
Then again, had the Mets kept Blair, they wouldn't have needed to trade for Tommie Agee prior to 1968, and Agee robbed Blair in the 1969 Series, so all's well that ended well, perhaps.
I thought Nolan Ryan was the only answer to this question, but there are some fun ones in here. Yay Mets!
Mark Healey
Far be it from me to disagree with you Pete but Ryan wanted out as much as the Mets were frustrated with him. It wasn't so much that they traded Ryan and he became a Hall of Famer after it's what they traded him for.
Metstradamus
Scott Kazmir would like a word.
There is always going to be a part of me who wonders what would have happened if the Mets kept Darryl Strawberry. He would have one good year in Los Angeles before everything fell apart for both him and the Mets. For those who forget, the Mets opted to replace him with Vince Coleman, who was detestable as a Met, and it lead to a series of poor decisions which built as bad and unlikable a Mets team as we have ever seen. For Strawberry, his personal problems were far worse than anything the Mets encountered.
Looking at everything, there are a number of mistakes like trading Jeff Kent for Carlos Baerga, but that at least indirectly led to the team signing Robin Ventura. Murphy leaving transferred the balance of power back to the Nationals.
But overall, the one which comes to mind right now is Matt Harvey. For Harvey, it was more than trading him for Devin Mesoraco. It was everything. The 2013 version looked like future Hall of Fame. The 2015 version looked like a staff ace. The ramifications of that 2015 season were far reaching, and we never saw Harvey return, literally and figuratively.
Before you go away from this piece, please sure you click on the links and visit the sites of those who have taken their time to contribute to this roundtable.
Also, a very special congratulations to Pete McCarthy and his wife on the birth of their baby girl!
Carlos Baerga , Collin McHugh , Daniel Murphy , Darren O'Day , Darryl Strawberry , David Wright , Devim Mesoraco , Ed Kranepool , Jacob deGrom , Jeff Kent , Joe Hietpas , John Olerud , Justin Turner , Marlon Byrd , Matt Harvey , Melvin Mora , Mike Bordick , Mike Pelfrey , Nolan Ryan , Paul Blair , Robin Ventura , Scott Kazmir , Todd Zeile , Tom Seaver , Tommie Agee , Vince Coleman
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Which Mets Will Surprise in 2019
The long winter is over and Opening Day is just three days away. During the 2019 season, we are sure to see some ups and downs, and there will be players who will surprise us over the course of the season. In this latest edition of the Mets Blogger Roundtable, we discussed which players we believe will surprise us and all of baseball during the 2019 season:
I don't think Met fans would be surprised by anybody having a good year, because we're looking hard at everybody. In terms of the baseball world, I think the surprise would be Amed Rosario. He had a down season but his last two months and his spring would be great. I think around baseball, nobody is really expecting much from him but he could surprise in the way that he might live up to his potential in his second full season.
Though I think the surprise will be Noah Syndergaard. Not that it would shock anyone if he had a good or even great season, but I think he could have "that" season. Like … Jacob deGrom type season. That would even surprise Mets fans, but I think it has a chance of happening.
I totally agree on Syndergaard. When you actually watch his highlight videos, so much of the time he's just completely untouchable. If he finally has "that" season, where he pitches up to his potential almost every start, he's easily a Cy Young candidate.
Another candidate — Juan Lagares? He's never been an offensive star, but I've always thought he looked better than replacement-level as a hitter. I don't think he'll bat .300 or hit 30 (or even 20) home runs, but if he finally plays close to regularly and replicates or slightly improves on his 2014 performance — say, .280/.320/.380 — he'll be an enormous asset. Remember: his defense has stayed fantastic (positive dWAR every year), and last season, in 30 games, he looked like a legitimate professional hitter.
I'd agree with Rosario as the best "surprise" candidate. Has tremendous ability but hasn't put it all together besides the occasional flashes. Think he can take another step forward and grow into more than a decent defender who bats at the bottom of the order.
I'm sticking with Jason Vargas as my pleasant surprise this season. His strong second half last year and, for the most part, lights out spring are both very encouraging signs. As long as he sticks to his game (slow and low, that is the tempo), pitching behind four fireballers in deGrom, Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler, and Steven Matz, I really feel like he's gonna be successful. A high threes-to-low four ERA out of your fifth starter is a great thing. Hopefully, he can find a rhythm and contribute consistently.
From two sides: Robinson Cano, for having more left than we suspect.
Ryan O'Rourke, as that useful bullpen arm we didn't necessarily see coming.
My initial instinct was to peg players like Dominic Smith and Gavin Cecchini, but ultimately, I am not sure they are going to receive sufficient enough playing time to really get a chance to surprise anyone or even establish themselves.
One player who should receive an opportunity is Luis Guillorme. Last year, he did establish himself as an adept pinch hitter, and with him being in better shape, he should play excellent defense at second, third, and short. With the injuries to Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie (especially Lowrie), he's going to get that opportunity too. He's the type of guy who could breakthrough and become a fan favorite this season.
While we may see Guillorme as a surprise, what is not a surprise is the excellent content from these bloggers. Please take the time to visit their sites and enjoy their excellent work.
Amed Rosario , Dominic Smith , Gavin Cecchini , Jacob deGrom , Jason Vargas , Jed Lowrie , Juan Lagares , Luis Guillorme , Noah Syndergaard , Robinson Cano , Ryan O'Rourke , Steven Matz , Todd Frazier , Zack Wheeler
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Should The Mets Bring Back The Black Jerseys?
While this is the 50th Anniversary of the 1969 Miracle Mets, it is also the 20th anniversary of the 1999 Mets. As part of the 1969 celebration, it appears we will finally get to the Tom Seaver statute Mets fans have been clamoring for over the past decade. However, it does not appear there will be similar celebrations for the first Mets team to make consecutive postseasons this year.
You could present the argument the Mets could do something subtle like dusting off the black jerseys and wearing them like the Mets wore the old racing stripe jerseys three years ago. Of course, the mere mention of bringing back those jerseys tends to set off a firestorm. With that in mind, our roundtable answers the question as to whether the Mets should ever bring back the black jerseys in any way, shape, or form:
Only the black hats with blue brim.
I wouldn't completely bring them back but it would be cool to see them on occasion. The Mets wore the 86 racing stripes in 2016 on Sundays. It would be nice to see them maybe on Friday nights. (Sunday day games might be too hot for black uniforms).
I love the black jerseys, but it's strange because until last September, David Wright would have been the last active Met to wear them. Now, as far as I can tell, assuming Jose Reyes is done, the only remaining Mets who wore the black jerseys during their original run are Jason Vargas — maybe — and Carlos Gomez — probably. That's nothing against the jerseys; it's just a hell of a thought that Juan Lagares is the longest tenured Met, and the current Mets who go back the farthest as Mets are Jason Vargas and Carlos Gomez. I guess my point is yes, absolutely bring back the black jerseys, but also wow, what a weird, crazy world we live in.
