The following, inspired by the first of "Den's" political pleasantries in the "Herald" last night, and despatched to C.J. Dennis in letter form, might interest your readers: -

To C.J. Dennis, Poet and Dreamer of Yesterday

Dear "Den",
No doubt "Jim" will be chuckling heartily over your clever skit in to-night's "Herald" about the time you receive this. One must apologise for the explosion of this crude musketeer from the ambush of a cabbage patch, feeling as one does that, given your choice, you would rather sweep the sky in a battle-plane than lie among the snipers.

Ah! yes. He's at war as of yore, is our "Den,"
   Whom, we boasted, no guerdon, no bribe could suppress,
Ere yet, to our pleading unheeding, with pen
   Steeped in venom, he wrote for the juggernaut Press.
Will that first careless rapture come ever again,
Now that Mammon's athirst for the soul of our "Den"?


With purposeful clamouring, hammering din,
   Democracy's foes ev'ry breach have assailed,
Unlike Burns, our "Den" turns his back on his kin;
   Like Wordsworth, his former high purpose has failed.
When brains can be bartered for cheque-book and pen.
Ah!  Lost to renown is our over-worked "Den,"


Perhaps it's conviction, eviction, command,
   In the routine of duty embitters "Den's" voice.
Thus he loses sincerity, gaining asperity -
   What side would be champion if given his choice?
After all, there's gap in the ranks of true men
Till, contrite and chastened, returns our poor "Den."

"DEMOS"
The Labor Call Melbourne, 19 February 1931, p6

Note: the poem referred to above was written by CJ Dennis and published in the Herald on 16 February 1931 under the title "Jim". The "Jim" in question is Jim Scullin who was Prime Minister of the time. CJD replied to this poem next week with a letter which was published on the front page of The Labor Call on 26 February 1931.

The true identity of "Demos" is not known, but it was very common for authors published in The Labour Call at that time to use pseudonyms.