davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
If tt be aught toaoard the general good, Set honor in one eye and dedth i' the other.
 Julius CBsar.
Wars Are Becomina Short.

Long wars were once as common short wars are now. A sort of chronic warfare was established, becoming nearly endless. In the seventeenth century wars lasted sometimes lifetime. The war between Spain and the Dutch lasted forty-two years. and then there was the thirty years re- hgious war. In the eighteenth century the war of the Spanish succession lasted thirteen years, and wars ranging in dura- tion from seven to ten years were not un- common. In this century the Napoleonic wars may be said to have lasted fifteen years; but those great struggles practically brought to a close the series of long wars.
 Since the Napoleonic wars were ended there has not been a war of intensity and severity that lasted longer than two years, That exception covered four years-the most dreadful struggle of the century since the close of the Napoleonic wars. The war with Mexico lasted two years; with Great Britain, three years. The Crimean war was only two years in duration. In the course of single year Italy became a power. The war between Austria and Prussia was fought out in seven weeks, and the Franco-Prussian war was comprised in a single year, with all its battles and far reaching consequences. Japan and China reached treaty of peace in years time.
 The entire tendency of modern methods is 4oxva rds baox,xr copaiotc r,,,iolrIv oopd,ictod The methods of moving an army now admit of quick concentration, and improved arms bring national quarrels to quick conclu- sions. The nation that can strike the quicker and the heavier seems to be the nation that nowadays wins. This was ex- emplified in the action of Germany against France, and in the movements of the Jap anese against the Chinese. All in all the Franco-Prussian war is the best example of modern warfare. It presents a striking contrast to the crusades. which covered about two centuries, or of the war over English possessions in France that extend- ed, first and last, over a full century.
 The entire drift of warfare is towards conflicts Of short decisive nature. It Is everywhere felt that the disagreeable job should be got out of the way as soon as possible, and the nations not involved do all they can to restore peace to the world. The present war should not be exceptional. Havana should be quickly taken, and the entire affair placed where European coun- ses would be almost sure to bring Spain to an appreciation of the situation as 1t ac- tually exists. The fall of Havana, we may be sure, will practically be the end of the war.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

sale markets were taxed to find outlets for abundant supplies.
 The war should soon be over. and If it is vigorously pressed it will be out of the way when the new harvests are gathered. Grocers and butchers may still try to mantain war prices. but the actual eondi- tions of the markets will be against them, and careful observers say that the people should not be asked to pay for the neces- saries of life increased prices. The Letter influence is artificial and it is this that has spread among dealers, causing them to raise prices in very many cases when they do not have to pay penny more for goods. Determined resistance can check this tendency to cry out war prices. and to inaugurate them in the necessaries of life. Buy sparingly, eat cornbread. and do not for a moment entertain the belief that this little Spanish war has checked
 producton anywhere or increased com sumption.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
MOBILES OPPORTUNITY.
the Mobile Register.

From the AODlle INeSiStri.
 That Alabama is a state possessed Of almost unbounded resources available for development is a fact becoming more and more widely known, until it must event ually become center of industrial activi- ty equal to any other in the known world Colonel A. K. Mcclure, of the Philadel- phia Times, has stated this fact in one form or another so frequently that he mas about made us believe it ourselves, and that after all is the main thing required to bring about what he has predicted for Alabama If we can once get it into our own minds we really possess advantages In any field over our neighbors. it is pretty certain that we will sooner or later act on that belief and in such acton will be tol- lowed by the voted results. That Alabama is destined to great industrial growth there can be no question. so that 1t be- hooves Mobile to become fully aware of 1t in order that her own growth may keep pace herewith. In truth Mobile should lead in this growth. for her natural ad- vantages are such as eminently entitle her to such leadership.
 There is no point so well adapted as Mobile is to supply South America, and other foreign countries, to say nothing or a large portion of our own country with most of the manufactured articles the peo- pie to the southward require. To put this fact systematically and thoroughly before those making these articles would bring some of them here. but if only one manu- facturer in any important line should be obtained the rest would soon feel the com petition from this more favored locality and come to this locality of their own ac- cord or go out of business. This is work specially calling for the servcies of an ex- perienced commercial agent, as suggested in the Register of yesterday, and as all in- terests would be benefited from the labors of such an agent all should unite to secure one. Our railroads and steamship lines could afford to join in the inauguration of this work, for they would be probably the largest beneficiaries from it. Which of these will take the lead? The Register promises to help in any practical plan that may be suggested
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
War Prices for Necessaries.