I'm not nostalgic about the black unis, especially since we only stopped wearing them seven years ago. I can't get nostalgic about a uniform that a truckload of Mets fans complained about when they actually wore them. Love the blues much better and would rather wear those on Friday nights.
That said, if you want to bring the black unis back to mark an anniversary, save them until next season. This season belongs to '69. A truly historic team like that deserves the entire season. Sneaking in a '99 tribute seems odd to me. Instead, honor the 2000 team. They are probably the most underappreciated team in Mets history. Partly because the '99 team overshadows them, and partly because they lost to the Yankees, who overshadow everybody. I understand that the roster was essentially the same, but the 2000 team never even got so much as a congratulatory rally at Shea Stadium. A good amount of pennant winners who lost the World Series at least got that, and I think the Mets would have had that if they had lost to anybody except the Yankees. They deserve their due. (Even Armando Benitez.) So I say do it next season.
Wear period uniforms when they induct Alfonzo, Valentine and Leiter into the team Hall of Fame. Also, induct Edgardo Alfonzo, Bobby Valentine and Al Leiter into the team Hall of Fame.
Come 2022, I'd endorse doing for the 60th anniversary what the Reds are doing for their 125th, sprinkling in different throwbacks throughout the season, the black ones included.
Greg, I thought of that too. If we want to have throwbacks for years ending in 9, give us the '69 unis, the black unis, but also the two button pullovers from '79 and the Mark Carreon specials from '89.
I do like the special days one. Personally, I thought Piazza's 31 should've been in black.
Greg Prince
Decade Nights or whatever shouldn't take that much imagination to pull off.
It also requires a tacit admission that the Mets existed in years besides 1969, 1986 and the current year.
I was never a huge fan of the black jerseys but if it makes the Mets money they may bring them back. Seems like so many sports teams had a black third jersey and it kind of got played out. From a design point of view, you use black as a shortcut to make the uniform look better… but it doesn't always work.
James Schapiro
The real question: black uniforms or snow-whites?
James, black over the snow whites. Not close.
Whites were always too Brooklyn Dodgers for me
I dare the Mets to bring back the 1997 ice cream hats for one game in 2022. The pillbox hats from 1976. And, of course, the Mercury Mets getup from 1999.
I actually liked the ice cream hats on their own. With the white jerseys, they were terrible
They had a chance to bring back Mercury Mets on the 20th anniversary. Of course they blew it.
Mercury Mets would be ideal for 2021. That was the date of "the future," in 1999.
I'm torn on the black. I did like them, but like always, the team ruined the concept by never truly executing the look properly. The hybrid cap, black with blue bill was atrocious, & did not match the jersey. (Sorry, Pete). They also de-emphasised blue in criminal fashion, wearing the home uniform with black undershirts / sleeves and socks made the team look hideous. If they bring them back, which they will, the all black cap and special one Tim only snow White pants (it looks terrible with the pinstripe pants) is the only way the jersey should be worn. Also Mercury Mets = infamnia.
But I hate the introduction of black as a major element because it ruined the rest of the uniform. That the Mets wore this monstrosity at home in the World Series still irritates me to no end. Hybrid cap, black undershirt, black drop shadow = again, infamnia
I hated the cap, I really, really hate it. If Mets bring back this hideous thing, then I vote No on black alts.
On the hat, I agree. As I noted previously, the hats need updating. I also think the jerseys themselves were overused. If the Mets were so inclined, I think bringing them back for Friday nights may be the best possible solution, mostly because I associate the Friday night black jerseys with Mike Piazza hitting that home run to cap off a 10 run rally against the Braves.
Overall, this was one of my favorite roundtables thus far, and I hope this roundtable encourages you to check out the excellent work of the people who contributed to this roundtable.
Al Leiter , Armando Benitez , Bobby Valentine , Carlos Gomez , David Wright , Edgardo Alfonzo , Jason Vargas , Jose Reyes , Juan Lagares , Mark Carreon , Tom Seaver
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Who Should The Mets Bring Back To The Organization?
This offseason, the Mets have begun hiring some former fan favorites as special advisors to Brodie Van Wagenen. David Wright was the first with the team recently hiring Al Leiter and John Franco. We have also seen the team swap Nelson Figueroa with Todd Zeile for the postgame. In addition to those moves, Mike Piazza made his annual stop at Spring Training.
Seeing how the Mets are focusing more on their history, and recent history at that, you wonder who exactly the team will bring back next. We answer that question in our latest roundtable:
I want to see Justin Turner come back and play third base.
My list of ex-Mets I'd welcome back in some capacity is too numerous to detail. I love the idea that these guys are forever part of the family as applicable.
I'd like to see Carlos Delgado back representing the Mets in some capacity. His dedication to his craft (remember that notebook he wrote in after every at-bat?) would play well in this young-ish clubhouse, as well as through the organization.
Does Jarred Kelenic count?
Really though, this is more of an overall thought than a concrete idea, but Billy Wagner is one of the least-recognized greats in baseball history. By pretty much any measure he's the second best modern-style closer of all time, and he's already pretty much forgotten. I'm not sure the Mets should be the ones to honor him, but someone needs to.
Previously, I opined how Johan Santana could be a real difference maker in the organization if he were able to teach pitchers his changeup much in the same way he once did with Jacob deGrom. However, from a pure standpoint of wanting to bring a player back into the fold, I would like to see Carlos Beltran return to the Mets.
As it stands, Beltran is going to be in a position where he can choose a Royals, Mets, or a blank cap when he is inducted into the Hall of Fame. When you're the Mets, and you only have two Hall of Famers in Tom Seaver and Piazza, and Seaver is no longer making public appearances, it would see a team should do all they can do to bring one of those Hall of Famers back to Queens.
Once again, I appreciate each of these writers taking their time to contribute to these roundtables, and I hope each person who reads this takes the time to visit the other writers sites to see their excellent work.
Al Leiter , Billy Wagner , Carlos Beltran , Carlos Delgado , David Wright , Jacob deGrom , Jarred Kelenic , Johan Santana , John Franco , Justin Turner , Todd Zeile , Tom Seaver
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Most Bizarre Mets Injuries
With reports Brandon Nimmo getting sick from cooking his own chicken dinner, it does inspire many to say, "Same old Mets!" Certainly, the Mets have had their fair share of bizarre injuries and illnesses over their 57 year history. There are plenty of stories, and the Mets bloggers share some of the more infamous in Mets history:
I love Noah Syndergaard, but the hand, foot and mouth disease is easily the standout injury in recent memory for me.
Valley Fever…and it's not close. Single-handedly ended Ike Davis' career.
I'll bring up Ryan Church here. Not that a concussion is bizarre, but putting him on an airplane to Denver and then Snoop Manuel surreptitiously chastising him for not being tough enough to handle it will always be the benchmark for bizarre in Flushing.
Gotta go with what happened to reliever Ken Sanders between innings one Sunday afternoon in 1975: "I was taking my warm up pitches and lost the return throw from John Stearns and it hit me directly in my right eye. I never touched it. It actually knocked me out. There was no action on the field at the time of the accident."
