davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1898-10-23
SPARROWS THAT NEST HIGH.
From our Animal Friends.

From our Animal Friends
Since the tall Office buildings have come into
vogue the sparrows have gone upward 10 build
their nests, and broods are reared every season a
hundred feet or more above the street Inc
young nedglings are safe from cats and annoy
ing small boys, but their security in that re
spect is offset by the danger of falling out Of
the nest. The parent birds are SO fearful or
such accident that one or the other stands on
guard at all hours Of the day.
When the time al prOaches for the young bras
to fly the parents show their anxiety in many
ways They seem 70 try TO induce their young
t. remain in their nests until their wings are
strong enough to support them, but II one should
flop out before the proper time the TWO oid pifuS
go to the rescue.
An instance of this kind happened few days
ago al old Trinity. The Steepe OF the ChuTcn IS
a favOrite breeding place of the sparr0WS. ana
clumsy nests are poked away in every nook ana
corner In nest perched nearly up to the cross
that surmOunts the steeple the second brood OF
young sparrows have just reached the hyihS
age cnd the other day the foremost youhGsttr
for ;ed over the side Of the nest ana came
tumbl.ng down toward the hard pavement.
His vain efforts to use his wings only mu!tlpled
his strange gyrations through the air, Tut Le-
fore he could reach the ground the two parent
sparrOws had darted downward IN time 10 re-
ceive him their backs.
1t was impossible for them to fly with the bird
on their shoulders, hut they Elded slowly down
ward with wings outspread until they reached
the. top of the trees. where they managed 10
land the youngster safely among the sheterinS
branches. ,.,, -. g..
he lessons
Young birds reared in such high homes. Inc
first night Of the nedgiing must of necessity be
81 tort and if he should attempt 70 ny down
ward to the street he would undoubtedly
plunge forward with such impe tuosity as 10
kin him when he reached the pavement CON
seauently the parent birds direct the irSt ilIght'
either to "A ncighboring roof short distance be
low or if the high building stands alone they
teach the ncdgling To jump from thelr nest
straight out and then upward. and at last back
again toward the building. They mus descrinc
an inward circle and land with iiop on the
roof.
On these tall roofs the young birds receive
II cir regular lessons fiying tack ard fotth IN
perfect safety. with neither cats nor small hoys
10 disturb them. and tEcr" thoy remain until
tL,jT strength and their wings are fully de-
yIcrcd Then they are Taught 10 fy down 10
the rCofs and from there t. .hc street
Tho first attempts Of the young BIRDS 10 ny
from their nests to the roof overhead are anus
ing They Jump cut into space aLi .uttcr with
Uncertain flight upward and then attempt ID
turn "A sharp angle. They are not always sue
cessful and sometimes begin to descend before
they have reached the edge oi the roof, Dut u
there is danger Of their missing IT the parent
birds flop against them with such force as 10
knock them several feet toward the building.
1t is a rude way to treat the little ones, pu1
il is safe and eifectuaL
New-York tribune., 1898-10-23

discussion or excitement Joseph Jefferson Is
playing 1.-The Rivals at the Fifth Avenue The
atre and the time when he will change his bill
10 rip Van Wrinkle" is deferred There Is no
need OF hurrying another play as long as SO
many people want to the present one
New-York tribune., 1898-10-23

~ mp van Winkle is deferred There iS no
need OF hurryng another play as long as SO
many people want to see the present one.
The probable opening OF the ramatic season
af Days Theatre about the middle OF next
month leaves three weeps more for the run OF
a Runaway Girl" which is prospering so large
" Just now that it seems that ii could stay
much longer II there were room on the stage
for IL The return of the dramatic company
will be welcomed. however. Nine. Sans Gene"
with Miss Ada Rehan in the title part Is still
announced for the opening
The portion OF the public which supports the
performances Of the Castle Square Opera Com
pany at the American Theatre seems to prefer
grand opera At least the example of II
which has been offered this season has filed
the house for two weeks better than any OF the
lighter works has done for week. OF course
public what it wants, if he can find out what
II is, wher fore little more grand opera will be
given at the American before there is any
turn to the comic or the light. The selection for
this week is III Trovatore" which proved to be
one Of the fayorites of the companys season a
year ago.
The farce Hotel Topsy Turvy' is improving
fs standing at the Herald Square Theatre.
where il seems TO grow in favor as it becomes
more firmly established and the changes that
are brought about make It more nearly what
the public OF the theatres seems TO desire
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
Judge and Candidate.

