NAWSA ToRoSSiAN, ARAM Aram Torossian 1800 San Lorenzo Dr. Berkeley, Calif. April 20, 1927 Dear Miss Blackwell: We both thank you for your Easter card and appreciate your kind remembrance of us. Your card found us all pretty well and pursuing our daily tasks in the usual way. Our little boy just past his second birthday & is quite a boy now. Last Friday he went to Fresno with his mother for a week or two of vacation. This is his first long journey. He seems to be enjoying his vacation. He is visiting his aunt and grandma on the mother’s side. We are nearing the close of another school year and I am looking forward to a quiet vacation of study. Recently I read one of Mangasarian’s books in which I came across the enclosed passage which I thought might interest you if you have not already seen it. By the way Mr. Mangasarian is living in this neighborhood and I have had occasion to see him ocasionally. How were you impressed with Mr. Chobanian whom you doubtless have seen. I am sorry I have not had an opportunity to see him as yet and hope to be able to do so before he leaves California. The Gotchnag Pub. Company has published a book of essays by Chobanian on Gregor of Narek, Khrimian Hairik, Alishan , and other prominent personages: I am looking forward to reading it this vacation. We hope that this note will find you in good health. Thanking you again for your Easter remembrance, I am , Sincerely yours Aram Torossian Speaking of women, Solomon is "inspired" to make the following comment: Which yet my soul seeketh, but I find not : One man among a thousand have I found, but a woman among all those have I not found. (Ecclesiastes V11.28). No other man but an "inspired" Jew would be forgiven for such an insult to woman. Solomon plainly states that while both men and women are bad, yet women are much worse, for he has found one good man among a thousand, but not one good woman "among all those". Could any book be more unholy than the one which contains so sweeping and spiteful an accusation? And yet this is the book the reading of which our preachers are trying to make compulsory in the home and school. But the saddest and strangest of all is the conduct of the women, who notwithstanding this insult, fall upon their knees before this Asiatic volume and kiss the text that filches from then their good name ! Of course, there are bad women, as there are bad men. But if the ability to restrain one's passions be a virtue, if resestance to temptation is indicative of strength of character, women are much stronger than men. There are few men who would not make fools of themselves if women encouraged them. If patience, endurance of pain, and self-sacrifice are desirable traits of character, women are braver than men. Every time a woman becomes a mother, she descends, so to speak, into the grave to give life to another. There is not a man who was not at one time carried in a woman's arms. But for her love, tenderness and unselffishness, there would have been no civilization. (Consult the author's Woman Suffrage; or the Childbearing Woman and Civilization.) If woman counts for anything to-day; if intellectually, socially, industrially and politically, she has stepped to the front. it is all due to her own efforts- efforts against ancient and "inspired" prejudices, against the opposition of bibles and the creeds, of priests and politicians, and of Church and State. Unaided by man or God, woman has saved herself from a life of slavery and inaninity, of injustice and drudgery, and to-day both Church and State fear the rising power of woman! pp. 192 and 193 from "The Bible Unveiled" by M. M. Mangasarian M M Mangasarian CAMBRIDGE, MASS., JUNE 17 1903. Mr. H. G. Torossian To HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Dr. By vote of the Corporation this bill is to be paid on or before October 10, 1903, but no degree can be conferred until all dues to the University are discharged. Degrees withheld for non-payment of dues cannot be conferred until the Commencement day following the date of payment. Checks should be drawn to the order of Charles F. Mason, Bursar, Office hours 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. [*Please pay by cash, money order, by Philadelphia, New York City or Boston funds, or by check redeemable at par through the Boston Clearing House*] Instruction for the last third of 1902-03, 50 Rent and care of room for the last third of 1902-03, 36 66 Extra services of porter for the last third of 1902-03, Paid Cambridge Gas Light Company for gas burned before June 6, 1903, 3 70 Paid Harvard Dining Association for board before June 24, 1903, Paid Harvard Dining Association for extras ordered before June 3, 1903, Paid Randall Hall Association for board before June 3, 1903, 64 71 Laboratory fees for 1902-03, not previously charged, Laboratory supplies and apparatus for 1902-03, -- Chemistry, Services of proctor 2 45 Received on Account $115.