Do Mackey Sasser's yips count? I'd have to go with Matt Harvey's bladder infection due to holding in his pee. Only the Mets.
Sasser hit .297/.328/.416 from 1988 thru 1990. Once his head got the best of him, everything came crashing down. The conventional injuries didn't help either.
Weirdest Mets illness: Ike Davis, valley fever in 2012. Valley Fever is an infection that is released from the dirt in desert regions of the Southwest and is inhaled. It can be stirred up by construction and winds.
Fast forward to 2014 and Davis still complained about having Valley fever! Its mind boggling how that infection stayed with him throughout the years. "You have no energy, no nothing. It was definitely a weird one. It's supposed to go away on its own, but when I had an X-ray last year, it showed I still had it. I'm hoping that's over and done with." – Ike Davis
It's gotta be "Valley Fever," for me…it's got all the hallmarks of a Mets injury. It's a disease that sounds fake, like it's almost a parody, and also sounds like a cruel act of God.
Strangely enough, Ike's other injury is high on the list too — the time the training staff had him wear a walking boot nonstop, and it turned out the boot was basically suffocating his ankle, and it turned into him missing the 2011 season and pretty much ended his career. That…that's the Mets right there.
Jerry Blevins slipping over a curb and re-breaking his arm. Sure, you can understand his arm breaking when he was hit with a comebacker, but a professional athlete breaking the arm again slipping on a curb takes the cake.
What's interesting here is we had no mention of Tom Glavine losing his front teeth in a cab ride. What's interesting to note with him is that while he thought that to be heart breaking, he was not devastated after killing the 2007 Mets season. Speaking of cab rides, we should never forget Duaner Sanchez.
There are many, many more here to list. We all know them, especially those who have participated in these roundtables. They know much more than the injuries, which is yet another reason to visit their sites and read their quality work.
Brandon Nimmo , Duaner Sanchez , Ike Davis , Jerry Blevins , Jerry Manuel , John Stearns , Ken Sanders , Mackey Sasser , Matt Harvey , Noah Syndergaard , Ryan Church , Tom Glavine
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Have You Noticed Wright's Absence
For the first time since 2004, David Wright is not in Spring Training with an eye towards being the Mets third baseman. Sadly, that went by the wayside when he played his last few games as a member of the Mets last year. Since that time, Wright has joined the front office, and he has not been the typical fixture in camp. Surely, the players notice it, especially Noah Syndergaard at lunch time.
But while people may feel it, there does seem to be a level of business as usual. After all, Robinson Cano has Wright's old locker, and the third base position is a battle of sorts between Todd Frazier and Jed Lowrie. Really, there is a lot going on right now. With all that is going on, there is a question about how much you have noticed Wright's absence.
There's definitely a different vibe at camp this year. Is it because David Wright isn't there? Or is it because there's a new order? Maybe it's a little bit of both. I feel like Wright's there in spirit, and his presence is irreplaceable. But I also think he's left behind an example for everyone in the room to follow going forward, it feels like a new chapter has begun with the Mets, for better or for worse.
It's hard to say his absence is felt when he has often been injured and rehabbing the last few seasons. Last September was truly special and showed all that Wright gave to the franchise both on and off the field. Hopeful that a player or players can truly ascend to a leadership role now that he is retired and there is no hope of the Captain making a grand return.
That's probably a better question to ask somebody on the team, since they know the difference. For me, I'm of the mind of "keep moving forward", and that we care too much about nostalgia in general as a society. (I don't care which shows premiered 27 years ago today so stop putting it in my Facebook timeline!!!) So while I think of David Wright fondly, I'm ready to look forward and not backward.
The last couple of years prepared us well for our separation from David Wright as an active player. Still, he was such a constant for so long. I always assumed the earliest-reporting employee to St. Lucie every spring was greeted by David bouncing a ball against a wall, waiting for somebody to unlock the door to the facility.
Given his role as a special advisor, I imagine we'll see him around in some capacity, which is comforting. May he find the new work rewarding and may fans never stop appreciating all he gave this franchise.
To be honest, no. In my head I've already turned that page. This roster is full of talented guys, some of whom learned how to conduct themselves as major leaguers from David Wright. I have a feeling his impact on this clubhouse will continue to manifest itself over the next few seasons. Will I miss him on the field? Always.
Bre S (That Mets Chick)
Have I felt Wright's absence from the team during spring training? I can't say I have. That is a better question to ask the players. I can see from videos and players quotes that there is a different and fresh vibe from this team. Wright is no longer on the field with them being their leader and caption. Other players like Michael Conforto, Jacob deGrom, and Brandon Nimmo all know they need to step up in 2019. Whether Mets fans like it or not, the team must move on without Wright being in the clubhouse everyday. This reminds me of 2005. Mike Piazza's final season with the Mets. Going into 2006, bright and young new faces emerged the voices and leaders for the Mets: David Wright and Jose Reyes. Similar to 2006, a new leader for the Mets will emerge in 2019 and I can't wait to see who that is.
I'll notice the hole at third base once games start. Third base the last few years has almost been defined by "waiting for David Wright," so now that David isn't coming back anymore I expect the third-base position to have a completely different dynamic. We have Frazier, who was so-so last year; Lowrie, who can really hit…but may already be hurt? Jeff McNeil, who can also really hit but is unproven and might also be an outfielder; J.D. Davis, who seems like a complete mystery…David Wright's absence, to me, is going to make itself felt most in the fact that when we go through third base options, there won't be that pause we used to make, and no one will say, "well, this is just the backup plan until Wright comes back."
Surprisingly, I have not noticed Wright's absence. There are a number of reasons why with Pete Alonso fighting for a first base job, deGrom still going without an extension, and the fact there are still big name free agents on the board like Bryce Harper, Dallas Keuchel, and Craig Kimbrel. There is a lot of noise in baseball right now, and it is overshadowing Wright not being a part of the team anymore.
I anticipate I will first feel his absence on Opening Day when Howie Rose is calling out the players' names. His name will be a noticeable omission. If the Mets are fighting for a postseason spot, I know I will certainly notice Wright's absence, and I will likely bemoan who Wright is not going to get a chance to get his World Series ring.
While I have not quite noticed Wright's absence, I do notice the good work from the fine people who contribute to this roundtable. Hopefully, you notice it as well, and you take the time to read their excellent work.
Brandon Nimmo , David Wright , J.D. Davis , Jacob deGrom , Jed Lowrie , Jeff McNeil , Jose Reyes , Michael Conforto , MIke Piazza , Noah Syndergaard , Peter Alonso , Robinson Cano , Todd Frazier
Mets Blogger Roundtable: Would You Support deGrom Limiting His Innings?
In his press conference on Thursday, Mets ace Jacob deGrom said if the Mets were not going to extend him he would have to confer with his agents about whether he should have a self imposed innings restriction in 2019. It should be noted deGrom's new agent, Jeff Barry, has been urging pitchers to impose innings restrictions upon their teams in response to how teams have handled the free agent market the past few seasons.
