The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-30

N ROM the Czar's capital comes the R announcement that it is to be
 peace. Whether this is final or not remains to be seen, but it now appears that the war cloud is blowing over, and that the threatened clash with little Japan will have to be deferred. It is awkward, too, for our statisticians had prepared all data concerning the relative strength of both governments and the probable out come of a struggle. Just when we had all learned enough about the subject for in- teligent discussion it becomes evanescent But after all it Is better that the world be spared an upheaval for few years at least. Although it appears certain that danger of clash is now past, diplomats are exceedingly wise individuals and un- forseen complications may arise. Even if the matter is settled for the present it will always be ticklsh question in the east, especially since Russia shows no in- clination to keep her paws off other peo- ple's land.
 Last Tuesday President Roosevelt was forty-five years of age. exceedingly young for a man occupying a position which has, to some extent, come to be consid- cred the reward of experienced years. Tel egrams of congratulation and floral offer ings poured in during the day, so the executive was made to feel that he had yet few friends outside of politicians. Now if the President had renewed his r-n afr47 I..x .fx4L day party his pleasures would have been complete. In many respects MT. Roose- welt is one of the most remarkable men who ever attained to the nations highest honor. He is a man of original ideas, and in addition to his comparative youthful ness has left an impression on national affairs for many years to come. It is cus- tomary to keep our newspapers and other publications well filled with presidential folderol, but it is safe to say that none of his predecessors has enjoyed the popu- larity in this respect that has character ized the administration of MT. Roose- welt.
 A new healer has sprung up in New York who states that he will run hall in competition with Elijah" Dowie. This man calls himself Sheffield the Healer,'' and he seems to be as good as the others when it comes to a test Since Dowie has begun to make excuses, his crusade has developed into miserable farce. The leader of Zion no doubt sees his defeat and is trying to back out by laying the blame on the reporters. These gentlemen have been subjected to much abuse since the prophet descended upon Gotham, but take nourishment, either liquid or solid. Gothamites have awakened to the fact that Dowie is a colossal humbug and they have gone back to music halls for amuse- ment. Although overwhelmed in New York the prophet boasts that he is still a power in Chicago. It is unfortunate for him that he ever came east. New York is too blase to be taken in by an Elijah who cannot deliver the goods"
 One of the strangest sensations possible for a human being to experience must be that of the convict who returns to the world after spending twenty-five or thirty years in a penitentiary. It is true that few ever live to finish such a sentence, but some of them do and when they come out of a living death they find them selves lost in a world of which they are no part. It is pathetic and yet is better for the convict's future welfare. There are no old scenes and acquaintances to lead him astray again. It is impossible to conceive what rapid strides we are mak- ing in this country until a long period of years is spent away from it in another land or shut up a prison. Long confine- ment is a living death that too often ends in real death. When first released con- vict issues out from prison walls and looks about him, strange, indeed, must