The Hon. AUGUSTUS VAN WICK, nomi-
mated by the Democrats for Governor on q
platform that attempted to suppress Bryan
ism, is said to be perfectly reputable as q
private citizen, and worthy as a Judge.
When he becomes q political candidate,
however, he must stand by the test to
which he had to submit before being put
on the ticket.
The indispensable qualification OF can
didate chosen to run upon the platform
that sneaked from Organism without con-
demnlng 1t was that in 1896 he should
have voted for the free coinage Of silver
at the ratio Of 10 TO 1. Without that Judge
VAN WICK could not have been nominated
any more than his brother, ROBERT, could
have been nominated last year for Mayor
Of New York, OIL the Hon. ALTON B. PARKER
named as Democratic candidate for Judge
of the Court Of Appeals.
The excellent citizen now heading the
Democratic ticket knew free silver to be
fraud and national disgrace; but he voted
for it, either with an y to subsequent
Democratic nominations, or because fraud
was less repugnant to him than the sense Of
what he would call partisan disloyalty."
In %seconding his nomination, the Hon.
WILLIAM SU1zEB described Judge VAN
WICK as ian honest man." Yet he voted
for the dishonesty Of free silver.
Judge VAN WICK was convinced, in COM
pany with the New York Democratic State
Convention held prior to the Chicago Con-
v~ention, that without international coop
Grafton, the.present gold standard Is essen
tial to the preservation Of our national
credit, the redemption Of our public pledges
and the keeping inviolate Of u country's
honor" When it came to voting time he
bowed and declared for the Bryan fraud,
throwing the country's credit, its public
pledges and its honor to the devil.
What he was ashamed Of and knew to be
national fraud and national dishonor on a
scale hitherto unknown in any civilized
country, he voted for on election day.
A distorted and depraved moral sense that
moved q man to that does not make the cpl
tibet honest" sit easy on him or commend
him for popular support in the Empire State.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01

Of rulers can belooked for at an early day,
for the Empress Dowager is but 90, and she
will see TO Il that KwANosUs successor 10
some one whom she can easily control.
The remarkable woman who, from 1891,
was ~co-ruler of the Middle Kingdom with
the Empress Isl TsHI, the principal widow
Of the Emperor HrENFUNo, and after the
latter lady's death in 1881, was virtual
ly sole ruler until 1894, has shown her sa-
gaoity In the choice Of q pretext for the re-
sumption Of authority. By the rescript
proclaiming q radical reform Of Chinese ed
u~cation, through the substitution of Euro
pean science for the Confucian classics, the
unfortunate KwANGsU gave deep offence to
the Mandarins and the hterdti; in other
words, aroused against himself the very
forces which proved strong enough, two
thousand years ago, to bafne the NAPo-
LEON Of China and to bring about
the displacement Of the Tsin by the Han
Dynasty. Since KwANosU's deposition, the
~prejudices Of the common people also have
been iniamed against him by the probably
fictitious assertion that he had prepared q
second rescript abollshing the pigtail, and
ordering the assumption Of European dress.
Under the circumstances, 1t is not surpris-
ing that the fate OF the unfortunate ov-
ereign should be regarded with Indifference
by his subjects.
The task Of reform to which he set
himself, at the instigation. apparently,
Of KANo w WEI, was one altogether
beyond his powers. 1t is true that he
had before his eyes the example Of similar
innovations carried out in Japan, but the
Japanese are a much less conservative peo-
pie than the Chinese, and the representative
Of the decayed and detested Manchus was
but Ill qualified to play the part that almost
overtaxed the influence with which the ven-
Grafton Of ages had invested the Mikado.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
A nud,crous "Reform % Party.