- "Thanks!" 157 52 Received Payment, ofbal No. 2721 42.52 Charles F. Mason Bursar. [?] Burser's receipt for Torossian Torossian 1800 San Lorenzo Ave Berkeley Cal December 23,1933. Dear Miss Blackwell: I was so late in finishing my school work this year that I was unable to get any Christmas good wishes to you, but I hope this arrives before the end of this momentous year. May the new year bring us nearer to the realization of industrial democracy and arest the autocratic rule which is threatening to take reigns of this government constantly. How true your vision has been is becoming clearer and clearer. There is no doubt that the irresistible logic of events points toward complete government ownership of all national resources and means of production and an end of private exploitation of people for profit as the one real fundamental solution of the present economic ills. May you live to see the realization of what you have so valiantly defended for so many years. We had been well enough under the circumstances and have been able to continue our existence without serious hardships. May this find you also in good health. With best wishes for your health and happiness in the new year. Sincerel yours, Aram Torossian Berkeley, April 25, 1934. Dear Miss Blackwell: Pardon my delay in acknowledging and thanking you for your Easter card which you so kindly sent us. It is so good of you to remember us every spring. I hope this will find you in good health. I feel so grieved that the troublous events created by our people in the past few months have [*Aram Torossian*] caused you so much concern and have not been conducive to your peace of mind which is due you from our people for whom you have done so much good. So far we have weathered the storms of these hard times and have managed to keep well. Our boy is gradually growing up and giving us new problems to solve as to what is the best for his welfare. With best wishes for your continued health, Sincerely yours, Aram Torossian Tel. Main 5644 Published by the Armenian 401-403 Old South Building National Union of America Boston . . Massachusetts THE ARMENIAN HERALD A MONTHLY MAGAZINE Dear Miss Blackwell, As Mrs. Papazian was coming to see you I thought she would bring this note to you . Mr. H. Morgenthau's address is 30 W. 72 St. New York, N.Y. Sincerely Yours Aram Torossian 1800 SAN LORENZO AVENUE BERKELEY CALIFORNIA September 29, 1932 Dear Miss Blackwell: I have just received a letter from one of my friends working for the "Hairenik" - Armen Bardizian - telling me of the celebration of your seventy-fifth birthday. May I add my felicitations and good wishes to those who were present. I hope the meeting did full justice to the worthy occasion and gave adequate expression of our feeling for you as one of our great friends as well as of all oppressed people. Yours have been one of the few understanding minds and sympathetic hearts for all those who have been misunderstood and dealt with unjustly. May you be with us for many more years and may we live in such a manner as to be worthy of all that you have done for us in every way within your power. I was very sorry to hear that your eyes are troubling you lately. I do hope they are improving with due care. I really do not know what publication would accept that long poem of [Vara???djian] [Vara???djian] that I translated for you. I really did not expect you to bother with it and simply sent it to you for your own enjoyment. I understand "Hairenik" is starting an English section in its publication for those of the new generation who do not learn Armenian enough to understand their mother tongue. Mr. Bardizian is to be in charge of the English section. Of course he would be glad to receive anything in English about the Armenians and Armenia. Likewise "The Armenian Student", the organ of the Armenian Students Association, would gladly receive material in English. I don't think "Armenia" is published anymore, or rather "The New Armenia" published by Arshag Mahdesian. The last news I heard about him was very sad; I heard that he had a very serious breakdown mentally and whether or not there is any hope of his recovery I don't know. Last May I was in Los Angeles on business for the University - and had opportunity to visit Mr. Kasekin, his sister, and Varsenik and her husband. Yes, that 2 1800 SAN LORENZO AVENUE BERKELEY CALIFORNIA was a terrible thing that happened to Mr. Kasekin. I was glad to find him slowly improving and I am in hopes that he will be completely recovered in time. The other members of the family were very well and we had an enjoyable meeting talking of old times. With all good wishes from all of us here for your continued health, I remain, Sincerely yours, Aram Torossian Aram Torossian 