The Idle American: Grahams and crackers

When my Uncle Mort draws a bead on topics, he redefines “random.” He’s as likely to converse about frogs belly-bouncing into his favorite fishing hole as he is about whether there’s life in distant galaxies.

Recently, he targeted a favorite snack, graham crackers. How’s that for random? His latest query may justify placement at or new the top in his ongoing state of wackiness. (Remember, he once questioned whether Joyce Brothers and the Smothers brothers were related.) This time, he asked if I thought that graham crackers were intended to honor one or two late Grahams, or perhaps both.

Dr. Billy Graham was a world-renowned Christian evangelist and Lindsey Graham was a veteran U.S. senator respected nationally for working both sides of the aisle with enthusiasm, candor and humor.

Dr. Graham, in ministry for some 85 years, died at age 99-plus eight years ago, and Senator Graham died suddenly in July at age 71.

Within seconds, my computer provided enough data to choke a herd of horses, enabling me to answer my ancient uncle’s query with ease. Graham crackers were popular treats long before Dr. Graham and Senator Graham were born. The crackers’ name was selected to honor Rev. Sylvester Graham, a Presbyterian minister in Massachusetts in the 1820s-1830s.

A dietary reformer known for his vegetarianism stance - as well as the temperance movement - he recommended whole grain bread. He endorsed Graham flour, the basic ingredient in the popular snack.

Wayda minute! I’m beginning to ramble like Uncle Mort. I could easily have answered: “NO.” Doing so, however, might have meant Mort would wedge in another question that might just as well the directed to a tree, fireplug or the data center of your choice.

The crackers do, however, memorialize a preacher who emphasized the importance of good health, admonish to the masses that all should go to great lengths to avoid great widths.

The Grahams had hard-scrabble beginnings. Billy was born on a farm near Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lindsey in a shack behind his parents’ bar/cafe/pool hall in tiny Pickens, South Carolina. Both were admired by most. Dr. Graham’s financial books were always open, and the senator’s net worth was likewise modest.

I have greatly admired many Texas political leaders. A few include House Speaker Sam Rayburn and several other congressional figures, including George Mahon, Jim Wright and Charles Stenholm. Two women forged the way for women in politics, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Jordan was the South’s first African American woman to serve in Congress. (Of the aforementioned, only Hutchison is still living.).

Most political observers were shocked by Jordan’s election, including a radio station reporter who excitedly exclaimed, “And your opponent was a white man!” Jordan, quick-witted and respected, quickly responded. She had a memorable rejoinder, “Yes, and he still is.”

On May 14, 1971, “Gordon Wood Day” was celebrated in Brownwood, where he won seven state football championships. Many luminaries attended, including football coaches from throughout Texas and beyond. Featured speaker was President Lyndon Johnson, just two years into retirement. He reminisced about then having time to enjoy sitting in his front porch rocking chair, adding, “Next year I

may rock.” He inserted his prepared remarks into his pocket after 15 minutes. His face was marked by wrinkles carried over from his presidential years. His face brightened, however, as he remembered that he was among friends, hanging on each word.

Then, he spoke extemporaneously for 20 more minutes. He was in his element, recalling that it was in Brownwood where the 1948 State Democratic Convention was held. It served as the springboard for his election to the U.S. Senate. “They didn’t have enough hotel rooms, so appeals were made to locals to provide sleeping quarters for delegates,” he remembered.

As emcee, I had researched Brownwood Bulletin files, fascinated by a boxed story on the front page that ran for several weeks prior to the convention. “Will you sleep a Democrat at your house?” When he finished, I asked if he thought a popular idiom may have originated there, the one about “politics making strange bedfellows.” He laughed heartily, and the some 2,000 attendees left, smiling.

Dr. Newbury, longtime chancellor of Howard Payne University, lives in the Metroplex. Email: newbury@speakerdoc.com. Website: www.speakerdoc.com. Phone: 817-447-3872