davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
The Birmingham District.

The Gadsden Journal and the An niston Star are making much ado in their editorial colums over a recent statement in The Age-Herald that the Birmingham district" included not only Jefferson county, but all of the surrounding iron district even into southern Tennessee.
 As a matter of fact, this entire sec. tion Is known as the Birmingham district" in the markets of Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburg, New York and other western and northern sections. The Age-Herald, however, would not detraet one iota from the great iron making sections of Gadsden, Annis- ton and Sheffield. They are all splen- did towns and great iron centers. Bir- mingham looks upon them as her chil- dren and claims them as part and parcel of her family, hoping always that they will grow rapidly and be- come great in themselves. All three of them are doing this at the present time. No three cities or sections of Alabama are growing more rapidly. The more they grow and develop the greater becomes "the Birmingham district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
FROM PARAcELsus.
By Browning.

By Browning.
 We may not be doomed To cope with seraphs. but at least the
 rest Shall cope with us. Make no more giants,
 God But elevate the race at once, We ask To put forth just our strength, our hu-
 man strength, All starting fairly, all equipped alike. Gifted alike, all eagle-eyed, true-hearted- See if we cannot beat thine angels yeti Such Is my task. I go to gather this The sacred knowledge here and there dis
 persed About the world, long lost or never found And why should I be sad or lorn of hope? Why ever make mans good distinct from
 Gods Or. finding they are one, why dare mis-
 trust? Who shall succeed if not one pledged like
 me? Mine is no mad attempt to build a world Apart from His, like those who set them
 selves lsHt n To find the nature of the spirit they
 bore, And, taught betimes that all their gor-
 geous dreams Were only born to banish in this life. Refused to fit them to the narrow sphere, But chose to figure forth another world And other frames meet for their vast
 desires And all a dreami
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
PASTOR WAGNER MADE
 FRIENDS IN AMERICA

sweetness and soundness of his human nature that enforces the appeal.
 For one thing, he unquestionably has a penetrating and intelligent common sense. He is not mere worshipper of the simplicity of the past. He does not try to make us think that conditions as they existed In the early days of Chris tianity can be restored. He only pleads with us to deal with the conditions of today In the spirit of the early days. He puts emphasis on the starting point and on the aim, not on the pathway. We may say of him that he does not seek to reform individuals or society he seeks to form them in their actual surroundings through the influence of the primal ideas and qualities which he believes to fit all times and all envs- ronments and to be lasting. We are aware that this is by no means a novel ideal that 1t is in varying degree the ideal which nearly all moral and re- ligious teachers instinctively tend to adopt. But it Is pretty clear that Pastor Wagner is peculiarly inspired by it, and that he has rare gifts for the inspiration of others.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
RICHARDSON TALKS.

From the Washington Post.
 Representative Richardson of Alabama. one of the advance guard of the southern members of congress to make the an- nual attack on Washington, was a fla miliar figure in the lobby of the Riggs house yesterday, having arrived for the forthcoming session. we democrats just now should say little and do less" said he. T am not inclined to discuss politics, for I believe that the repub- licans are the actors, and that they should be the ones to act. There seems to be widespread demand throughout the country for tariff revision, and believe that the republicans will follow some such programme.
 "Demstrats have not been affaced from the map by any means as result of the election, and it is a big mistake to sup pose that the party is dead. We shall rise triumphant some day and achieve victory as great as was our last success"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
Conylcts and inc Canal.

Senator Dietrich of Nebraska wants this great government of ours to use penitentiary convicts in the digging of the Panama canal.
 The question naturally arises What conyicts? Does he mean to take from the federal prisons of this land the white criminals who hail from northern climes and the negro prisoners from the temperate south and locking them together drive them to miasmatIc Panama?
 If this is what the Nebraska sena- tor wants done he must be dead to every sense of humane treatment of an unfortunate class and to punish with almost certain death for crimes that call for less penalty than such cruel treatment. This is only one point of objection to such a proposi- tion and while it is the most import ant there is anotSer objection. The spirit of commercialism is too much prone nowadays to get gain from the misfortunes of the poor and the help less, no matter what blood it may cost. The penal contract system has dangerous tendency and should be carefully studied and the victims zeal ously guarded against vicious treat ment.
 By this 1t is not meant to say that the convicted felon should be held in likeness, for that has proven to be punishment more severe than even double hours of hard labor, but duties assigned the convict by the federal and state governments should be per formed in a climate and in a sphere somewhat in keeping with the natural element of the convict. Take, for in stance, the southern negro. His natu- ral element is the agricultural field His place of usefulness is in the cot ton and corn fields and in the forests of the south. These need his labor, and in these spheres he can accom- plish most, There is room for him here. Waste fields and virgin lands
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03

are awaiting the touch of labor in ev- cry southern state, and the world Is every year demanding more of the products of the soil. Here his health can be preserved and his sinewy arms made to do the very best service.
 Take him to Panama and you do him cruel wrong, receive only a minimum of his real worth, and deny employment to thousands of free men who are fitted for such "a task in such a land as that. by acclimation and by natural choice.
 The hell-holes" of Calcutta afforded but little more severe and cruel pun. ishment than would be given the American convict if he should be driven down to Panama. It must not be done; and will not be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
Another SionewaII Jackson.

