The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-19
United States and England
BY PHINEAs FLETCHER.

. - NH~fA@
There can be no question as to the sim
certify of the governing classes in Eng
land. from the king down, in their efforts
to be on the most friendly terms posi-
bic with the United States. It may be
that the millions of the British people
share in the same. sentiment, although
they seem to be very pathetic on the
subject. We never hear Of a great meet
ing in Hyde Park TO voice their opinions
with respect to 1t and in the labor publi-
cations, which discuss the problems near
est and most vital to their welfare, allu-
sion TO 1t is seant and rare. Their
thoughts center on things far more prae-
tical-the price of bread the rate of
wages the length of the working day.
old age pensions municipal ownership.
improved tenements and scores of other
problems on the solution of which their
comfort and advancement. present and
prospective, depend in so great degree.
With the larger politics of the empire
they have no concern, or else they avoid
1t as either beyond their comprehension
or unworthy of their attention.
What is the situation among ourselves?
While we have, of course, no governing
land, that is no particular divisions of
the people from whom the principal
officers and officials are exclusively TAX
men because of the accidents of birth or
wealth; there is nevertheless a profess
sional political caste to whom the offices
generally go because the acquisition of
them has become regular pursuit Mr..
Roosevelt. for instance, Is a good repre-
sentative of this element. From almost
the year he attained to mans estate he
has been in political life, either a candi-
date for some office a holder of one.
He was very young when he became
member of the legislature When he
was running for mayor of the greatest of
American cities, one of his competitors
was double his age. He managed to be-
come a police commissioner without the
slightest experience in that direction.
Civil service reform became fashionable
and popular with the men whom the po-
lltical machines had rejected, and he
speedily got the highest office in that
field of usefulness. A not very able or
accurate book about the navy which he
called a history, helped to make him as
sistant secretary of that department of
the government Without training as a
soldier, he raised a unique regiment In
the war with Spain and came out OF the
conflict decorated by his admirers as a
hero. Sore-pressed for a candidate his
party made him governor of his state.
Then he was. shuffed into the vice-presi-
dency. and the bullet of an assassin
made him chief magistrate. Taken all in
all. ii Is a pretty long political career.
But there are scores Of men who double
It in length of time, particularly in con-
gress. Mr.. Allison of Iowa, is one. Mr..
Hoar of Massachusetts, Is another. Sen
ators Plat of New York. Quay of Penn
sylvania and German of Maryland. are
others on the long list of men who have
T. xr44r4 -
their lives.
BY men of this type little is ever said
or written on the English question 1t Is
not within the sphere of practical poll
tics and so does not concern them. If
pushed to expression on the subject they
will smilingly acquiesce in the prevail
ing sentiment Of their audience. And the
reason of it is that for them 1t is dam
gerous ground. fitted, with all sorts of
traps SHARES and pitfalls. But although
the politicians maintain a judicious ST.
lence concerning the relations that should
exist between the two great English
speaking nations, there is undoubtedly
very deep and earnest feeling all over
the country that our national policy
should travel along the lines of the clos
est friendship with the English people
The fires of past controversies have ex-
pended themselves Ancient animosIties
concern not this generation and are re-
manded to the keeping Of history where
they belong. No right minded American
wishes 10 see anv other nation7 in dis-
tresa. hut most esnecia,lv tbe country
from which the renublic has chief,v
snrrnp the country With which we bsvo
n common heritage IN law IN religion in
language and literature. But above and
beyond all there is the business nerve.
Great pritoin Is the vary best customer
we fave for MI orr nroducts the nro-
ducts of the factories as we'll nc of the
farms Anv interrun,ior of tba COM
merce between the two co,,ntriss would
~be one of the very greatest caiarities
that could befa1l MS A hIovv m the mos