The platform adopted by the Democratic
party at Syracuse, on Thursday, must occa-
sion much amusement in the State, both in
that party and outside Of 1t. After lodging
the Chicago platform, the authoritative
standard Of politicalfaith OF the Democratic
party, 1t proceeds to ask public support for
itself as the vigorous and outspokon party
Of reform in the State. Domen who dare not
confess the faith of their party, lest by so
doing they should provoke distrust In the
State, demonstrate the courageous convic-
ton which invites confidence in their dis
position or competency to reform anything 2
Obviously, first Of all, they need moral
reform In themselves. II those OF them
who dissent radically from the Democratic
standard of political faith were honest men
deserving to be ~intrusted with any sort Of
reform or to command any degree Of re-
spect, they would not hesitate to reject that
standard boldly and as q conscientious
obligation. They would insist on showing
their true political colors before all men.
If they are afraid to do 80, how can the
courage requisite to carry through State
reforms be expected from themP
1t is creditable to the Bryan Democrats
that they were only prevented from declar-
ing their true political faith by the tactics
Of the leaders Of the convention. They
wanted to follow the time-honored rule In a
Democratic State Convention Of declaring
allegiance to the doctrine OF the National
Democratic party, but their efforts were
sti1ed, although In this election the enun-
ciated principles Of the party are involved
plainly. since a United States Senator and q
full delegation to Congress are to be elected.
The Democrats who protested against the
Chicago platform and still protest against
1t, apparently, made no show Of their con-
v~ictions in this convention. Only Bryan
ties showed courage; the others exhibited
only cowardice. No gold man arose to pro-
pose and advocate any expression In the
platform favorable to his views.
The Democrats who kept their party
dominant 30 long in this republic were not
OF that sort. Take away from Democracy
the germ Of national principle, timidly re-
moved by the Syracuse Convention, and it
is q dead party. When 1t Is afraid and
ashamed, as was this Democratic Conven-
ton, to confess that it belongs to the great
Democratic party as q whole, 1t becomes
nothing more than an eccentric political
organization, with principles and preten-
sions varying according as it deems them
most profitable as a means Of obtaining
local power. 1t is no more the Democratic
party of an illustrious history.
The people of New York must laugh;
Democrats themselves must laugh. when a
party which is afraid to acknowledge it's
principles poses as a party worthy to be
intrusted with a task Of reform demanding
primarily and necessarily unfinching cour-
age and outspoken honesty.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
Tho Palace Revolution at Pekln.

Even In the matter Of coups detat, prece-
dents are followed strictly in China. This
Is not the first time in Chinese history that
an ambitious woman has seized the sub
stance Of power, and on each occasion the
~usurpation has been succeeded by the an
nouncement that the deposed sovereign
was seriously Ill. The people being thus
prepared for evil tidings would presently
be informed that the illness had had q
fatal termination. There Is reason to fear
that this will be the fate Of the Emperor
KwANGsU, who vas practically dethroned
the other day by the rescript, Of course ex-
torted from him, recalling the Empress
Dowager Isl AN to the imperial func-
tions which she ostensibly resigned four
years ago. As on Monday OF this week an
edict was issued expressing regret for the
increasing i'll health of the Emperor and
summoning to his assistance the best ply
sicians from all the provinces, we may
presently expect to hear that he has sue
cumbed to the malady by which, in the
Middle Kingdom, superfiuous rulers are apt
TO be affected.
There Is no doubt that, between the En-
press Dowager and the deposed and impris-
oned Emperor, 1t is now a duel to the death,
and that the latter can be rescued only by
the prompt intervention OF Great Britain.
There ia, as yet, no sign Of such a move
ment, although KANa YU WEI, the Empe-
ror's favorite. who Is said to have suggested
the reforms recently proclaimed, has taken
refuge under the British flag. There may
be no ground for the report that he has
brought a petition for British aid signed by
his imperial master. but no such appeal is
needed to demonstrate that the palace rev.
olution at Pekin involves at least a tempo
Tary triumph Of Russia over English intlu-
nos Whether OF no the Empress Dow
ager will restore Ii HUNG CHANG imme-
diateiy to the Office from which he
was removed lately. undoubtedly he
will resume In private the part Of
principal adviser. There is little likeli-
hood, therefore, that, under the new regime,
Great Britain, the United States or Japan
will secure any concessions in the Celestial
Empire which Russia may deem 1t worth
while to oppose. The powers that desire to
uphold the territorial integrity Of China and
to thwart the designs Of Russia, which aim
at nothing short Of the eventual absorption
Of the whole region north of the Hoang Ho,
may soon have to resort to measures more
effective than diplomatic protests. From
the authorities Installed at Pekin by the
coup dEtgt. the champions OF the "open
Aoog" hAN nothing 70 hope, and no change
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
BARNARD COLLEGES TASK.
Must Raise $4,000 by Octs 5 or Lose .
Chance of Becoming Self-SupportinE.

