The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-09

 Father Platt contemplates again resum- ing the matrimonial harness with the Widow Janeway as his team mate. To man who has led the turbulent political life of Senator Platt such a thing as getting married is not very momentous. The senator evidently thinks so, for he is trying it once more. A bridegroom at the age of 70, Senator Platt is one of the most remarkable men in public life today and from his present activity bids fair to remain so for some time to come. Perhaps no man ever dominated more absolutely the political life of New York state. MT. Hills power is not in- considerable but he has found out to his cost that it won't do to buck against the sturdy old fighter ycleped Boss" Platt Boss" is the word, for he is boss more than leader- MT. Platt is fine example of how successful ring politician can be if he works his schemes properly. But it takes an unusual man to lead career like that of MT. Platt and it is not ad- visable for young politicians to follow in his footsteps unless they are sure they have a gift for machine politics.
 The approaching visit of King Victor Emanuel to France is the subject for much felicitation between the two coun- tries of France and Italy. Here of late European monarchs have developed a commendable habit of visiting around, and it has been productive of much good More amlcable relations have been es- tablished between the various soverigns and it is noticeable that with the possi- ble exception of Czar Nicholas on his trip to Austria, all have been enthusiastically received by the people. This is even more significant than the perfunctory salutation of the monarchs. They can kiss in public and then be at daggers' points in private. Happily such does not seem to be the case at present among leading European monarchs. Certain optimistic persons are inclined to believe that this exchange of visits heralds an era of peace and good will destined long to continue. It is a pleasant innovation at any rate and cannot but prove bene- ficial. We have now reached that ad- vanced stage where we do not look with suspicion on every stranger who comes to our shores and the same feeling seems to prevail in Europe. A kindly monarch like King Victor Emanuel of Italy will be heartily welcomed by the impulsive French people. He will be shown a good time.
 The Hon. William Jennings Bryan has finished stumping Ohio in behalf of John H. Clarke, who is a candidate for the senate We are told that he spoke for two hours at Napoleon, and we may judge that he did his full duty. People who can listen to two solid hours of political ar gument without being able to make a re- ply are to be found in many parts of this great republic of ours, but most of us think this too big a dose for one time. Yet there is no man better able to make a lengthy speech of this kind than the orator from Nebraska. He is indeed pre- mier ''wordsman' in the United States today,
 For some time stories have been numer- of young French millionaire who hopes to found an empire in Africa which is to be larger than Rhodesia, ana is to be called the United States of Liberia. It is reported that M. LeBaudy, father of the idea, contemplates colonizfng his empire with negroes largely drawn from the southern states If he can obtain neces- sary concessions from the powers who claim a jurisdiction over this part of Af- rica be will have district rich in natural resources and capable of being highly de- veloped Is this to be a solution of the race question? Although the story reads like fairy tale it is possible # not prob- able. It might not be such a difficult prob lem to get possession of the country, but it would be hard to get the colonists. The average southern negro is fond of talking about migrating to other countries, but when the time for action arrives he is not so eager to leave. So many of the race have been swindled before on coIonizing schemes that it would be a hard matter really in earnest. If such an empire as proposed could really be founded it would no doubt be a very fine thing for the negroes. M. LeBaudy might be able to in- duce many to locate in the new country, but they would not be desirable members of the race. Those that are doing we'll here would consider it folly to go far off to a strange land and begin all over again. And they would be right. But there are some wonderful possibilit s in the Frenchman's idea. Suppose all the negroes migrated to Africa and were left to their own devices. Would they continue to ad- vance when removed from the influence of a higher civilization or would they go backward? With such men as Booker Washington to direct them advancement would be a certainty, but such leaders are few in number Some students of the question have advanced a belief that if negroes went back to their early home in strictions of the white mans civilization they would retrograde and might in course of time develop into a race of savages little better than their ancestors were before the first slave ship appeared on the coast of Africa. There Is cer- tain class of negroes in our cities who give substance to this belief, although, fortunately, they are a minority.
 Since the recent religious disturbances in France we have heard little of the orders driven out to other lands save