While many believe it may never come to this, it is certainly possible deGrom or his agents may attempt to impose an innings restriction upon the team. As we saw with Matt Harvey in 2015, drama would ensue should there be another incident. The question for Mets fans in 2019 is whether they would support deGrom in a similar situation this season. Our Mets Bloggers offer their opinions:
Now THAT'S a conflict of interest. Obviously, deGrom deserves every penny he's set to make and has every right to protect himself from injury with that type of windfall at stake. However, I want the Mets to win and having JdG on the mound as often as possible significantly improves their chances of success. I really don't think it's going to get that far, though.
Agree with Tim. I don't think it gets that far. But I whole heartedly support Jacob's right to be pissed off.
Editor's Note: Metstradum had an excellent article on that very topic, which you should read.
Last time I checked, Jake is getting paid 17 million dollars to throw baseballs this season. He'd better throw 200 innings with a smile on his face, and I don't want to hear about his contract again. Yes, the Mets need to extend him, and make him a Met for life, but c'mon.
I'll add that when he does get his deal, he should send an envelope to Wally Backman, because if it weren't for Wally, Jake would have been used in the BP when the Mets brought him up. It probably cost him his job, but Wally called Terry and told him Jake had to be a SP and to fight hard for it.
I expect Jacob deGrom to pitch as best he can, as often and as much as he is called on to do (which in this era is never enough as we would choose). He has been a pro's pro for five seasons and see no reason to believe that will change because of negotiation-related posturing. His integrity seems as Cy Young-caliber as his body of work.
If he wants to preserve his arm after the Mets clinch and before the playoffs, I'd definitely support that.
DeGrom has certainly earned an expensive extension, and he's a good season or two away from becoming a top five-or-so pitcher in Mets history. But shutting down in September could be a lot to ask of the Front Office and of fans if we're in a playoff race. If we're 20 games out on September first, then it might be in everyone's best interests — deGrom, the FO, fans — to shut him down and save his arm. But if we're in a spot where the standings might come down to a few games either way, I think the opposite is true: I don't think it's in anyone's best interests for deGrom to pack it in early. Fans will hate it, obviously, and management won't like it either, and if deGrom goes against his team to shut himself down, you have to think it will damage relations between his agents and the Mets, and also hurt his standing going into Free Agency.
Having said all that…I don't think he'll shut himself down if we're in a spot where we need him to pitch. He doesn't seem like the type. But with the Mets…who the hell knows?
deGrom has earned every penny given to him. He received a raise in arbitration earning $17 million this season. I am very conflicted about this topic because I think he deserves a big pay day, but I also want him to pitch down the stretch, especially if we are in a playoff race. This reminds me another time in Mets drama history. Matt Harvey in 2015 recovering from TJS was asked by his agent, Scott Boras to limit his innings to preserve himself for the future. With all the drama and headlines late that season, he ended up pitching deep into the season and then the World Series. There are clear differences in Matt Harvey and Jacob deGrom: Injuries, attitude and behavior. deGrom is a great Mets player. He is loyal to the team. I want him signed long term but its very tough to say I would want him to shut it.
While I do not like deGrom having a self imposed innings limitation, I do have to respect him doing what is best for him and his career. So long as he gives the team sufficient notification of his intent, the Mets should be able to set forth a plan where deGrom will be in a position to pitch down the stretch and into the postseason. Given what deGrom said at the press conference, the Mets should be making plans for that very scenario RIGHT NOW.
At the end of the day, if the Mets don't plan for this contingency, and they instead try to pressure deGrom into pitching well past his innings limits, like they did with Harvey, that's on the Mets – no matter how much they try to spin it.
That said, if deGrom doesn't make himself available to pitch a late September game or refuses to pitch in the postseason, then he should be subjected to whatever scorn comes his way. Hopefully, no one will be in that position.
Overall, no matter what your position is on supporting deGrom, please support the writers who take their time to contribute to this roundtable. Their work is excellent, and they should receive your support.
Jacob deGrom , Matt Harvey , Wally Backman


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Dayton in the Wars
This was written in 1937 as one of the WPA projects in Dayton during the Great Depression.
Dayton in the Wars.
This military history of Dayton, as well as of Montgomery County is interesting, honorable and in harmony with the American tradition that every citizen is expected to do his duty when the country is in the grips of war. Our citizens have acted promptly, courageously and patriotically in every war in which American has engaged. A city having no battle-ground has a military history only in relation to the contribution it is able to make to a great struggle; to the supplies it furnished for the victory of American arms and the men it is able to muster into service. History records that, from the War of 1812, when Dayton was a rendezvous for troops of Ohio and Kentucky, Dayton and Montgomery county have loyally done their part.
Further, some of the men who settled Dayton in 1796 fought in the Revolutionary War, while others took part in the Indian wars. A few of them fought in both wars. City and rural cemeteries contain the graves of not a few of these soldiers who took part in these early struggles, long before the city or county were either settled or incorporated. Of course, the deceased veterans of the War of 1812, Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War are much more numerous.
In Woodland cemetery lie buried 17 soldiers of the American Revolution, including Col. Robert Patterson, Col. Isaac Spinning, Major David Ziegler and Dr. John Elliott. In the various rural cemeteries 173 Revolutionary soldiers are buried as well as many veterans of other wars. But the graves of some soldiers of the Revolution cannot be located, including Dr. John Hole, who named the county in honor of Gen. Montgomery.
In all these struggles, the one which resounded nearest home, and the one felt most deeply by all citizens, was the Civil War. Everybody seemed to feel the impact of great tragedy and to realize that, since rebellion has reared its ugly head, the county was facing the greatest crisis in its history. It was fighting for its very existence. Either the rebellion must be put down quickly, or the country could not hope to survive. So the city and county, with the realization of these things, was alive to the meaning of the Civil War and to its responsibility from the start, and it remained so until the bitter end.
The people felt comparatively safe from attack, except during Morgan's Raid when the greatest excitement prevailed, and in August, 1862 when the advance of Kirby Smith into Kentucky arounsed the utmost fear for the safety of Cincinnati. Both forays were quickly ended.
But no one in these days can hardly imagine the feelings and emotions aroused by Morgan's raiders, the wild reports that were circulated, the preparations made to hide valuables and conceal cattle and horses. Cavalrymen, it was appreciated, have a peculiar liking for the best possible mounts, leaving their old worn out steeds in place of the captured ones. The county military committee issued its call for men, the mayor placed Dayton under martial law, Gov. David Todd called out the militia to report at Camp Dennison. Accordingly Companies A and B of Dayton left for the camp, July 13, 1862. But before the assembly could be completed the raid was over. It required the United States Cavalry under Gen. J. H. Shackelford to capture the dashing leader at New Lisbon, July 26. About 400 men were taken prisoners. Dayton saw six carloads of them pass through town on their way to Johnson's Island. Morgan and a few leaders were placed in the Ohio penitentiary for safe keeping, but managed to escape through the assistance of outside parties.