The size and scope of the war do not justify war prices. It is a little war that may break down at any time There is nothing in market conditions that calls for general advance in prices. It is more war scare than war scarcity. There is a shortage in the worlds supply of wheat, and a merciless speculator of Chicago formed a combination that has doubled the price of flour, but the advancing har- vests in various parts of the world will while, people would eat cornbread, they would materially assist in punishing the people who have heartlessly speculated in an article of food.
 The rise in the price of flour has been the basis of an advance in other articles that butchers and grocers sell, but the testimony is so clear that none of these advances are warranted by the facts. Sup plies in each case are abundant, and prices in the wholesale markets are weak" Said A leading grocer recently In New York: .'We have not felt justified in raising the prices of groceries or food products gen erally, either immediately before or since the war As far as can see there is no logical reason for high prices in groceries. What the retailers have done. I have no way of knowing, but we have not raised the prices of groceries or canned goods to any of our retailers. There may have been slight advance in some of the arti- cles. but not enough to make it necessary to advance prices to retailers"
 If the people would use cornbread for a season, and would resist in every possible way artificial prices there would soon be an end of the attempt to demand in- Hated prices. The Letter conspiracy and tho clamor about war prices have been productive of war prices when the whole
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
Revival of Fourth of JuIys.

Florence is preparing to hold an old-fash- toned Fourth of July celebration, and all over the land there are indications of revival of the old-time enthusiasm. The fife and drum are to be revived without new accompaniments or "frills" of any kind just the music of 1776 again. The old flag will be there, too, and the old songs, and even the old-time oratory. There is feel ing that the orators cannot this year be too fervid-that the eagle cannot soar too high.
 The day had fallen into disuse as a day for celebrating the glories and liberties of the country, as a day for reviewing old memories, and for kindling in the hearts of the young patriotic impulses. This has been the case in the north as well as in the south. The country seemed to have grown away from the old-fashioned Fourth of July celebration; but the outbreak of a foreign war has drawn out the old feelings, and every American is anxious to show his devotion to Tom Jefferson's immortal declaration, and to the men who fought for and established the republic.
 It you'd be glorious thing if every town in Alabama would do as Florence is doing, and as towns all over the country are doing. All cannot have as the orator of the day the head of the state, for Florence has se- cured him, but there are plenty of speak, CTS left in the state, and they should be told to prepare speeches full of fire and old-time recollections, and full. too, of pre- dictions of the greatness and glory of the country in the coming century. Give the American bird full flight. Don't pluck a pinion from his wings.
 Such an annual revival of patriotic feel ing is worth all it costs in Its effects upon the young. The children who witness such celebrations, who hear the stirring notes of
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

France has coaling station, and where the Spanish squadron from cadiz is ex- pected to replenish it's bunkers, has been lost at sea, with all hands.
 News of the loss of the Granville has been received at the Maritime Exchange here, with the information that one body from the wreck and the brigatine's stern board, bearing her name. have been washed ashore at Port Platte Miquelon. The Gran vile sailed from North Sydney, Cape Bre- ton, several days ago, bearing over 2,0OO tons of coal for St. Pierre, which is a French colony off the south coast of New Foundland.
 The coal, it is said, was for the Spanish fleet, and was part of a consignment bought by Polo. The destination of the Granville and the consignees of her cargo were not known at the time of her depart ure from North Sydney. Her mission to St Pierre would probably never have been learned but for the disaster that overlook her.
 The Granville carried a crew of twenty men. Reports from Montreal say large quantities of coal have been bought at North Sydney recently, for shipment to St. Pierre, in the interest of the Spanish Cadiz squadron.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
Sampson and Cervera.