President Roosevelt says we want a Stonewall Jackson in the United States army, and looking to this end he very gracefully appoints Stonewall Jackson Christian, boy 16 years of age, to the West Point academy. He is a southern boy and, best of all, a grandson of the great Confederate sol dier His mother adopted the soubri- quet won by the grandfather at the battle of Bull Run as the real name of her boy, and it is gratifying to the heart of every southern man and wo- man that an opportunity is offered by the appointing power and by the mag nifcent character aud genuine blood of this southern boy to again illustrate the glory and the worth of the name of Stonewall Jackson.
 It is the prayer of every patriotic American that the occasion may never arise for the young soldier to win re- nown on the field of bloody carnage. But the world is a battlefield and the light Is on every day we live-a fight against error, fight to subdue pas sion, fight for achievement of honors as a respecter and defender of law and for obedience to lawful authority-a light for character building and de- Tense. All of these battles will come to the younger Stonewall Jackson, and the south will wish to see him in the forefront. The American military school and the American army afford excellent opportunities for battling ou these lines
 At the entrance of the chapel at West Point, engraven on stone, are these woro3, quoted from Holy writ:
 righteousness exalteth nation"
 And the grandson of a sainted Erand-sire, whose early morning hour was spent in prayer to the divine power, and whose later hours of the day were given in battling with sword in defense of a cause he loved can in no better way do honor to his distin- guished ancestor than by remember Ing the words at the entrance of the chapel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
Race Track Talk.

Homer George, formerly of The Age Herald but now turf editor of the Hearst Chicago Examiner and Sunday Ameriean' was in Birmingham yesterday en route to Atlanta where he will spend two weeks vacation From his Georgia home he will go to Hot Springs, having been appointed paddock judge of the Hot Springs Jockey Club to serve during the coming meeting. From Hot Springs he will return to Chicago.
 The prospects seem to forecast the greatest season in the history of the re- sort at Hot Springs this winter he said. From letters received from the owners of the race track with which l will be connected, and from talks with sporting men the country over more persons will spend the season at the place than during any two or three seasons.
 While 1t is generally conceded that the racing plants are the cause of this remarkable Influx. it Is also stated that Kid Walters bursting of the pool room combination which had ruled things In the past had an effect in bringing about the decision of many to make the trip. Anyway, aside from the sporting aggre- gation the springs will draw more than its share ofs the sick and of the tou- rists who always make for the southern points during the winter.
 Since I left the place in the early part of the year more than sGOo0O has been spent by MT. Shannon and MT. Deveaux is making their track more complete. One of the improvements will be the opening of one of the prettiest country clubs in America. This is a special hobby of MT. Shannon and some of his other as- sociates and will be the most complete in the country outside of Saratoga. In addition Dan Stewart and his associates have spent $2OO,00O on their new racing plant.
 Already a big crowd of visitors is at the springs following the opening of the Kentucky and other big club rooms Thanksgiving day and great times are surely just ahead"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
Tennessee River.

Cashton w. Holbrook, whose successful work as secretary of the Chattanooga chamber of commerce and as secretary of the Tennessee River Improvement asso- elation, las won commendation in Ala bama as well as in Tennessee, talked interestingly while in Birmingham yes- terday regarding the improvement of the Tennessee river.
 MT. Holbrook said that the recent meet ing of the association at New Decatur was hi.snly successful and that the work outlined by the association will bring gratifying results. If the federal govern ment will spend s5, 100000 in improving the stream, he says he is satisfied the river caa be made navigable for large Ohio and Mississippi craft throughout the year to Knoxville. If Birmingham can get direct railway connection to Hunts vile to connect with the open Tennessee river. he believes the result will be emf nently beneficial to this city
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
A Brother of St. Andrew.