At the outbreak of the War, the citizens of Dayton and Montgomery County seemed united. It was later that people ok sides and Republicans and abolitionists began to make it very uncomfortable for Democrats, and all those suspected to being opposed to the war. They were particularly hostile to friends of Clement L. Vallandigham, ex-congressman residing in Dayton, who continued publicly to condemn the war and its method of prosecution as oppressive and unnecessary.
On the night of May 5, 1863, following the issuance of General Order No. 38, by Gen. Burnside, military commandant at Cincinnati, a detachment of United States soldiers made a quick run to Dayton under command of Col. E. a. Parrott, of Dayton, proceeded directly to Vallandigham's w. First St. home, and at three o'clock in the morning, before his friends could rally to his aid, battered down the door of his swelling and placed the anti-war leader under arrest. He was quickly speeded to Cincinnati, was charged by a military court of circulating disloyal sentiments and was sentenced to be interned at some military fortress during the continuance of the war. Later it was decided to send him through the lines of the Rebel army and he was taken to the camp of Gen. Rosecrans, then at Murfressboro, Tenn., May 24, 1863. The southerners not only proved hospitable, but they permitted him to pass eastward through the south. He finally reached Windsor, Canada, where he was living when the Democratic party names him as its candidate for governor of Ohio. After his defeat by John Brough, the Republican nominee, he returned to Dayton and was not molested again by the government.
The forcible kidnapping of Vallindigham aroused the protest of his friends of both political faiths. By way of retaliation for the indignity forced upon him, they burned the Journal building, then on the present site of the Union Trust Company Building, on the night following his arrest. This act caused issuance of Order No. 146, by Gen. Burnside, placing Montgomery County under martal law.
History proves, despite the Vallindigham incident, that Dayton and Montgomery County were conspicuously loyal to the Union cause; that those who opposed the War were against war in general, and did not believe it was the best way in pacifying the south. Ohio, indeed, was the second state to come to the defense of the Union, and Montgomery County was on a par with the larger counties in furnishing men and supplies. Prominent citizens from the first helped to arouse intense feeling in support of the war measures, after Lincoln had issued a call for 75,000 volunteers and Gov. Dennison had issued a call for 40,000 men belonging to the militia.
Within 60 hours after word was received at the old telegraph office in the Merchants National Bank Building that the president had called for tropps, Dayton and Montgomery County's companies were headed for Washington. The Montgomery Guards boarded the train for Columbus, April 17, 1861, as did the Dayton Light Guards, which became part of the first Ohio Volunteer Infantry under the command of Capt. Walter Pease. On the same day, the Lafayette Guards completed their assembling and departed. That night the Dayton Light Artillery, catching the spirit of the hour, offered their services as a company of Riflemen. Their offer was immediately accepted by the Governor, and on April 20, clad in showy red shirts, blue pants, and jaunty caps, they marched to the trains and departed. The Anderson Guards having completed its enrollment and organization of 64 men, left the following Monday midst cheerful goodbyes, patriotic songs and prolonged cheers.
Thus Dayton demonstrated its patriotism by promptly sending out four companies containing 450 men. Every body worked. The women rolled bandages, scraped lint, packed boxes, organized the young boys into the First Oho Division of Wood Sawyers, raised $12,000 to help care for the families of the soldiers. Physicians offered their services free to the families of volunteers, and druggists agreed to fill prescriptions on the same generous terms. The city Council appreciating its responsibilities to the families of the soldiers, appropriated $10,000 for their relief. When companies of troops passed through Dayton, women would flock to the Old Union Station, and offer them refreshments of coffee and sandwiches.
Of the companies sent out from Dayton, the Lafayette Guards, the Dayton Light Guards and the Montgomery Guards became respectively Company's B, C and D of the First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 92 Dayton Riflement under Capt. Cal. J. Childs, and the 97 Anderson Guards under Capt. Michael J. Nolan became part of the 11th Ohio, and this in turn became part of the Ohio Division commanded by Gen. Geo. B. McClellan. James Findlay Harrison of Dayton was named Colonel of the 11th Ohio, and W. W. Coleman of Troy became major. The division contained 6,483 men. Not long after the war had be3gun, the First and Second Ohio Regiments were ordered to Washington and assigned to the brigade commanded by Gen. R. C. Schenck of Dayton. This of course contained several hundred Dayton troops. Posted at the stone bridge during the battle of Bull Run, they gave such an excellent account of themselves that they helped cover the retreat of the Union forces, and won high praise for their bravery.
The Dayton Companies were mustered out in Aug. 1861, but most of the members reenlisted and served three years longer or throughout the duration of the war.
At one time there were 12 recruiting offices open in Dayton. These added enlistments to the First Ohio Regular Army, the 35th O.V.I., the Cavalry Sharpshooters, the 22nd Ohio, 44th Ohio and 2nd Ohio Infantry.
Salient features of the table of commands containing troops of Dayton and Montgomery County are as follows: 636 in the 11th, 24th, 84th, and 86th Ohio Infantry who served six months; 116 in the 179th, 187th, 187th, 188th, 189th, who enlisted for one year, together with other enlistments prior to March 30, 1865 and drafted men, making a total of 256: 1,075 in 24 Oho regiments who served three years, together with 1,860 scattered among regiments of other states; Regular Army men, men of the engineering corps, the artillery, the U. S. Navy and several Batteries and Cavalry companies; 4,846 hundred-day men; 1,050 men who answered special calls, 50 of whom were members of the Dayton Zouaves, 500 of whom were the Squirrel Hunters of 1862 who sent away to the defense of Cincinnati during the Kirby Smith foray, and 500 of whom went forth to help resist the Morgan Raid of 1863.
One of the notable events in Dayton during the Civil War was the recruiting of the 93th Regiment of Volunteers in the summer of 1862. It contained more Montgomery County and Dayton men than ever before. Three companies were raised under Capt. Martin, Mitchel and Birch. The regiment was finally organized with Chas. Anderson as colonel and Hiram Strong as lieutenant colonel. This regiment made a splendid record, serving bravely on the field of battle at Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, the Atlanta Campaign and Nashville.
During the first four months of 1864, many of the regiments containing Montgomery County men were re-enlisted for three years or longer. ON May 11, 1864, occurred the second draft. However, by the use of substitutes purchased by subscription, the whole county was cleared of its obligation except the First Ward and Mad River township. The number of substitutes was finally obtained and the drafted men were released.
The call for 100-day men to take care of the depletions made by the assignments of troops for post or garrison duty was made early in 1864. Gov. Brough ordered the assembling of the "Home Guards", an order which caused great distress among business and professional men ordered to Camp Chase on one day's notice. Most of these companies were assigned to the 131st regiment and were placed in duty at Fort Federal Hill at Baltimore, where they remained until they were brought back to Camp Chase in August and mustered out on the 23rd.
As the end of the war was seen approaching, the president's call for 500,000 men and later for 300,000 men caused another revival of recruiting late in 1864. Many of the recruits were sent to Nashville, which was held by the Union Army.
