The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-13

and 1t seems to me the spirit of patriot
ism and robust Americanism Is the in
spiration of all our acts in this behalf
OF course, human greed may prevail for
the time, but it will soon have to hide its
head and let freedom and liberty take
their course. The great and immortal
trainers of the common law made most
egregious mistakes in the beginning of
the establishment of that colossal system
that now is the rule of action of all
English speaking peoples, and is the adj
miration of mankind. Pruning and par
ing. amendment and amendment contin-
ued until the system has been perfected,
until its principles now, like the care of
a nursing mother, reach out and embrace
all the affairs of our race. So it will be
with the Philippine question I never
distrust the American people or bellttle
American craftsmanship. 1t will all come
right and the American people will stand
forth as the most envied people of the
world-grander and greater because of
their mistakes that they have remedied
themselves. They will have conquered
and govern themselves, and this is the
matchless prize of all human ambitions.
American capacity is equal to the mas
terry of all concomitants and surround
ings of her own civilization and the pro-
ssess and elevation of her people.
The idea of shooting religion into a
people is only the ephemeral utterance of
the phrase maker. God Almighty de-
stroyed and exterminated five nations to
establish the Jews in Judea. Certainly
God is more just. wiser and more power
full than the political phrase-maker.
1t is about as sensible to attempt to adj
minister this government on the economic
ideas of Calhoun, although well conceived
and adjusted to the ends then hoped to be
attained and perpetuated. after the basis
of such a system has been obliterated
forever from the body polite. and look
for prosperity and elevation of our peo-
pie, as to expunge Professionalism from
our religious system, and look for the
perambulations of the circuit-rider, with
his saddle-bags and hymn book. 1t would
be about as sensible as to attempt to
transport a heavy laden freight train
across the continent with a fleet of bal
looms, and by this supply the necessities
of the Pacific slope with the products of
the Atlantic coast.
The opponents of the American system
are waging war on 1t on the same line of
argument, but on lower plane, and with
a more selfish purpose, than were made
against 1t fifty years ago. In order to
maintain and perpetuate African slavery.
The Democratic party Is In no position
to arraign any one for advocating the
holding of the Philippine islands, or
threaten awful calamities from alleged
Imperialism. especially since Senator
Morgan, the privy-counselor of Mckinley
and advisor of the present administration
on this question and other foreign poll
cies. was practically unanimously re-
elected as senator by counties and the
adoption of the last platform of the
State Democracy.
Nothing can be said against the present
existence of trusts and railroad opera
lions since the defeat of Barnes railroad
commission bill in 1867, and the provis-
ion of the present constitution that takes
away from the people the right to elect
the members of the railroad commission.
and even allows the appointed commits
sion such power as the people may be
able to get enacted into a law every four
years by Il class of men who, according
to the Underwood Indictment. have been
guilty Of all crimes that attend a corrupt
legislature.
This same gentry is now crying out.
only the friends of the constitution
should be elected to carry out its pro-
Visions L admit this, If you want the
throne of iniquity that frameth mischief
by law to rule over u.s.