Too much should not be expected of sampson. He is not hunting for feet in a mill-pond. The Caribbean sea is about 1900 miles long and 500 miles wide, with ia- numerable exits between scores of islands that dot the sea from the easterly end of Cuba all the way to Trinidad and the coast of South America. This is the old hiding ground of the buccaneers, and If Admiral Cervera can continue to get coal through the efforts of the Spanish consuls he can go and come, passing the islands, and playing a game of hide and seek on a large scale. The numerous islands would perhaps fur the fleet, but the reports would doubtless become more of hindrance than q help. In fact, 1t would be impossible to depend upon intelligence that would probably be furnished for the sake of misleading Ad- miral Sampson's action. It is great game the two are playing.
 But it is impossible to see how It can be long maintained by Admiral Cervera. If his vessels need repairs or supplies, not to mention coal, he must put in somewhere. The danger of being bottled up then be- comes acute. And especially would this be true at Santiago. The city and port lie eight miles inland at the head of a compar- were caught in there by Admiral Sampson. their usefulness in this war would be ended. A monitor or two could hold them in the harbor.
 The Santiago story is, however, very inn. probable. The town is without railroad con- nections with Havana or Matanzas. The gap between It's short railroads and the Havana system being at least 201 miles, and the gap is dominated by the insurgents. The overland trip would be as difficult as a coastwise trip. Santiago might as well be on another island. The cruisers could run into Santiago, and secure perhaps some coal, but they would not be apt to tarry long there.
 They are in the Caribbean sea again be- yond a doubt and how they are to Le caught in that sea, or closely watched, no one can exactly see. While Admiral Samp- son Is guarding, for instance, the Windward passage. being the strait between Cuba and Hayti, the cruisers could enter the gulf of Mexico near the Yucatan coast or they could go to sea through scores of passages in the Leeward or Windward islands. If therefore the cruisers can secure coal aud supplies and can keep themselves in re- pair, and will keep out of the ports, they may go on indefinitely. But surely they have some mission They were not sent here to sail about aimlessly. They are burning very expensive coal. Their mission may lead to their ruin. If they had no other task than escape from Admiral Sanp- sons fleet, they could stay in the Caribbean sea indefinitely. They have abundant sea room and many exits. But if they ale in the Caribbean to do certain work, that may change the whole aspect of the case, and Admiral Sampson may steam to them waen they least expect it.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE

Flag raisings are the order of the day The last and most conspicuous flag to be raised in Birmingham was raised a day or two days by Mr. Morton Kirk Moore over the Decatur Car Wheel comr aay's shops
 The employees of this company to the at the shops and MT. Moore delivered a speech teeming with patriotism and full of eloquence and enthusiasm. MT. Moore is not only jolly good fe low, but an expert man of business, and is generally popular; but he made name for himself as ora tor on this occasion.
 There is much excitement over the judicial convent on which has been in ses- sion for almost ten days. There are several of the delegates in this convention who are getting very weary of this long drawn out contest. Several of them made trade last week and proposed that they should settle the question by each candidate ss- lecting one of his delegates ard having said delegate indulge in a set-to of the great American game known freeze out" The proposition-was that each of the four delegates selected should take unto himself twenty small pieces of ivory called by some people "ch ps,' and that they should play table stake "freeze-out," the delegates winning all the chips to be at liberty to name the judge This programme was said to have been very popular with the delegates, but the candidates would not consent and it fell through.
 T. H. Aldrich, who has just returned from trip to Washington, says that he has it from what Is considered the very best authority that the president will call for 100000 more volunteers either this week or next. Mir. Aldrich says that it has not been decided so far as is known whether the states will be called upon to furnish their pro rata share, as in the first call, or whether the apportionment will be left at the discretion of the president.
 R. c. Caldwell, manager of the Southern
 R. c. Caldwell, manager of the South Tn Lyceum Bureau, of Louisville, Is in the city arranging for a course of high-class lectures in Birmingham during the forth coming fall and winter.
 l., I. Mittelstaedt, a prominent New York banker. is in Birmingham and will remain here for several days.
 Pope McKissack of Tennessee, is in the city.
 John M. Caldwell. of Anniston is in the city.
 The following Alabamians are among those registered at the hotels yesterday: G. c. Hewitt, Corona; c. B. Wilson, Rus sellyille F. w. Coleman, Jasper; w. A. Davis, Anniston w. B. Spalding, Jasper; J. A. Huggins, Corona; w. D. Payne, or Winston county.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
cervera will at least keep steam up
THE FOURTH OF JULY.