Finally came to the glad news of the fall of Richmond and the war was over. A great jubilee was held in Dayton to the accompaniment of salutes, fireworks and speeches on April 14, 1864, and everybody was happy. But the rejoicing turned to mourning the next day when it was learned that the great president had died from the effects of an assassin's bullet. Business was suspended all day in Dayton and the bells of churches and fire-houses tolled until mid-day.
Several men of Dayton and Montgomery County attained national prominence either during or as the result of the Civil War. Prominent among these are Robert C. Schenck, who became a Brigadier and later a Major General, then resigned to represent his country at the Court of St. James; George Crook, who after holding various commands was commissioned Brigadier General of Volunteers, and finally full Brigadier General, serving in campaigns against the Indians after the Civil War; Major General Thomas A. Wood, father of Gen. Geo. H. Wood, who after serving with distinction in the Army of Ohio and the Cumberland, married and settled in Dayton; Gen. Chas. Candy, who lived much of his life in Dayton after the Civil War, and Gen. Alexander McD. McCook of the "Fighting McCooks", a distinguished corps commander of the Army of the Cumberland, who died in Dayton.
So ends the story of the part played by Dayton and Montgomery County in America's longest, severest and most critical war.
Several of the prominent early settles served as soldiers in the War of 1812, when Dayton was named as the rendezvous for troops of Ohio and Kentucky. Among these were Col. George Newcom, who had been a soldier in Wayne's army against the Indians; his brother William, who took part in the war and afterwards died from the effects of hardships and exposure incurred thereby; Benjamin Van Cleve, whose father had been a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and had served in the army under St. Clair, Wilkinson and Wayne; and his brother Capt. William Van Cleve, who organized a company of riflemen in the village of Dayton and reported for duty, soon after the war broke out.
At the outbreak of this war, Governor Return Jonathan Meigs called for 1,200 troops and appointed Dayton as the place for assembling them. Gov. Meigs came to Dayton to superintend the organization of the Militia for service, and 12 companies reported for duty. An appeal was made for blankets to be paid for immediately. General Gano and General Cass arrived in Dayton wiht 700 men. This made 15,000 men assembled in Dayton for service.
Three regiments of militia were organized here; the first encamped south of Dayton, and the second and third encamped in Cooper Park. Captain William Van Cleve's riflemen were put to work guarding supply trains and keeping open communications with the army of the north. Gen. William Hull, who had been made commander, arrived here from Cincinnati on May 25, and the formal change of leadership was made by Gov. Meigs. Camp was established on Webster St. and became known as Meigs Camp. The final order for the 1,600 men to move north was given May 31. Up the Old Troy Pike moved the 1,600 men who had been assembled here, dressed in homespun, carrying crude implements and guns, but having stout hearts and high hopes.
Dayton and the county had entire satisfaction in the war, and the merchants were receiving high prices for their supplies. Citizens sought to inspire recruiting under Lieut. Gwynn. Then came the dispiriting news that Hull had surrendered 2,500 men, containing many citizens of this city and county, to 330 regular British infantry, 400 militia and 600 Indians commanded by Gen. Brock near Ft. Detroit.
Ohio and Kentucky quickly arose to the danger of the country after this defeat, and six infantry companies, containing men from 18 to 45 years, were organized here under Major General Adams, into a battalion. General William Henry Harrison, made commander of the Kentucky volunteers, was given a salute upon his arrival in Dayton. When Brigadier General John Payne arrived with 1,800 volunteers and they were parading through the city, one of the troopers had his hand mangled by the discharge of a cannon and another was wounded.
Col. Robert Patterson was placed in charge of the government stores, Lieut. James Flynn of the Second Company of Rangers set up a recruiting office and Major Gunckel of German township organized a company to garrison forts and block houses at various points. Perry's victory on Lake Erie and Harrison's pursuit of Proctor, ending in victory at the Thames, brought the war to a close.
Mexican War.
Dayton and Montgomery County had ten infantry and two cavalry companies of militia at the outbreak of the Mexican War in 1846, when President James K. Polk requisitioned the state for troops. Yet the population of Dayton was only about 6,000 at the time. The troops were members of the First Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Adam Speice of this city, which brigade was part of the Tenth Division, commanded by Major General Hiram Bell, of Greenville. When on May 20, 1846, Gov. Mordecai Bartley, in compliance with presidential orders, ordered the division generals to ascertain how many members of the militia company were available for service in Mexico, Brig. Gen. Speice acted promptly and ordered the companies in his brigade to assemble in Dayton. Nine companies responded. The men were marched to the lower part of the city, where they were given an inspiring address by Major General Bell.
Recruiting began immediately. The National Guard of Germans, commanded by Captain Lewis Hormell, recruited at their E. Second St. headquarters; the Dragoons, commanded by Captain Luther Giddings, recruited at McCann's store. Upon learning that the government did not want cavalry, the Dragoons reorganized as the Dayton Riflemen. There were 77 men in each company when they were mustered into service by Major Thomas Tilton, Brigade Major of the First Brigade, and were ordered to Camp Washington, established at the Mill Creek bottom at Cincinnati under Samuel R. Curtis, adjutant general of the state.
Before they left they were assembled in front of the National Hotel, Third and Jefferson Sts., where the Riflemen were presented with a beautiful new flag. Then, attended by a great crowd of friends and relatives, they embarked on two canal boats for the camp in Cincinnati, a trip which at that period required two days. The flag of the Riflemen became the standard of the camp. On June 23, the several companies at Camp Washington organized as the First Ohio Infantry, of which the Riflemen and the Guards became respectively Companies B. and C. On July 3, these companies, as part of the First Ohio Infantry embarked on the steamers, New World and North Carolina from Cincinnati, and encamped in August on the Texas side of the Rio Grande River. Some of the officers were promoted, and the companies later took part in the battle of Monterey.
Twenty-two men from Montgomery County were in the company recruited in the winter of 1847 by E. a. King, who was afterwards to fall at Chickamauga during the Civil War. This company became part of the Fifteenth United States Infantry containing five Ohio companies. But the company raised in Dayton, which suffered a real ordeal of fire, was the Dayton German Grenadiers, commanded by Capt. John Werner. This was organized after the Guards and Riflemen returned home in May, 1847 and their return was heralded with a rousing celebration and the firing of "Mad Anthony:, a noisy little cannon whose detonations were often heard during the Mexican War. Under Gen. Winfield Scott, who had already demonstrated his leadership in the War of 1812, the Grenadiers fought with courage and tenacity, at Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec and the City of Mexico.
Only 36 of the 100 men in the company returned home in July, 1846 and were accorded a dinner and reception at Third and Bainbridge Sts., on the grounds occupied later by the Stoddard Manufacturing Company. As for the two other companies which had returned home the previous year, the Riflemen lost 37 men and the National Guards lost 31 men.
Spanish-American War.