Must Raise O5S,OOO by Oct. 5 or Lose .
Chance of Becoming Self-SuDpOrtinE.
II within three days Barnard College can
raise $58.000 to clear of its Indebtedness it
will receive an endowment fund Of 100000
from . prospective benefaotor at present
anonymous. II it cannot. 1t will lose in addi-
ton to the Sl00, 900 a conditional anonymous
subscription OF $4,000 and q conditional
subscription from John D. Rockefeller OF S10.-
600. Including these sums. $4,000 has been
raised since Jan. 1. The $4,000 has been con-
tributed by twenty-eiRht persons in response
to the appeal to persons willing to give 81 900
apiece to the college. Some of the twenty
eight gave a little more than the 81. 900. some q
little less. The entire Indebtedness to be COW
cred is S13O.0OO. This means that the Barnard
raising. will take of their jackets and work
like candidates at a convention to get that
$4,000 subscribed by Oct. 3.
The expenses of the college have been heavy
since last year, owing to the removal OF the
college to Morningside Heights. necessitatinR
equipment for the new halls and the building
Of a SlQ.0O0 tunnel under Manhattan avenue.
Columbia University. The wipinE out OF the
debt would mean . saving Of 5000 a year for
interest and an income of 5000 a year from
the 100000 beQuest. This would make Bar
nard practically self-supporting. The college
opens on Monday with an enrolment OF 308
students. Fisks Hall. a dormitory put up by
Mrs. Josiah NJ. Flske. which has ~accommoda-
Susan G.. Walker. a daughter OF Admira
Walker, will be in charge.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01

Mauser and the KragJBrgenssn rifles we
must await the detailed reports. It seems
certain, however, that tho new small-calibre
arms are "merciful," in the sense Of allow
ing a largo proportion Of the wounded to
recover rapidly, although, Of course, the
influence Of antiseptic appliances and other
improvements in modern surgery must not
be forgotten.
There lie good testimony that the feld
dynamite gun used at Santiago was very
effective. The Cubans had long used such
weapons, but they were novel to u troops
in actual service.
That the newlight uniforms for the troops
commended themselves Is clear, and what
was learned in regard TO clothing will be
OF use for our permanent garrisons In
the Antilles and the Philippines. As to
transports, Gen. SHAFTER pointed out that
they should be fitted with hammocks in
stead of hunks, as the former give moro
ventilation, can be removed during the
day, and diminish tho danger from fire.
DR.. CASTILLO, the well-known Cuban, holds
that troops serving in the tropics ought to
sleep in hammocks, especially during the
rainy season.
In short, although our land operations in
the war proved briefer than had been looked
for, they taught us much, and all that we
learned will come in good play hereafter.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01

This IL the wayin which the BtUIdlo OOts-
risr, a Democratic journal, speaks Of THEo-
DoRE ROOSEVELT:
"If eligible, he is both . tAI-dodGsr ana . per
iurer."
II this is to be the tone OF the Democratic
campaign, the friends Of ROOSEVELT, how
ever indignant they may be, will have no
cause to complain that fortune is not favor
ing their candidate. He IL known as few
men are. His character and his honor can
not be successfully attacked. The very
men who will continue to speak and write
lies about him know perfectly well that
they are lies. Almost every campaign has
tie terrible blank cartridge. This rumpus
about RoosEvELT's eligibility is the blank
cartridge fred at him.
The fellows who are accusing and abus-
ing ROOSEVELT have not stopped to think
that in assailing q gentleman and a soldier
Of known stainless honor, who Ii, as he de-
serves to be, the most. popular citizen OF
New York, they do not merely rasp the
general sense Of justice, but they stir to
hot q the generous instincts Of o COM
munity which sees q brave and upright
man insulted and lied about.
60 We say to the poor fools who are bel
lowing about RoosEvEbTs "tax lodging"
and perjury" Keep 1t upi You are max
ing votes for ROOSEVELT, and they are
votes Of Democrats.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
Tho Men Below the Gum.