From the Florence Times.
 The directors of the Lauderdale Fair met at the court house Monday evening and after a careful delberation concluded to give the people a grand Fourth of July celebration. MT. A. J. Walker, vice-presi- dent of the association, proposed that we give a regular old-fashioned barbecue and that our local talent be engaged to deliver addresses suitable for the occasion. A sug- gestion was made that Governor Johnston be invited to deliver an oration, which suggestion met with unanimous consent, and Mr. George P. Jones was requested to confer with the governor and obtain his consent to the proposition.
 A committee was appointed consisting of Walker and Shelton to solicit donations to the barbecue. A subscription was started and $35 was subscribed at once by those present. The directors feel confident that 1t will meet With the approval of our entire county and the invitation is cordially ex- tended to adjoining counties to meet with us on this the nations greatest holiday.
 After the speaking and barbecue there will be a few pacing, trottng and mounted races, though racing will not be the leading feature of the day. There will also be other amusements and attractions which the committee on entertainment will devise In due time. We want the people from far and near to feel that the Fair association belongs to them for their beneftoaotand ah belongs to them for their use and benefit. It Is the only piece of property in the coun- ty that belongs to everybody. We want the cooperation of every liberty-loving citizen in the county. Let us call off this one day from the toilfng pursuits of life and cele- brate in a proper manner one of the great est historic events. in a national sense, that has ever occurred in the human family,
 Later-5fnce the above was put in type, a telegram from Governor Johnston has been received accepting the invitation.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

fife and drum, and listen perhaps to the speaker of the day. carry memories of it to the end of their days. and they become better citizens for it. It brings home to them the story in which their forefathers took part and liberty becomes to them tangible thing. They see how much 1t cost, and they also begin to see what a precious possession it is. Let every town do as Florence is doing. All over the land desire is springing up for Fourth of July of the old sort with no limitations or amendments of later times-a day for pa- triots instead of philosophers-a day devot- ed to liberty and the heroes of 1776 instead of a day spent in considering sociology and modern evolutions. The American eagle is again the national bird.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
THE SONG OF THE SPANISH MAIN.

THE SONG OF THE SPANISH MAIN. John Bennett in the Clasp Book. Out in the south, when the day is done. And the gathered winds go free. Where golden-sanded rivers run. Fair islands fade in the setting sun, And the great ships stagger, one by one, Up from the windy sea. Out in the south, when twilight shroud Hangs over the oceans rim, Sail on sail like floating cloud, Galleon, brigantine, cmannon-browed. Rich from the Indies homeward crowd, Singing a Spanish hymn. Out in the south, when the sun has set. And the lightning fickers pale, The cannon below their deadly threat, The ships grind, all In crimson sweat, And hoarse throats call: Have you stricken
 yet?'
 Across the quarter-rail. Out in the south. in the dead of night, When hear the thunder speak, Iris the Englishmen, in their pride and e might, Mad with glory and blind with fight, Locked with the Spaniards, left and right, Fighting them cheek to cheek Out in the south. when the dawn's pale
 light
 Walks cold on the beaten shore, And the mists of the night like clouds of
 fight, Silvery violet, blinding bright, Drift in glory from height to height. Where the whte-tailed eagles soar; There comes song through the salt aad
 spray,
 Blood-kin to the oceans roar, "All day long down Florez way Richard Grenvillc stands at bay. Come and take him if ye may
 Then hush forevermore.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
SHORT STORIES
 OF THE DAY.