North and South, East and West were all united in the Spanish-American War, and Ohio's response to President William McKinley's call for 125,000 volunteers to enlist for two years, following the declaration of war against Spain, April 20, 1898, was immediate and very heartening. America was a country undivided. Ohio could not use all the men who wanted to fight the enemy, to avenge the sailors on the ill-fated Battleship Maine", blown up in Havana Harbor, Feb. 15, 1898, and to liberate the Cubans, trodden under the Spanish heel for hundreds of years. She quickly supplied her quota of six regiments of infantry, four light batteries and two squadrons. The total enrollment for all brances of service from this state was 16,993, which was 2,000 more than the quota. Only the militia, of which there were 100,000 in the entire country, had been trained; the rest of Ohio's volunteers, numbering more than 10,000, had to be put through an intensive period of training and drilling. Only eight days were required to muster the Ohio National Buard into the army. Not long after Ohio placed a volunteer regiment in the field, leading all the states of the Union in the speed and promptness with which such a regiment had been enlisted, trained and equipped. This was the First Ohio Cavalry of which Company F had been trained in Dayton.
The war spirit here was very ardent. Men clamored to enlist. Preparations were made at once to organize the First Oho Volunteer Infantry. To lead this col. W. J. White, a Civil War veteran with a splendid war record, resigned as superintendent of schools after serving them ten years.
Companies G. and I, of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, all members of which were residents of Dayton and Montgomery County, left Dayton April 27, after a stirring farewell, for Springfield, which had been appointed as headquarters for this part of the state. From there the Third Ohio was moved to Camp Bushnell near Columbus. Later this regiment was trained at Tampa and Fernandina, Fla. and at Huntsville, Ala. Company f. of the First Ohio Cavalry, previously referred to, received its training at Camp Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Ga. But these companies were never called to battle.
There were a few Dayton and Montgomery County men in the 4th, 6th, 8th and 12th regiments, which took part in several important battles. Generally speaking, the casualties were few. But there were many deaths from malaria, typhoid, swamp fever and other diseases; and many who returned home died early deaths because they were unable to rid their systems of these ailments.
But before fighting ceased on Aug. 12, the names of two Dayton boys resounded throughout the country. Charles Boone, a cadet on the Flagship New York, had the honor of firing the first shot in the war at Matanzas, Cuba, while Joe Abele, now an employee of the general delivery department of the Dayton Postoffice, performed a deed of daring and conspisuous valor. Abele of Company ;E, 12th U.S.I. was one of the three Dayton men wounded on the filed of battle. The other two were Homer Lines, of the Sixth Infantry Regulars and Harry Brooks, a colored member of the Tenth Cavalry.
Abele, born in Dayton, Nov. 30,1874, emerged from the war a hero. Later he was cited for bravery and was awarded medals by the government, and numerous patriotic societies and organizations. He has at least a dozen medals and emblems of various kinds.
This is the certified record of the deed of this Dayton boy, which stamped him as a hero and which brought him so many honors:
"American soldiers were surrounding a stone fortress manned by Spanish soldiers. Fighting had been going on in this position for either hours, with the line about 300 yards apart. The fortress was on top of a hill. A call was made to take the American flag as far forward as possible to permit the entire lines to see that the fortress was completely surrounded. Private Joseph E. Abele, of Company E, 12th U. S. Infantry, grabbed the flag from the color sergeant's hand and ran toward the fort. He climbed up the side and reached the top of the blockhouse roof, where the flagpole, which has been shot in two by Capron's Battery, still had the Spanish colors standing up on the roof, waved the American flag. All this time heavy rifle and artillery fire from the town Company E. signalled for private Abele to come down and not expose himself further to the enemy. So he jumped down outside the walls of the fortress and captured eight Spanish soldiers, including the highest ranking Spanish officer at El Caney, who was later exchanged for Lieutenant Hobson and his men".
Ohio's contribution to the war was not only in soldiers and sailor's, but also in leaders and advisers. William McKinley, and Ohioan, was president; John Sherman was secretary of state, and was succeeded by William R. Day and John Hay who, with Whitelaw Reid, another Ohioan, headed the peace commission; Russell Alger was Secretary of War, and Henry C. Corbin was adjutant general of the U. S. Army. Others from the state who figured prominently were Joseph B. Foraker, who defended McKinley's Philippine policy; William Howard Taft, later president and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, who served as governor general of the Philippines; Major General Adna R. Chaffee, Joseph Warren Keifer, Henry W. Lawton and James F. Wade.
World War.
Memories of the World war are too recent to require any long recounting of Dayton's and Montgomery county's participation in it. Both sent thousands of men to the front, most of whom returned home in excellent health and spirits. Some there were who were wrecks of humanity when they came back, and nearly 200 did not come back at all.
But the contribution of the city and county to the war was not in man power alone. That tells only a small part of the story. Equally important to the eventual victory of the American arms was the contribution made here to such non-combatant works as the Red Cross, in which Dayton led the whole Lake division; the Red Cross schools, which awarded 86 diplomas in home nursing, 24 in diatetics, 75 in first aid, and 136 for making surgical dressings; the Liberty, Victory and War Savings stamps campaigns, and other war charities and projects.
Moreover, a good many local factories engaged in manufacturing munitions and was equipment of various kinds. Here it was that the DeHaviland airplane was developed by the Dayton Wright Airplane Company, flew the first of these planes and later trained 200 flyers at the Fairfield Air Depot. After the war it was found the company had shipped 4,587 planes to France. At the plants of the Maxwell Motor Car Co., and the Platt Iron Works, 450 of the tanks needed by France were made and shipped overseas. The National Cash Register also shoved aside the manufacture of its usual product, and concentrated on numerous precision tools and accessories needed for war. Various other local concerns did the same thing, demonstrating love of country, not self-interest guided their minds and hearts in the country's emergency.
Recruiting started before the draft, and was speeded up because the Third Ohio Infantry, made up largely of companies from Dayton, Troy, Piqua, Hamilton, Greenville and other towns and townships in this locality, had been serving on the Mexican border since 1916 when trouble with that country threatened.
Battery D, a part of the Third Ohio Infantry, returned home after America joined the Allies and declared war against Germany, established camp at Triangle Park, and called men to enlist for service and avoid the draft. When Battery D had been turned into a fighting unit, it was federalized in July, 1917. It was then sent to Camp Sheriden, Montgomery, Ala., for further training. When this was completed it was sent quickly, along with other Ohio National Guard troops to France, where it became part of the 62nd Field Artillery Brigade, the artillery brigade attached to the 37th Division. It gave a good account of itself at Pettonville, St. Mihiel and the Argonne, fighting overseas from Sept., 1918 until the Armistice.
The Second Battalion under Jamor Leon C. Smith, cashier of the Merchants National Bank, became part of the 148th Infantry. This battalion, which was in the trenches and fought in the Battle of Verdun, was sent to Belgium only a few days before the sighing of the Armistice. Several of its members were killed or wounded in Belgium almost at the very close of the World War.
In the 322nd Field Artillery of the 83rd Division, there were troops from Dayton and Montgomery County, Easton, Xenia, Cincinnati, Cleveland, western Pennsylvania and Indiana. Dayton's colored troops, part of them commanded by Capt, Robert Mallory, were attached to the 92nd Division.