To THE EDITOR OF THE sUN-Sir: The mention of
the names of the faithful ones who served In tho
conflict with Spain on the various vessels of war, but
beneath the decks. seems to be 4 proper tribute to n
heroism little surpassed by tho excellent Officers and
men who dealt the blows. To be sure. they have re-
ceived some credit in 9 general way at tho hands of
those editors who wrote in glowing terms OF The
Men Beneath the Decks but why quote them as
heroes who brought success in q great measure to
the American flag, and never mention . nAmef
Are the people content to read OF the deeds Of some
unnamed great Admiral. or the doings OF q doughty
Captain with name unmentionedf 1t seems that,
having bestowed newspaper praise on almost every
name OF n man who did a deed OF valor, these men
should receive exactly the same kind OF mention.
Each State printed the names OF its soldiers ON the
rolls; why not print the names Of those men who
continued to do their duty faithfully. not knowing
at the time whether the boat was being worsted or
whether sinkingf They were prepared TO 60 down to
the deep at any instant. Their hope for life was
moro perilous than that of many another.
ALBANY. N. Y. CUTLEA REYNOLDS.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
The Proposed Peace JublleeS.

Chicago and Philadelphia and perhaps
some other American cities are arranging
for impressive ceremonies Of one kind or
another, to occur during the month that
opens to-day, In celebration OF the return
Of peace. These proposed celebrations are
styled Peace Jubilees. President McKN-
LEY has formally accepted an invitation to
attend the Philadelphia Peace Jubilee.
But peace has moi yet been concluded be-
tween this country and Spain. The exact
status IL that Of an armistice, q suspension
Of hostuities to allow time for negotiations
to determine whether we shall have peace
without a further resort to arms. The de-
cision Of this question rests primarily with
the Spanish Commissioners now in Paris.
Through the French Ambassador at Wash
ington the Spanish Government, as the de-
fsated party In the military and naval
operations up to that time, practically
sued for terms. Commissioners were ap-
pointed on the part Of the United States to
meet the representatives Of Spain. It yet
remains to be seen whether our terms will
be accepted. In the event Of failure to reach
an agreement, the armistice will terminate,
actual hostilities may be resumed, and the
relaClon5 between Gne Two countries Will pe
those of war, not Of peace.
Does the Spanish Government really un-
derstand its position? Are its representa-
tives ut Paris sent thither to face squarely
!, and candidly the situation brought about
by the overwhelming American victories in
the recent conflict OF arms; or does the
obstinate folly which brought upon our
adversary and ourselves the evils Of war
still hope to avert by diplomatic evasion,
delay, and intrigue the righteous penalty OF
its past blindness?
II the promoters Of the Jubilees Of Octo-
her have authentic information as to the
attitude and intentions Of the Spanish Com
missioners at Paris, they are perhaps war
ranted in continuing their preparations for
the celebration OF Peace. Otherwise, their
well-meant projects are premature.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-10-01
Some Suggestions of tho War.

Had our war with Spain lasted longer it
would nave afforded more opportunity for
some first tests OF various military appli-
ances, such as, for example, our new field
mortars. Still, much was learned as 1t was.
The %Spaniards at Santiago employed
barbed wire for d~efences, and it served to
hold our men under a severe fire for a
time, although 1t could not permanently
check them. 1t appears that they managed
to french and trample it down, here and
there, or to pull up the posts on which 1t
was fastened. There had also been pro-
vided, for some troops, shears for cutting
such wire. On the whole, its value for de-
tanning troops under fire seems to have
been established, but 1t must be used liber-
ally and with careful placing in order to
delay a ~resolute advance.
The war balloon received O service test at
Santiago, and proved OF some use. Gen.
SHAFTER says in his report that "a few
hundred yards before reaching the San Juan
the road forks. q fact that was discovered
by Lieut.. Col. DERBY Of my staff. who had
approached well to the front in a war
balloon" This important information led
to SUMMERS moving along the right
manu- TOhu, WHllO hENT was dDl0 10 use
the road to the left. But a serious Offset
was that, as the balloon moved along
the Aguadores River, it disclosed our line
of advance to the enemy, who poured
in a destructive fire along the path thus
indicated. Again, when it moved across
our front 1t attracted fire TO our lines, 80
that when at last it was disabled and came
down there was general relief. The evil
dence is abundant that 1t indicated the
positions OF our troops when otherwise the
thick underground might have concealed
them. Hereafter. therefore, 1t will be nec-
essary to adopt methods of using war bal
looms so that they will not disclose to the
enemy more than to US.
Smokeless powder completely established
itself in the Santiago campaign. The re-
ports all show how much 1t aided the Span
lards in cOncealing their positions. 1t is
absolutely certain that hereafter both for
the navy and the army smokeless powder
will be supplied
AZ to the exact relative merits Of the