How Joseph Chamberlain First MetHis Wife
 The speech of Joseph Chamberlain. aa- vocating an alliance between Great Britain and the United States, has attracted so much attention that many persons in dis cussing the subject recall the visit which MT. Chamberlain made to Washington in 1887 as chairman of the fisheries commits sion. He was the social lion of the hour. Baltimore lady who met him tells the following story to the Sun:
 ''He was a big. burly man, caring so lit- tie for his appearance that at one of the most fashionable dinners of the season his cravat got turned to almost under his ear and his shirt stud came unfastened, and he sat calmly obivious to either accident. His brains and charm in conversation won him friends wherever he went
 "One day he called on lady who hap pened to be giving a girls luncheon. She went out at once to see him, and laugh ingly said that if he d d not mind bsing the only man present she would be de- lighted if he would come in the din ng room and take the vacant place of one of her young friends who did not come. He was not afraid to face lot of American beauties,' so he accepted gaily and the vacant place happened to be next that Of Miss Endicott, daughter of Secretary Of War William c. Endicott, of Massachu- setts, dove-like. slender girl, one of the grea fst bells of the day.
 '"The outcome of this was the marriage of the English statesman and the Puritan maid as she was often called his neighbor at an entertainment to which he had only been bidden by that fate which shapes our ends, rough hew them as we will
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
JAPAN's COLONIAL EXPERIENCE
From the Portland Argus.

From the P0rtIdfu ATBuS.
 Japan's' experience in territorial agran- dizement as far as she has got is not of the sort to induce hankering after more. Ac- cording to c. Kadono. the head of a large mercantile house In Japan, the acquisition of Formosa Is an experiment that is cost ing s6,000O00 year and bringing in no rev enue in return. Japan has all she can at- tend to in that island without casting cov- etous glances at the Philippines.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

The wheat harvest is progressing in Texas, and the crop is we'll headed out as far north as southern Illinois. The pros pective crop of winter wheat now promises to be the largest ever grown in this coun- try,
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
sPAIN,s COAL sHIP LOST.

New York, May 22.-rhe French brig antine Djonne Granville. said to be the first vessel of the fleet chartered by Senor Polo. former Spanish minister at Washington, to carry ssal to St. Pierre. Miquelon. where
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

Prince Bismarck condemns in the United States what he induced Germany to un- dertake on a wholesale scale. Landgrab- ping is good it seems, for the German goose, but not for the American gander.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

The kid military nominations have all senate that senators and representatives in the states that developed the nominees were the really guilty parties.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

Whatever else may occur in 1900 any anti annexation party that may arise will go diers and sailors win will remain in the hands of the conquerors This is history.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

The Sixth Massachusetts last week again marched through Baltimore, but this time it encountered only blossoms and honors and kind words. Massachusetts and Mary land are now friends who will emulate country. The scars of thirty-seven years ago are forgotten.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24
The Spirit of Columbus Lives

From the Memphis Commercial Appeal
 Just as soon as a, fellow is satisfied that he has learned all his geography lessons, the Spanish fleet opens up new territory oi which he had never dreamed.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

The Montgomery Commercial and Indus- troops mobilized in it's city. It desires to enliven the dull summer months. It should first enliven it's recruiting offices. The Second Alabama volunteers would be pleased to hear from Montgomery's Com mercial and Industrial association.
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

Spain may tell one too many stories about sending ships and troops to the Phil ippines. Uncle Sam may believe some of them, and dispatch a fleet to Cadiz
The age-herald., 1898-05-24

Captain Clark, of the Oregon, rises to say that he did not go out of his way to avoid Cervera's fleet. He minded his own business, and the esteemed Cervera did likewise.