Birmingham age-herald., 1895-06-09
TREND OF THE TIMES.

To whom may whisper solitude IS
 sweet
 No one is completely happy. There is always some little vacuum or a missing link to complete our ideal of complete happiness, and knowing these facts we need not give time to sighs and regrets. but only take visible note Of the good things that a kind providence has be- slowed upon us. Truly, the whole world loves a bright. cheery person, while they feel very much like running from a croaker
 The magazines and Sunday pa pers have of late loosened their hold on Napoleon. He has certainly been the hero of 1895 among our leading journals. Even the children's papers have been eopiously sprinkled with the juvenile acts of the little corporal. Certainly all noted men have once been little boys, and if you want to interest children you must give them something they under stand and relish and they must under stand a subject to enjoy it.
 Circumstances have much to do with ones life. Napoleon was born and bred in the time of great political upheavals, consequently his thoughts naturally drifted into that channel His educa- tion and surroundings all pointed the bent of his natural inclination. His was a military life and in that life work he was ambitious just as we see men today in the various vacations of life striving to gain all the honor and wealth that their ambition may crave. In many things Napoleon is not. be admired, but ono must admire his push and en- ergy, his diplomatic and executive abil- ity. TEefe was always a grand system His way was always duly planned He never rushed madly into anything with out counting cost. yet his actions often appeared an open contradiction to this fact. His last hours previous to battle were spent in seclusion and thought, mapping and planning the course to pursue. In the chapter of his life at St. Helena he has my heartfelt sympathy.
 Well. I think even woman would know that there would be no political economy in the transferring of the cab inet officers, which some wiseacre has suggested would be the result of the va cancy caused by the death of Secretary Gresham. I think that the suggestion was only made to arouse comment, not that there was the least probability of such an occurrence. All the papers must have their say on the subject What a privilege! And l believe each one has named their man or made a guess as to who would fill the vacancy. Mir Gresham held very important position in our government, and did his work in an able and satisfactory manner. He was mild and conservative in his views. True, he may not have gotten in as much blood and thunder talk as some would like who wish to show their .corns on all occasions. A wise and we'll balanced secretary of state means a great deal for the peace and quiet of a government It seems, at times, that Mir. Lincoln was almost afraid of his secretary of state President Lincoln was a man of the deepest sympathy. and tears had a gen. tie influence over him which often brought DAr1OnS fO tho pnn6app od while Mir. Seward, his secretary of states, idea was law to the letter.
 When it was announced that President Cleveland had found his secretary of state in Walter O. Gresham, the surprise of the public was unbounded, not deem- ing him incapable. but they had simply failed to consider him. The whole world was agog for a moment only and then moved quietly onward knowing the complete fitness of things MT. Gresham, though financially poor, was rich in principles which were far dearer to him than gold. ,The conven- tion of populists at Omaha made d futile but urgent request for MT Gresham to accept it's nomination for the presidency or their party, but he very decidedly re- fused. And it is said that some of his friends on hearing of his appointment to | head the cabinet at once thought of his financial ability and were afraid that he would not accept for this reason, that cabinet officer must necessarily be rich man to be able to perform all the social functions that are required of them. So deeply interested were they that they made a purse of $50000 and presented to him. His reply was that he had not earned 1t and could not accept it. Strange that ones dearest friends will so often make such bunglng errors.
 Mir. Gresham was a pensioner for ser vices rendered -during the civil war. but when he accepted the appointment of secretary of state he rejected the pen sion.
 Tn his last hours his thoughts were for his dear wife. telling his daughter not to trouble about him, but to see that her mother had every attention. A beau tiful example, even in death
 This is surely a reading and writing age Never before has there been such an opportunity before the people for inn provement. Some of the leading month"; lies are only S1 a year; then the papers are so much more numerous than form erly. and books by the best authors are to be had at such reduced prices Were l going to write a book ] would have such a lot of pleasant-faeed, matronly women, good mothers. giving their best efforts and thoughts to their home; not drudging, drudging away until life was one weary monotonous round of work and worry, excluding or crowding out every finer principle and thought for physical comfort I would have them neat. practical and systematical with tfflaa For hn 1F I.14..