Hubert Carleton, the general secretary of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, who has been making addresses this week be- fore chapters of the brotherhood in the Birmingham district, is a native of Can ada. He was educated first at the Uni- versity of Toronto and later at Oxford university In England. When fresh from college he studied for orders and began work in the slums on the east side of London. His interest and success in the work there cut short his theological studies, and he has since devoted his attention exclusively to the work of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew. His con- tlnued residence in America within the last few years has identified him closely with churchmen and church work in this country. He is one of the few persons of British descent and British education who do not by their speech suggest the British environment of their early years. His speech is low. rapid and not unmu- sicaL His stay in Birmingham has been of great value to the brotherhood here, and his departure tomorrow will be sim cerely regretted. He speaks for the last time on his present visitation here in the Church of the Advent tomorrow night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
German Superiority.

1T was struck with the remarks of Mir. Dahm-Petersen the musician, when he told an audience at the conservatory that nearly all the greatest composers of the world were German, and not only the greatest composers but the greatest scientists and thinkers were German" said a professional man. MT. Damn Petersen said he did not make this high claim for Germany from any special bias. T am not German. but simply call your attention to the fact that Ger many leads in the intellectual realm
 When I read yesterday the statement in the Age-Herald that the majority of the best toys sold in the United States were made in Germany I began to think that the 'Fatherland' was ahead in about everything. Germany Is certainly ahead in applied chemistry, and in nearly all the sciences used in commerce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 @ AsToR wAGNER-he is Dr. " Wagner now, but the more fa- miliar term seems to fit him better-returns to his beloved France to- morrow. He leaves behind him a re- markable number of friends who have learned during his stay what an ex- traordinarily 1ovable man he is, and the impression he has made on the thousands he has addressed In all parts of the country. if In less degree. has been of the same kind. Affection and confidence are the sentiments he has aroused in all classes, and they have been aroused apparently in the direct ratio of knowledge and intimacy. It is really a very unusual experience he has had in the United States and very un- usual experience that he has offered to our people.
 We have had eminent clergymen of all sorts and. sects from other lands among us, and have received some of them with much enthusiasm, with hearty ad- miration, with all the evidences of the popularity that is one of the tests of success with those who feel and follow the vocation of the pulpit and the bear CTS of the religious message to their fellows. But it Is not easy to recall one who has won American hearts quite in the way that this modest French pastor has won them. He can hardly be called a great preacher He certainly
 
 Pere Hyacinthe to be when he visited us. He has not the musical. rich and flexible voice of that notable orator, nor his grace of elocution, nor his command of finished rhetoric, nor training in the traditions of pulpit delivery developed by the centuries of study and practice of the Catholic church. Of style in the ordinary meaning of the term the style of Bishop Brooks, of Archbishop Ire land. of his grace of Canterbury-he has practically none, and, speaking as he has done, in our tongue, mastered only within the past year, and wonderfully mastered, too, but still rebellious, he care for. Yet what may be called the personal success of the pastor has been in It's way as great as the success of his best known book. And it may be traced to the same cause, the strong and sus- tained effect of sincerity produced by what he says and by what he appears to be. as well as by hts writing.
 From his first visit to the White House to his farewell utterances at the Mid night mission, on the east side, we think that this effect has been uniform. He has attracted widely differing kinds of men, the most cultivated and critical. business men absorbed in their own pur- suits, theological professors, the mission aries of the submerged" classes. to say nothing of the heterogeneous crowds who have made up his varied audiences. That his vogue in foreign land should reflect that in his own country, that 1t should rest equally on his speech and his writing that it should have such scope, would seem conclusive as to the essential substance and depth of his character. He makes his appeal to gen. eral human interests. and it is the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
each state: :

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 Thus it is shown that Alabama maintains her position as fourth in the list of cotton growing states, with Texas first, Georgia second and Mis- sissippi third.
 It is further ascertained by the in vestigation of the New Orleans paper that the percentage of lintage per acre is from 15 to 20 per cent greater than it was in 1903; that the crop has been rapidly picked, but that the farmers are holding back the staple from the market on account of prices offered, being enabled to do so by their im- proved financial condition over condi- tions which existed year ago.
 Eleven million, nine hundred and forty thousand bales of cotton at $50 per bale means s597OO0, ,000, besides the bi-products, for the planters of the south from this one crop.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
THE tendency of northern papers to (CD offer advice to the south has been