Moreover, there were two from Dayton and Montgomery County in each of the companies of the famous Rainbow, or 42nd Division. This division, made up of men of numerous states, trained at Camp Mills before being sent in two sections to France, one landing at St. Nazaire and the other at Brest. The final training was received with the Seventh French Army troops; no company or regiment in the Rainbow Division was dominantly Ohioan; but it is likely there were more men from this state in the 166th Regiment, consisting of 3,605 officers and men.
The Rainbow Division has been credited with being the greatest fighting unit in the American Army during the World War. At one time it constituted the left division of the entire American Army. When released from the front line it was within rifle range of the city of Sedan.
The following terse listing of the campaigns in which it took part shows the extent of tis operations, although it gives little idea of how well and how bravely it fought;
Combat service at the Luneville Sector, Lorraine, Feb. 21 to March 23, 1918; Baccaret Sector, March 31 to June 31; Esperance, Soulain Sector, Champagne, July 4 to July 14; Champagne-Marne defensive, July 15 5o July 17; Aisne-Marne defensive, July 25 to Aug. 3; St. Mihiel offensive, July 25 to Aug. 3; Essex and Pannes Sector, Sept. 17 to Sept. 30; Neuse-Argonne offensive, Oct. 12 to Oct. 30 and Nov. 5 to Nov. 10.
This concludes the story of the ready response made by Dayton and Montgomery County in every war that has menaced the country, and what they gave and what they did to speed their country on to victory. Because of the necessity of eliminating many important details of their contribution to these wars, the account is necessarily more factual than thrilling.
As for the soldier dead, Dayton and Montgomery County has found a way to memorialize them. The memory of the 189 soldiers of the world War who did not come back, for example, is hallowed by a memorial grove known as Victory Oak Knoll. Here there is a tree planted for every soldier who fell in action, suffered wounds or other disabilities, or dies from disease, together with a marker indicating his name or branch of service. It may be interesting to note that 85 of the 189 died from disease, being victims of the influenza epidemic for the most part.
Moreover, Memorial Day is very widely and generally celebrated here every year, at which time the graves of the veterans of all wars are decorated by relatives and friends. All the patriotic societies join in the celebration with addresses, a parade, and services at the various city and county cemeteries in which the soldier dead lie buried. Decoration Day originated as a memorial to the Civil War dead, but the meaning of the observance has broadened and deepened through the years, with the result that families today decorate the graves of their loved ones, irrespective of the particular war in which they took part.
Roz Young
Great Flood of 1913
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Dayton Memories
Personal Remembrances


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Votes at 16
A number of constituents contacted me ahead of last Friday's debate on reducing the voting age to 16 (Representation of the People (Young People's Enfranchisement and Education) Bill), so I thought I would share my thoughts here.
This is an issue I am particularly passionate about. It is bewildering that 16-year-olds can marry, pay taxes and join the armed forces, yet are denied the most important form of participation in democracy -; through the ballot box.
At the 2017 General Election, I stood on a manifesto which committed to reduce the voting age to 16. I believe this would greatly help mobilise and engage young people in the political process from school age and therefore strengthen our democracy, opening it up to a new generation. This was exemplified with the Scottish Independence referendum which enjoyed a turnout of 75% among the 100,000 16 and 17 year olds who registered to vote.
When I was first elected as an MP in 2015 I was drawn for a Private Members Bill, which I chose to dedicate to extending the right to vote to 16 and 17 year olds and to introducing compulsory political education in schools. Unfortunately, the Bill fell at its Second Reading.
It is also the case that while the European Union Referendum Bill was being considered during the last Parliament, the Government consistently opposed amendments which would have allowed 16 and 17 year olds to vote in the EU referendum.
I was very pleased that Jim McMahon was able to bring this issue back to the Commons on Friday 3rd November and I and my Labour colleagues fought hard in the debate. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the Tories blocked it and Jim's Bill was, like mine, unable to proceed to the committee stage.
I assure you, however, that our determination does not end here!


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Marko Čelebonović (; 21 November 1902 – 23 June 1986) was one of the most famous Serbian painters of the 20th century.

Biography
Čelebonović was born in Belgrade. He studied law and economics in England and France. His first public exhibition was in Paris in 1925. Before World War II he resided in Saint Tropez. During the years of war, he was a member of the French Resistance. After the war he returned to Yugoslavia and from 1948 to 1960, he was a professor at the Academy of Fine Arts in Belgrade. During this time, he had numerous shows in Paris, Belgrade, Zurich, Geneva, Sarajevo, Skopje and Niš, as well as taking part in a number of collective shows of French painters in France and Italy, and in Yugoslav exhibitions in France, England, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, and Brazil. In 1963 he was awarded the "7th July" prize for life's work.

In the spring of 1923, upon his return from England, he appeared at the free Paris school Grande Chaumière in the studio of Antoine Bourdelle, with the intention of devoting himself to sculpture. However, already in summer 1923 he began painting in his own studio and from then on completely devoted himself to painting. In May 1925 he exhibited for the first time in the Salon des Tuileries, and in June he left for Saint Tropez. He worked with many colleagues including, most notably, Édouard Vuillard, Paul Signac, Albert Marquet, André Dunoyer de Segonzac, and Kostia Terechkovitch. For this reason, his art bears many a characteristic of French painting and French tradition. Much of Čelebonović's work is parallel to the tradition exhibited by the 1930 generation of French artists. However, be nonetheless maintained a more Balkan and Oriental tone in his works. Čelebonović's best works are characterized by an Oriental touch, Oriental preference for ripeness and violence of color, such as the meaning of silence and its light, of gentle restrained gesture, the weight of the seated or lying human body. The rational element is present in his painting, but always submerged under authentic affective attitude to life.

Although he spent his years in France, he was always closely attached to the Yugoslav painters who occasionally visited France (Sreten Stojanović, Marino Tartaglia, Petar Lubarda). In 1937 he had his first independent show in Belgrade, and in 1938 he exhibited with the Twelve group. In those years he occasionally visited Yugoslavia, painted in Belgrade and on the Montenegrin Littoral, visited medieval monasteries and was an active presence in the art of the period. In his later years, Celebonovic quoted "My life and work have been determined by my attitude towards Yugoslavia. I have linked the fate of my art with Yugoslav painting. How one grows and attains maturity is a question apart. The influence of French painting upon myself and others is natural enough. After all, who has ever been free from influence?

His decorations and awards include: award for painting at the first memorial of Nadežda Petrović in Čačak, the 7th of July award for life achievement, golden plaque for painting at the third triennial of visual arts in Belgrade, Order of brotherhood and unity, Order of merit to the people, Order of labour and Order of the Republic with golden wreath.

An exhibition featuring his selected works was opened in the Gallery of SANU in early 2019.

See also
 List of painters from Serbia
 Serbian art

References

1902 births
1986 deaths
Artists from Belgrade
20th-century Serbian painters
Serbian male painters
Yugoslav expatriates in the United Kingdom
Yugoslav expatriates in France
20th-century Serbian male artists

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