The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-27


 w ton Peck. professor of Latin in Columbia University, states that out side of politics he cannot recall "a single epoch-rnarlking exercise of the creative faculty on the part of an American-born and of native blood" This Is indeed hard indictment for the people of this great and progressive land to face, but the learned lecturer on a dead language has not yet convinced the public that his views are correct. In the first place to give credence to his statement Pro- lessor Peck eliminates the man "who hit the nail on the head" and gives all honor to the early genius who struggled in vain to give form to his ideas. According to him the American man Is only "mas- ter of patchwork" Fulton did not in- vent the steamboat, nor does the credit for the electric light belong to Edison. Although it is true that others labored in these scientific fields before American brains were put into play and brought Ideas to. perfection there are none but the ultra precise person who will desire to take credit from our inventors The Peck theory would cause vast surprise if promulgated in Europe, where the Yan- lkee Is considered the most original per son now on earth. It would be hard to convince countries that are now suffering sfrom the effects of Uncle sam's faculty for making their own choice manufact- ures little cheaper and little better than they can themselves. Professor Peck should consult the patent records instead of his Latin dictionaries and he would speedily come to the conclusion that we are not such a vacuous nation after all. He would find there records of every im- aginable contrivance from a flying ma chine to a butter mould. Of course a great many of these inventions do not work-like the airships, for instance-but that Is no reflection on our abilities to think up something new.
 The serious illness of Mrs. Jefferson Davis has again drawn attention to this remarkable figure in American life. As widow of the man chosen to lead the cause that was lost. Mrs. Davis might seem to be out of place In this age, when all sections are united. But such Is not the case. No woman in American life to- day commands more genuine and univer- sal respect. North and south join in do- ing honor to her. for she is a representa- tive of the old days that are now being rapidly forgotten. Aside from the rever- ence with which the memory of Jefferson Davis is cherished his widow also com mands esteem for her many admirable qualities of character. Although the con- diton of Mrs. Davis is considered very serious she yet has chance for recovery and friends in all parts of the country join in the prayer that she may soon be restored to health.
 The Turk has found friend in Dr. Harper, president of the University of Chicago. Whether the doctor has been influenced by the kindness of the sultan in permitting him ten years of excavation in the ruins of Babylon is a question: but It speaks well for this country that at least one prominent man sees fit to defend the much abused ruler. Dr. Harper says that the Turkish government does not merit "the opprobrium that has been
 
 a hard set of people to govern" He re- ports that remarkable progress has been made during the past twenty nine years of Abdul Hamid's reign, although most people are inclined to believe that an application of the word advancement to Turkey Is a sad misnomer However in spite of the horrible massacres for which the sultan Is more or less responsible, we aIe fair-minded people and are willing to give him all due credit for any ef- forts he may have made to ameiorate conditions. Abdul Hamid may be very good sort of fellow but his subjects are holy terrors.
 Consternation reigns at Bar Harbor be- cause supposed count from across the