The age-herald., 1902-03-09

 tradition states that tribe of Indians, exiled by fate from their native wilds, resolved to seek a more quiet abode In some land toward the setting sun. Max Ing their way over swollen rivers and through tangled forests, they came to the fertile lands and clear streams Of Alabama, when the chief resolutely struck his spear into the earth, saying, Ah-ia- bahma, which in Indian, means Alabama here we rest
 Tut-tut! Even as the beloved the ven- erated pr. William Leroy Broun in dear dead Auburn days was want to say, tut tut!
 Yea! Even as the venerated, the be- loved pr. wyman in oak-shaded Ipsca- loosa and the Big Chief Barron in Mont gomery say, though in other forms, tut tut!
 For has not Dr. Wyman declared that the word Alabama does not mean "here we rest?' And isn't Dr. Wyman the most capable authority on the mean Ing of Indian words of place in Ala hama state. and isn't Big Chief Barron DIT chief authority on Indian customs 
 and traditions?
 Hasn't it been long agreed upon by r,II persons competent to judge of the question that Alabama" does not mean there we rest?" Is the question any longer at issue?
 Why. William Dorsey Jelks and his admiring fellow-inhabitants of Eufauia used to be proud in the illusion that the name of their famous and most beautiful town meant flair city of the bluff, or something poetic like that; but some one learned in Indian tongues passed that way and convinced them that the in- depreciation of "Eufaula" is "dog town. And so it goes. The Hon. Charles Wesley Ferguson, who was born some thirty i. buegy-rides ago near Tuskegee, an tndian-named town, which being inter preted meaneth booker wash," has done mucteto disillusion the poetically-inclined srespecting definitions of Indian place. names: and so have all those bright and .wisely-informed Hefins. Mir. Ferguson Ia perhaps the best informed man on proper nouns in that State, the name of which does not mean "here we rest as avery. toiling man in the Birmingham dis .trict-that is, the State--is fully aware.
 
 "Alabama. Here We Rest" is sent fhither from POS Newbury 0hey call 1t Newbry) street, Boston, where the beans rome from. It is a song. you know, or vou don't know-most likely you don't! Rut it is a song; and at the bottom of it,
 NpwnrV street is a copy of a letter signed in perfect Robert P. McDavid, Secre- tarv of State," the familiar signature Of one of ourselves whom we all of us know. and knowing, love. l. "Mv Dear Miss"-Secretary McDaVid BeRins-"Please permit me for the people of the State to express appreciation or vour beautiful song, Alabama l believe R will be to this commonwealth what Home, Sweet Home,' is to the English speaking people. and I believe and sim cerely hope that Alabama may bring more laurels and substantial profits to vou than did the other immortal ballad Ito it's fortunate author"
 So, And so this: Following Secretary McDavid's admirably phrased letter IS note of two lines signed Annie Wheeler, to whom the song is dedicateo. Nils: Wheeler is one of the lovely daughters of Gen. Joseph Wheeler. Her note + dated "Waldorf- Astoria. N. Y, April 27 l9O1" and in full it reads:
 q am sure all Alabama will be pleased with your song."
 The words and music of Alabama Here We Rest" are by Miss Charlotte eW Hawes of Boston, and upon the leafiet sent out by Miss Hawes there being nc sign of copyright the words are here given as coming from the American Citi- zen newspaper, which contained the legend quoted in the outset of this "Murmur":
 | "Our native bird forever sings
 To birdlngs great and small:
 I love to spread my eagle wings, And cover one and all Mark the eyrie of my nest, 4 Alabamas s highest crest;
 Flying north, or east, or west.
 Alabama, Here we rest!
 ''T love to pilot all my kind
 The childless and the waif; To soar on eagle wings, and find
 Our haven, sure and safe.
 Indian warriors when oppressed,
 Sought refuge on my breast, [ And in gratitude expressed r Alabama, Here we rest! Let Alabama's name suffice To show how love alone, Will guard living paradise
 Which we may call our own. i Ever making manifest ! Home for all the heart distressed,
 Peace. which nothing can molest,
 Alabama, Here we rest!
 To these lines Alabama's musical. Secre- tary of State-Bob the Beloved is most sskillful with stringed instruments-gives the highest possible praise, and so does Miss Annie Wheeler,
 . Speaking of music. that dreamful quan tity which the poet declares may "rend { rock or burst cabbage" there are man, Sthankless heather who are so utterl. 'soulless as to insinuate that the renown ed author of "uem Goo-Goo Eyes whos' death occurred the other night, didn' hurry up and die soon enough. That's horrid.
 But. ragtime niggertime classictime badtime, hangtime-any sort of time goes nowadays. It is comforting re fection that no Southerner ever begot ont s'popular coon song" and that no coon