The age-herald., 1897-11-21
ETCHINGS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS,

There Is not a more tender-hearted, sympathetic race on the face of the globe than that born south of Mason and Dixon's line. They are a sentiment al people which quickly respond to ap- peals for aid from the sick and sorrow ing. When once aroused upon a sub ject when once impressed with the suf- ferings of their fellow creatures, they give of their abundance and of their penury alike. They are not counters of-cost, when their sympathies are awakened, and no needy creature ever asks in vain for aid from a genuine southerner Men and women deny themselves necessities, as well as lux uries, to assist one less fortunate, and the tear drops of angels have plotted out of the great Book the record of many a sin, because of mercies shown and charities dispensed by those whose h5aIts are open to the cries of distress.
 
 But, thus far, in the main southerners are charitable in a sporadic kind of way. It is essential to the majority of them to be confronted with ghastly pictures of agony, before they realize the neces- sity for action. Southerners talk sen timentally of the needs of the poor, and the distress of the lower classes, but thus far comparatively very few char itable institutions have been iraugur- ated which have proven self-sustaining in the south. Something more than sentimsnt is essential to relieve the sick, clothe the naked, and to assist the fallen to once more regain foothold in the unequal struggles of life.
 
 The conservatism of the people of the south has bsen as a clog that checks the revolutions of the wheels of progress. It has proven a weight that has kept strong men and women down, with their eyes fixed upon the earth, instead of looking out and beyond at the glorious possibilities of the present life. New doctrines, fresh enterprises, and broad CT views, have a tendency to alright the majority of the good people of the south. Conservatism stands in the way of advancement, and while the people of this section are occupied with keeping themselves in a position deemed satisfac- tory seventy-five or one hundred years ago, the sick are dying, the needy are stealing the clothes and food necessary to keep out cold and hunger and the poor sinner, who cries out for help, is left to perish, body and soul Some kinds of conservatism are to be con- mendsd, but prompt action in times of need is far away and beyond every form of conservatism known in social and political ethics.
 There Is conservatism and conservaf- ism. One quality of the much-talked about virtue, is essential for the preser- vation of many things essential to good manners, and good morals, and will re- ceive the commendat ton and sanction of the most progressive citizens. But there is another species of the conserv- atism which is but a newer name for antedeluvian, prehistoric ideas. Like other curious specimens of a by-gone time, it should be labelled and carefully preserved in museums, where the dead, useless things of the past give a glimpse of another and very remote period.
 
 The police records of the past week have emphasized the imperative neces- sity for reformatory, or industrial , school for young evil doers. Young girls are jailed, because there is no other place of absolute safe keeping; boys are incarcerated with hardened criminals, because of a misdemeanor, yet the state of Alabama wags along just as it has been doing since the h. dians left it. The people indorse by their conduct the legend, Here We Rest" while the great world presses for ward in the march of progress. When the necessity for a reformatory was agi- tatetd in the legislature the matter was discussed and relegated to dark oblivion. while some of the law makers wasted precious time and rendered themselves supremely ridiculous by growing faeeti- ous over a shirt waist bill" Wherever and whenever the subject is brought to tne attention of women those great con- servators of public and domestic morals it is consigred to gloomy closets, be- cause, forsooth, their hands are tied with constitutions bylaws, preambles and resolutions! The young boys and girls may lose their souls they may go to the chain gang for stealing a loaf of bread; they may be sentenced to the peniten- tiary for years for appropriating a half dozen bananas, but nothing must be done to bring them hope of redemption, be- cause there are solemn, sacrsd constitu- tions which tie the hands and energies of noble women.
 A good and timely story comes from Chicago which applies to the case in point. As is we'll known, MT. Kolshaat, proprietor of the Times Herald, is a very rich man, who has accumulated millions making pies and baking bread. On the editorial staff of his paper at one time was Mrs. Sullivan, one of the forceful writers of the west. One day she became amused at some inci- \ dent relative to pie making and pie eat ing, and being unconscious of the fact that MT. Kolshaat had been a baker. she wrote a very bright, ridiculous arti- cle upon the various methods of pie eating, and concluded by saying, But the best way to eat pies is to throw them out of the window" Her work went to the august managing editor, who enjoyed it. but immediately decided 4h I, ojr cfo