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Feature
Article:
A follow-up to the "Revisiting
"The Republic": Snuffy's Gold" from August
2007.
November
23 2007
St. John's Newfoundland
BNB
The
Living “Republic"
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Newfoundland and Labrador’s history and culture is a rich one. Seeded with
scribbling on paper, old documents and photos and heavily dependent on the oral tradition of story telling. The spoken word is intrinsic in our way of life. Deeply intelligent and spiritual livyers with no formal education and very little ability to record the events of their own lives. It is no surprise then that the stories of our history are so ripe with legend and wonder. Such is the story of the very modern concept of “The Republic of Newfoundland.” |
When “Snuffy’s Gold” appeared on Newfoundland-Labrador.net in July of 2006 the article was written following an interview with the originator of the “Republic of Newfoundland Concept”, a man by the name of David “Snuffy” Jackson. Nothing short of a legend himself, Mr. Jackson is now living at home in Texas. He had been a one time immigrant to our shores and had lived here for a decade around the early 80’s. Mr. Jackson’s accounting of the first “Republic of Newfoundland” design is told with vivid clarity, pride and even though he is not a born and bred Newfoundlander his patriotism for this land rivals any livyer’s. Mr. Jackson continues to work with Newfoundland and Labrador advocacy groups and has a deep connection to his adopted Newfoundland and Labrador. Two of his children born on The Rock are constant reminders of his connection to this land.
As far as the Newfoundland-Labrador.net article was concerned the story was written and the cover closed. The story was told… but as is the nature of legends they tend to have an evolution of their own. Internet readers found the article and offered contest to the “Snuffy’s Gold” article. Months after the publishing of the article a local folklore enthusiast and old friend of David Jackson commented that the story was not completely true. David Benson in fact had challenged Mr. Jackson on his account of the origin of the Republic concept and went so far as to point to the colonialist nature of our people who so freely accept that a come-from-away would be the inspiration for the republic concept.
Newfoundland-labrador.net asked David Benson to elaborate. Mr. Benson had been a strong supporter of the Pink White and Green Native Flag and had protested the government issued flag designed by Christopher Pratt. At the time when the golden arrow design and press release was making it’s way through schools and public buildings Mr. Benson was displaying a hand sewn PWG and getting himself media attention, as well as the attention of the police.
The meeting of the Davids and the conception of the Republic of Newfoundland concept would occur three years later in 1983. It is at this point that the detail of events become contested. At this time David “Snuffy” Jackson had set up a small t-shirt shop downtown called the Harbour City General Store. It is apparent from the gentleman that they were both present when “the republic” concept was born. The point of contention for Mr. Benson is in both the exclusivity of the design of the logo by Snuffy and in the origin of the “Republic of Newfoundland” phrase.
With respect to the general design itself Snuffy recounts how he sought out the typeface for the lettering and vividly recalls where and how he acquired the font. Mr. Benson recalls how he went to Snuffy with the idea and even specified that the lettering style should reflect the old squared font style that was used in the postage stamps of Newfoundland. The font from the original Republic concept does reflect that styling. Whether this was Mr. Benson’s influence depends on who you ask.
The second point of debate between the accounts by both gentlemen is in the actual inception of the term “Republic of Newfoundland” phrase, a concept independent of the logo design. Mr. Benson describes that the phrase was born our of his desire to avoid any preconception from existing phrases: “Province was odious and Dominion unacceptable” he felt that the term Republic was appropriate for the tagline that would accompany the t-shirt design. Snuffy Jackson’s retelling is slightly different; he recalls that the “Republic” term was a natural term of usage given his recollection of Texas history. He says he felt the term Republic was a natural fit given that the case of Newfoundland’s history reflected that of Texas in so many ways.
