A Man of Principle

Though far from a prig, Richard Bland (71) is an unbending man. He detests war and all forms of violence, blood sports, meat eating and tobacco, and he once served a term in prison rather than bear arms. Far from holding these convictions against him, the people of the Lancashire mill town of Nelson have twice chosen little (5 ft.) Dickie Bland to be their mayor. "Nelson doesn't like Dickie's principles," said one townsman, "but it does like Dickie." Beyond ordaining vegetarian menus at official luncheons and showing his disgust at puffed clouds of tobacco smoke, Dickie has returned the town's trust by keeping his convictions to himself as far as possible. However, he promised, "if anything comes along .during my term as mayor that makes me feel I couldn't mix my office with my principles, I will resign."

About six weeks ago, Dickie Bland got the promise of the greatest privilege that can befall a provincial mayor: the opportunity to play official host to the Queen and her consort Prince Philip as they passed through town on a spring tour of the county. Delighted, Dickie plunged elbow-deep into plans for a gala reception at the town hall and a royal inspection of the local cotton mill. But then he learned that Her Majesty was to be attended at the visit by 100 rifle-bearing airmen of the R.A.F. Pacifist Mayor Bland appealed to a Lancashire county councillor, who in turn appealed to the Lord Lieutenant in charge of the royal tour. Could the airmen leave their death-dealing rifles in barracks for just this once? Back came the relentless answer: "Custom cannot be changed. It is instruction to all services that arms must be carried on such parades."

Last week, faced with the prospect of playing host to a detachment of armed men, Dickie Bland reconciled his principles in the only way he knew. He resigned. Regretfully, but with no hard feelings, the council of Nelson elected a new mayor, who thoughtfully set aside two seats for ex-Mayor Bland at the royal reception. The townsfolk doubted that Dickie would use them, set, as they were, near those rifles. They even half hoped he wouldn't. "We don't agree with Dickie," said one Nelsonian, "but we like a man to stand up for his convictions."

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