1800 San Lorenzo Av. Berkeley. Cal Aram Torossian December 14, 1929 1800 SAN LORENZO AVENUE BERKELEY CALIFORNIA Dear Miss Blackwell: Thank you for your kind Easter Greetings and Christmas wishes which you never forget in sending, while we who should remember you more often are neglectful. In spite of our carelessness, however, I often think of you and of your untiring labors for all those who need assistance in this world full of injustice. Your latest book is another proof that your noble efforts in that direction have not ceased. I am looking forward to reading it. I think of you whenever I read some interesting poem or prose from Armenian athors and have the desire to paraphrase it and send it to you but this struggle to care for two families taxes my time and energies so much that I feel forced to leave such pleasant tasks to some future time when I still hope is coming. The last thing in Armenian which has left a deep impression on my mind is the autobiography of Aharonian of which the first volume has been published. I hope he will live to finish it. Seldom have I read such vivid and masterly pictures of personal experiences replete with reflections of that wonderful personality on all aspects of life. we are all pretty well and our life goes on with little change. Last summer we had a pleasant visit from Varsenik and her mother who were in Berkeley for six months. Varsenik came here to study during the summer session at the university. She is very active and energetic and improving herself in every way. Her mother also continues her usual active life always doing some useful work. With hopes that this note will find you well, with the best wishes of the season, and with the blessings of every member of our families, I remain, Sincerely yours Aram Torossian 1800 SAN LORENZO AVENUE BERKELEY CALIFORNIA May 22, 1928. Dear Miss Blackwell, I hope you will forgive me for my delay in thanking you for your kind remembrance of us at Easter. The delay was due to laziness and not to lack of appreciation of beautiful thoughts which the card contained. You see what bad habits I am developing as I grow in years. If I am so careless how I wonder what is going to happen to me when I grow real old. I am hoping that when I can accomplish some of the things which are on my mind I shall have more time to devote to correspondence and exchange of thoughts with friends. I have nothing better to look forward to - a quiet time and ability to write old time friends and do what I can for them. Many and many a time I have said to myself: I have neglected Miss Blackwell shamefully and have failed to send her any material for her poems. These articles which [*Aram Torossian 1800 San Lorenzo Ave. Berkeley*] I hope you do not mind my sending you, may indicate that I must have a great deal of leisure. But far from it, they are means to an end which is some concrete accomplishment in the field I have chosen to pursue. This making a living now a days is such an arduous task; I have to strain every nerve to make both ends meet. So far we have managed to keep agoing. Our little boy has been quite well and growing up. Soon he will have to go to kinder garden. He is beginning to keep us busy answering his questions. He keeps his mother pretty busy, luckily she has been well enough to take care of us. My mother, grandmother and sister are also living near us, in the house next to us. Very few of our friends have been left in Fresno. Mr. Karekin, Mrs. Marina and Varsenik have also left Freso and are in Los Angeles at present, as you probably know. They would like to be in this neighborhood and we would very much like to have them. I hope they can do so in not too distant future. With hopes that you are in good health, I remain, Sincerely yours Aram Torossian 228 Washington Avenue Chelsea, Massachusetts, April 11, 1917. Dear Miss Blackwell, - Thank you so much for the Easter card and the copy of Poet-Lore which I received to day. I saw the Article last Saturday at the library and am so glad to have a copy of it. There is nothing that gives me so much pleasure than to pick up an English magazine and find an article in it concerning Armenia and Armenian literature and literary men along with other literatures. You have given me that pleasure several times by your many articles and this last one gives me especial pleasure because Siamanto as a man and as a poet is so close to me. To think of such men as he and Varanjan being ruthlessly put to death. If this is not the last time that we have to suffer such losses; if our question is not settled and we are not freed this time, there is no such thing as justice on the face of the earth. Fortunately there is great deal of hope since the greatest menace to our freedom has been eliminated let us hope forever - The autocratic Russia. I have meant to write you sooner