H HE tendency Of northern papers to \OY offer advice to the south has been
 often remarked but now, since the "solid south" went down in defeat with democracy and also since Governor vardaman has created another disturb ance by his ill-timed sarcasm wiseacres of the eastern press are dealing out CO., pious doses of advice from their store of knowledge to the states that cluster below the Mason and Dixon line. Not only are northern and east ern papers taking great pains to tell the south what they ought to do, but central western and western papers are following suit, while even southern papers have A word of advice to offer. The willingness with which this invalua- ble advice Is vouchsafed leads one to believe that some people have not yet learned that the man who loans us dollar and forgets 1t is far more popular than the man who merely advises us what to do in our extremity. While the paternal attitude adopted toward the south by the east is no doubt well meant and kindly. why the need of so much journalistic slush that aecomplishes noth- ing? The south has what may be called long head and will work out her sal vation-if such process should ever be ecessary-accordlng to her own methods and her own ways of thinking.
 Those blase persons who constitute what is call society" have done much to discourage the healthy old-fashioned celebration of Christmas but the tendency seems to be in the other direction now. Christmas is even better than the Fourth of July and ideas of propriety should be thrown to the winds if this Is neces- sary in order to enter thoroughly into the spirit of Yuletide. Perhaps, after all the old time Christmas was better than the modern Christmas although the toy land of today was undreamed of 20 years ago and money flows freely during the holidays. A society for the enthusiastic and charitable observance of Christmas would be a move in the right direction. There is something essentially pathetic in the death of Mrs. c. H. Gilbert, the oldest actress on the American stage, who succumbed to stroke of apoplexy in Chicago yesterday Mrs. Gilbert" as she Is known in all parts of the United States, had just started out on short tour in her new play, Granny" with which she made her debut In New York as "star'' at the age of SS years. During all her long career on the stage Mrs. Gil- bert played many parts with noted actors and actresses and always with artistic conception but it was a long wait until her life was crowned with honors and she bowed before her enthusiastic friends as "star' at last. Only few years ago Mrs. Gilbert played a brilliant engage ment in New York which was character ized by the affectionate praise that was bestowed on the aged actress and the cordiality with which she was welcomed at every performance. She planned to retire after she had finished her tour and spend the remainder of her life in comfort but it was ordained otherwise. After all the consummation of her desires had been reached. A star" at last, even though S3 years old, and loved and honor ed universally, she departed with the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
ANNABEL's FEELINGS.

From the Youths Companion.
 Mrs. Porter had married late in life. and married a rich man, after years of prudent scrimping and much cae.
 How does Annabel look?' asked one >of Mrs. Porter's old neighbors of another who had been visiting the bride of a year Docs she appear satisiedY
 "Oh, yes, she's satisfied and happy and all that" said the old friend, slowly but you know folks can't get wonted to things all of a sudden; and so there will come times now an again when An mabel looks as If the kettle was bilin' over and she was tied hand and foot so she couldn't get to the stove. It's not for me to say how she feels
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-03
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

knowledge that she had rounded out a career of more than usual interest
 
 And Janauschek, too, has passed away Her name is more illustrious in the annals of the stage and her memory will endure for many years as famous among those women who have led bril- liant careers. But Madame Janauschek was less fortunate than Mrs. Gilbert. Her latter days were clouded by afflic- tion and actual want and had 1t not been for charitable persons who placed her in the Brunswick home, at Amity- vIlle. L. l., her end might have been pitiable indeed Mrs. Gilbert traversed the walks of excellent mediocrity; Janau- schek was truly great, but both lead hon. orable careers on the stage and will not soon be Forgotten.
 When the fair closea 1t was feared that the Igorrotes would cease to be topic for discussion but we are not done with them yet. It is reported that twelve Igorrotes and ten Moros desire to remain in the United States and if permitted will try to forget their untutored relatives across the seas. Just what these people propose to do in order to sustain life Is not stated but they will probably find some business @ trifle more arduous than that of being on exhibitor.
 The massage fad seems to be holding its own very well, In spite of new meth ods for acquiring beauty which have been recommended by the experts on good looks. Evidently barbers have a very high opinion of massage, to judge from their solieitous inquiries and their insistent suggestions that a rub would do a world of good, while every woman who tries to look better than nature in- tended turns to massage as her first and last resort. If American people rubbed themselves and had themselves rubbed as much as beauty doctors advise new cuticle would soon be in demand.
 While congress was not in session 1t was seldom that prominent citizens, in various walks of life, visited Wash- ington and were interviewed. Of course they could manage to get their names in the papers, but an interview when the capital is deserted does not carry the weight of importance which at- taches to 1t when the rumble and roar of the governmental machine in action floats out over the Potomac. Therefore, these "pfominent' citizens prefer to wait until the truly great begin to foregather at Washington. Then they, too, advance upon the capital and with thumbs tucked behind their suspenders give their views of the world in general. It takes man who could never hold public office and borrowed his railroad fare to play the "prominent9 citizen with histrionic abil- ity.
 The shop window devotees are revel- ing in the holiday displays that are now to be enjoyed on every side. The show window habit is easily acquired, is harm less, inexpensive and thoroughly enjoy able. While 1t is sometimes conducive to fruitless desire and a longing for those things we cannot have, still it's fascina- tion is not to be denied Few can resist the temptation to take a peep into the windows these days, and window gazers are out in force. P. C..