So what will become of The Republic of Newfoundland logo concept and the phrase Republic of Newfoundland? Whose recollection most accurately describes the true inception of this phrase that has now become a part of the common lingo of the province? It has been copied, altered, printed on shirts, hats and pins and generally accepted as a part of history. …All with very little mention of when and how it came about. The Pink White and Green is even referred to incorrectly as the “Republic Flag!” So where does this take us into the future of The Republic? For his part Mr. Benson concedes the design of the logo to Snuffy and although he is perhaps regretful that his part in the design is not recognized he none-the-less knows that Snuffy has the history, documentation and artistic license at having been the creator of the design. As for the “Republic of Newfoundland” phrase, here too Snuffy appears to have the supportive evidence to back his claim to the phrase. Snuffy has even filed application for the copyright. A copyright that if completed and enforced could greatly change the use of the term on t-shirts, hats and pins in the years to come. Snuffy has said in no uncertain terms that his pursuit of the copyright is for the purpose of preserving the artistic copyright and he is committed that it will be used in the protection of the phrase for Newfoundland and Labrador’s exclusive use and hopes to in fact channel the royalties to local advocacy groups in the province. He states emphatically that he wants the copyright for the phrase to be used for the good of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Mr. Benson suggests that Snuffy’s pursuit of the copyright will be a difficult one given that the phrase is now in such a common usage throughout the province’s culture and history. He feels the phrase is destined to become another part of our oral history lost to the orators of the future and their own perceptions of the phrase’s history and inception.
In the end the tales of the two David’s is not that different. In fact aside from the finer details the story of the design of the Republic of Newfoundland appears to have a firm validity. It is in the details of its inspiration and birth that the stories conflict. But as with all stories accounted over the ages in Newfoundland and Labrador the story of the Republic of Newfoundland could not hold the same wonder and legend if it were in fact written in black and white.
Newfoundland-labrador.net wishes all the best to the two David’s. May their friendship overcome and endure. The patriotism of the David’s is strong and valuable in this Newfoundland and Labrador. Their contribution to the history and culture of Newfoundland and Labrador goes far beyond their meeting in 1983. The republic of Newfoundland and what it has become in this province has inspired youth. In no small part it has reborn the PWG and with it the spirit of a pre-confederate Newfoundland and Labrador. For some this is a trend to independency and greater autonomy, for many it points to a better place in Canada. The symbolism is deeply personal, ripe with legend and wonder. That is the true value The Republic offers. It transcends David Jackson and David Benson and has rooted itself firmly into our
cultural heritage.
***
Mr. Benson offers these footnotes to the history of The Republic:
FOOTNOTES FOR SOURCES
1. The Evening Telegram “Newfoundland Raises New Flag”. June 25, 1980.
2. The Evening Telegram. “Flew tricolour flag. City resident claims harassment by police”. March 4, 1981
3. Fitzpatrick, Margaret. “David Lindsay Benson: World View as Expressed Through Ballad, Patriotic Song and Political Parody.” MUN Folklore ms. Dec. 1, 1981.
4. The Daily News. “Pink White and Green outlawed?” July 2, 1982.
5. The Daily News. “Deputy police chief declines to comment”. July 3, 1982.
6. The Muse. “Fear and Loathing on Signal Hill”. The Daily News. “Let’s have the truth!” July 5, 1982.
7. The Daily News. “Police told flag burning planned”. July 8, 1982.
8. The Daily News. “Lecture to mark creation of Pink, White and Green.” Feb. 24, 1983.
9. The Daily News. “Pro-separatist T-shirts soon!” June 15, 1983.
10. See The Daily News, 1982 – 1984 for articles on history, music, theatre, etc. including footnotes 4, 8 & 9.
11. “Folklore Society Brownbag featuring David L. Benson, designer of the Republic of Nfld. T-shirt on The Pink, White and Green: The People’s Flag. Dec. 12. 1pm Rm A4030”
“Republic of Newfoundland” concept are available at:
http:/www.harbourcitygeneralstore.com
BNB is a
founding member of the Newfoundland
and Labrador Defense League (www.nldl.org)
and is secretary of the Community
Linkages Concept Committee (www.clccnl.ca)
He writes for newfoundlandincanada.blogspot.com
and is contributes to newfoundland-labrador.net
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