and tell you how glad I have felt to hear of all the good news for the friends of equal suffrage for men and women; the subject nearest to your heart. Suffrage for women is coming in leaps and bounds and I am sure you shall live to see the day when entire United States will be emancipated. What wonderful days we are living through. How glad you must be for the good news from Russia and the liberation of your wonderful friend Mme. Breshkareski. I wanted to hear the details of her home coming but as yet I have not seen anything in the papers about it. I wonder if you have received details of it and will publish it in the Woman's Journal? We are so glad over the news about the new Russia that we don't know what to do. We are full of hope that the last obstaclle to a liberated Armenia has been removed. We have had three interesting guests from Egypt lately one of whom you know very well, I think, and some of his poems you love in your book. - Mr. Damadian. I don't know, I am sure, whether you have met the others or not, Mr. Sabot-[???lian] and Mr. [Hanemian?]. I have met them personally and had occasion the other day (at a banquet given by the students association in their honor) to hear them say a few words. I like [* Aram Torossian*] them all very much. They have seen the world and are broad in their outlook. Mr. Hanemian strikes me as the most polished , somewhat like Siamanto's refined manners; Mr. Sabot-Genlian is a rugged, forceful scholar and a fine orator. Mr. Damadian, a fine old man, experienced, practical and common-sense man. They are all quite simple, sociable and approachable, like most of our men. Thanking you again for the Easter card and the Poet-Lore and hoping you are well. Gratefully yours Aram Torossian 228 Washington Avenue Chelsea, Massachusetts, September 16, 1916. Dear Miss Blackwell:- I received your letter this morning. I am so glad you are going to write an article on Siamanto. I feel such a void about me whenever I am reminded of the fact that he is with us no more. I am so pleased you are going to pay him a tribute in publication. I shall do my best in giving you information about him. You have some of the most characteristic poems of his already but we have to add to the stock. I don't think you have his "A Bride's Dream" yet ; I want to translate that for you. I'll go over them carefully and collect material and be ready for you. I also have a little study of him which I wrote some time ago and sent to "The New Armenian" but it has not been published. I'll bring that along too. It contains a biographical sketch which you might wish to have. I am sorry I have been so busy lately that I have not been able to send you any new material. My office of course takes up my time during the day and I only have evenings and Saturday afternoons and Sundays. But lately all that time was taken up by a job of my own. A friend of mine desires to build a house and I have been designing a house for him and it has taxed all my time. Then our [?] Association work takes up some time . free lectures we have to give and so on. Recently I have had very little time left for anything else. I don't see how you ever find time outside of your full hours to do other things. I have started some translation for you that you might be able to use for "the Woman's Journal". Selections from an Armenian authoress on woman's relations to mankind and society. Her writings impressed me very forcibly when I read them the first time. Whether I can keep the force of her style in the translation remains to be seen. I was planning to do some work on that today and tomorrow but one of my school mates needed some help on a set of drawings which he must get ready monday and I felt I ought to help him. You have been having such exciting time, haven't you? the conventions must have been splendid. I was so pleased to read the splendid tribute Mrs. Catt paid you in her convention address which I read with great interest. I want to thank you . before I forget . for the little poem of Tourian you sent me some time ago. I am ashamed I have not acknowledged it yet. I hope you feel much stronger after the summer vacation at Chilmark. Hoping you are well. Sincerely yours Aram Torossian Aram Torossian '16 228 Washington Avenue, Chelsea, Massachusetts. November 8, 1916 Dear Miss Blackwell. _ I have your note of last Monday . I shall be glad to come over Sunday afternoon and if possible bring over some translation. I shall be so pleased to see the articlle on Siamanto. Through you Americans are becoming acquainted with our literature and literary men and those that take the trouble to read your translations and articles cannot help but correct their probable idea that we are a semi-civilized peoples. Sincerely yours Aram Torossian Aram Torossian '16 Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.