The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-09-24

Win It's hundred Killed the stampede
in Birmingham church was more dead
ly than most battles of the Boer war.
Panic Is an unreasoning and unreason-
able destroyer.
From the Chattanooga Times.
Troops that steadily faced a shower of
bullets during the day have been stam-
peded in the night by a rush of fright
ened animals. Men who have had long
experience as fighting soldiers and have
had their nerves tested by fire alarm In
a crowded theatre or other auditorium,
tell us the latter, once the scare has
permeated the mass Of the audience,
cannot be resisted by reason or dispelled
by the self-evident fact that the only
danger is that which the people create
by stampeding. 1t Is a temporary insan-
ity; a craze that, while it lasts, renders
the victim completely irresponsible, lifts
the purely animal instinct of self-preser-
walton above reason and even above the
proofs the five senses would convey to
the brain. If It were not paralyzed by
causeless fright
From the New Orleans Picayune
1t Is to be hoped that the authorities at
Birmingham will make a careful study of
the catastrophe which took place at the
colored church there by which more
than a hundred human beings lost their
lives, so that it may be ascertained
definitely how 1t happened that In
church, said to be modern In its appoint
ments and provided with ample exits,
such a terrible affair was possible. A
crowded church is a common enough oc-
currence, but 1t is not possible that the
risk of such an occurrence as that at
Birmingham is taken In every such case.
OF course, presence of mind and cool
headedness are the best safeguards In
panic, but those are qualities rarely
found in crowd, and are not to Be
taken into the calculation in providing
precautionary measures.
From the Atlanta News.
There ought to be agreed upon by those
who manage public occasions some sys-
tenn of signals and of control by which
panics can be averted. Ushers ought to be
diligently trained to find out promptly the
causes of disturbance and to dissemin-
ate rapidly through the ranks of the
audience the real fact and the best pos
sible way to avoid panic and destruction.
In cases of fire intelligent people should
have it impressed upon them by placards
and folders that the way of escape Is not
through a mad rush for safety, but
through clear and tranquil self command
that will watch its opportunity and ex-
pedite the emptying of public buildings
by carefully refraining from getting III
other peoples way. There ought to be
stationed In every large assembly officials
With stout lungs and commanding per-
sonalities who will be able to instruct
and control crowds in case OF sucn conlin-
gencies.
From the Nashville News.
The tendency of a crowd is always
downward. Hence demagogues and false
leaders. Speakers who know better can
not resist the opportunity ready to their
hands in the quick response always to be
obtained from an audience by appealing
To preiudices, mere emotion and false
reasoning. Amiel spoke truly when he
said: "All that can be got from crowd
is instinct or passion; the instinct may
be good, but the passion may be bad, and
neither is the instinct capable of produc-
ing a clear idea, nor the passion of lead
ing to just resolution Mob law is
never the expression of an ardent desire
for justice. but is merely the madness
OF the vindictive spirit. And when sud
den panic falls on a great multitude it
is not the heroism, mercy and courage
of it's individuals that act and have their