Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-10
OUR SOCIAL WORLD.

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 tAIl items of social interest will be gladly noted in these columns if sent to Mrs. George c. Ball. Nineteenth street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High lands. Telephone 9SS)
 The effort being made by Mayor van Hoose to secure the national flag for our public school buildings has much great CT significance, a more far-reaching lm- portance than has perhaps been attached to it by the citizens of Birmingham. Such things, apparently small in themselves, will have a serious bearing upon the prin- ciples and politics of the rising genera tion. The laws of the near future are to be formulated by the boys who are now quietly learning their lessons In tho school rooms which cover this fair land of ours. The principles of the next gen eration will be influenced and largely controlled by the little maidens who now carry every morning their books and lunch baskets along our streets and greet you with sunny smiles and happy, care free faces. The lessons now learned by these same boys and girls will in future years be the constitutions of our states. No man or woman holds greater power for good or evil than he or she who daily directs the intelligence of the youth or America, and an influence which IS sim ply negative can almost be counted on the side of evil He who writes the songs of a nation is insignificant compared with him who teaches the children of his coun- try. Every teacher has an opportunity to reach the future, to connect the pres ent with the coming years if he employs, as he should, the tremendous forces at ms command. And this bringing to the at tentlon of our children the grandeur or our republic, the greatness of our people and the vast possibilities of our future by the flying of our national flag over the school houses is eminently correct and patriotic It is another step in the direc- tion of "Americanism," and everything that tends thereto should be fostered and encouraged. This Is rendered the more needful because of our lax immigration laws and the ease with which naturali- zation papers are secured. According to the present laws of our country the for eigner has largely the advantage of the young men who are native Americans, in that a brief season of residence fits the former--no matter how ignorant or vicious-Afor the right of suffrage, while 1t requires twenty-one years of training and education to entitle the latter to the privilege of the ballot.
 The trend of public opinion Is towards a radical change in this faulty arrange ment. The children of our country should be taught not only the funda- mental principles of our government but the grand doctrine of American ism." and all efforts in that direction should be encouraged by the parents of our future lawmakers. In no section of the United States is this feeling stronger than in the south. and the explanation is a simple one. Living as we do, remote from the great seaports. from the cities which receive the thousands of foreign CTS who crowd upon our shores, the origi-- nal principles which are embodied in the constitution have been unchanged in their interpretation by a people whose Anglo Saxon blood has not been mixed and diluted with other races. We are law-abidng, God-fearing and conserva- tive people, and we shall so continue as long as we hold uppermost this grand doctrine of "Americanism."
 The interest in the independence of Cuba grows apace with the people of the United States. The stories that come to us of Spanish intolerance and despotism have awakened a general feeling of in- dignation throughout the country and especially in the south. The relations existing between the southern states and Cuba have always been so close and friendly that the desire for Cuban inde- pendence is almost universal. In various cities of the country clubs or women are being formed by Cubans and their sym pathizers which have for their object the aiding of the insurgents in every way possible for women to do. A society in New York called Daughters Of Cuba" has issued this address to the women of the United States:
 sisters: The time has come for all daughters of America to unite in helping our brothers in their unequal struggles. The world knows what Spanish domination is The darkest pages of the history of humanity are those which refer to atrocities com mitted by Spaniards wherever they own lands The Netherlands, Portugal, Mex leo, Italy, Peru and the greater part of the American continent have suffered under their intoerable yoke, and all these countries have succeeded In gain ing their independence. Cuba and Porto Rico are the only ones not governed by themselves. but it is not Cuba's fault; it is the fault of the countries that help Spain to maintain Cuba in slavery.
 Since 1918 Cubans have been trying to gain their independence. During this lime there has not been day of rest in Cuba Since ISIS the most talented Gu bans have been banshed from the island for their talent and patriotism. Many have been sentenced to death. Tn Puerto Principe in 1926 fell the first victims of liberty and from that day to the present the Spaniards have not pardoned any Gu ban who has tried tQ obtain his liberty The letters that we -eceive from all parts of the world offering aid and sympathy prove that our cause is just. The prin- ciples that fill Cuba with blood today are the same your fathers had in their strug- gle for independence, and the Spaniards of today are the same ferocious men of that time It is publicly announced that Spain has pardoned all convicts in Cuba and other prisoners on condition that