Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-07
nHE RTrTaARIAN JUDAS.

It is now very generally conceded that Ferdinand, Prince of Bulgaria, is di- rectly responsible for the death of Stam- bouloff. and that the removal of the lat ter was intended as a sap to be thrown to the Russian bear by way of propitia- ton. Stambouloff was a statesman by excellence and a diplomat by craft. He was willy and he was wise carrying out in his manner, the injunction which touches upon the wisdom of the serpent and the gentleness of the dove, the only difference being his wisdom was of the sort that never stings itself, his gentle ness that which plays with a morsel with velvet touch so that it may be gorged unbroken. Russia undoubtedly feared him as much as she hated Fer dinand
 The latter held his throne in con- stant uneasiness and anxiety, knowing that the great bear might any day con- clude to crowd him.
 Under the terms of the Berlin treaty Bulgaria must be self-governing and tributary principality, recognizing ale glance to the Sultan, but it must have "a Christian government and National militia, and the Prince of Bulgaria shall be freely elected by the population and confirmed by the sublime porte with the consent of the powers..'
 The terms of the treaty also specifi- cally declare that no representative of any of the reigning houses of the Euro pean powers can be elected to that throne. These conditions were set aside in the election of Ferdinand, his consort being the daughter of a member of the English royal house and one very near to the throne.
 The bear now calls for the removal of Ferdinand and the subsequent election of a Prince. who will be in accordance with the terms of the treaty. As his con nection with the Stambouloff tragedy has made him abhorrent to the civilized pow CTS, Ferdinand will probably go the way of all traitors. Russia is not seriously lamenting the taking off of the willy min ister, but she doubtless feels when the mighty are falling none can be secure. It would seem she waited until Ferdi- nand fulfilled her wishes in the matter, and having seen the chestnut safely out of the ashes will now deliver the burnt pair over to justice and risk the possible political upheaval knowing that what ever it brings to other nations she is sure to get out of it enough genuine en- tertainment to pay her for her trouble.
 
 Every election is a surprise to the politicians. They do not count on unseku forces. It is the undercurrent that is dangerous. These surprises are often due to organized societies voting solidly. They do not make much of a show be- fore the election, but they certainly make their influence felt when the votes are counted. The Age-Herald has already referred to the probable influence that the Prohibitionists will exert in the next election. Then there is another organi- zation that must be reconed with. It is the Society of Christian Endeavor. It was organized fifteen years ago and now numbers several million members. It sent 5O,O00 delegates to Boston. It has already entered the political field. At it's annual convention it presents a ban ner to the society that has done the best work in securing good government. Last year the society in Chicago won the ban ner. while this year it was awarded the Milwaukee society The society refused to be addressed by the mayor of Brook lyn because he did not enforce the Sun day closing law. The platform of the society declares for flaw, for order, for a pure political atmosphere" This sounds like plank in the platform of the political parties. We'll these soci- cites are nearly always arrayed on the side of good government and good mor als They will serve to keep the poli- ticians straight.
 When weak, k,weary and worn out Hoods