davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
A Matter OF Names.

{ Juliet exclaims to Romeo, who was
not Montague:
s"What's in a name? That which we call
a rose,
BY any other name would smell as
f sweet"
The Unitaa~6mshters of the Con
federacy. in convention at st.
Louis, would have us drop the term
''civil war;" using in its stead the
phrase "war of the states" They hold
that the latter is the more felicitous
of the two, and they at once adopt
I'D it.
No doubt their choice Is the more
felicitous, but it is also the longer, and
nomenclature is generally settled by
custom, and custom customarily takes
the shorter cut Both sections seem
10 have adopted the term civil war"
as being both short and descriptive,
and it will not be easy to undo what
forty years of custom has spread
broadcast.
Alexander H. Stephens preferred to
call the great struggle "the war be-
tween the states" He no doubt con-
sidered for that purpose the south as
one state or community, and the north
as another. His preference was never
adopted by the people, and the Daugh-
tiers of the Contederacy will probably
encounter a like frost. Custom is a
tyrant, and custom has probably de-
termined beyond amendment Or
change the title of the greatest civil
strife this world has ever known.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
That Baltic Fleet AGAIN.

The cable intimates that the Baltic
fleet is to be sent to the Far East
through the straits of Magellan, a
route that would consume four
months. A route that would consume
four years would be better still for
Russia and very likely the four-year
schedule will yet be adopted. The
fleet includes all the aggressive sea
power that Russia has left on hand,
and she shows no desire to bring 1t
speedily within the range of Japanese
guns. The Japanese have knack
OF shooting straight.
Despite all the talk as to the pro-
lcnsation of the war on Russia's part
military experts believe that at the
end of the campaign, after cold
weather has set in as it can set in
along the Siberian border, Russia Will
see the hopelessness Of her task, and
she will find in some way road 10
peace. She is big and strong, but
when the st. Petersburg Bourse Ga
zette says there will come time
when Japan will be confronted with
the weight of the whole Russian ma
ton" 1t is talking through its fur cap.
Japan will not meet the fate of Cen
ghis Khan, simply because the might
of The Lussian nation cannot be trans
por; cd to the Far East over a riclSety
jerkw;.ter railroad possessing a single
track only.
The Baltic feet could not, IL it were
in the China sea today, whip the
united Japanese fleet. There is moth
ing substantial left of the Russian
fleets at Port Arthur or Vladivostok,
and the Japanese perhaps would well
come the appearance of the Baltic fleet
in their waters They certainly will
when Port Arthur falls The Rus
slams have lost control of the sea, and
they cannot regain it in the present
war. This is why peace before spring
comes again is possible and even prob
able.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
jean Iaaues Rousseau.

II dare say that Jean Jaques Rousseau
Is one of the most striking characters in
French literature and perhaps the lit
erature of any people on the GLOBE said
a student. For it is certain that few
men have combined such moral obliquity
with such brilliant mental power. Rous-
seau was a man who was proud, sus-
picious, and deceitful.
GAS boy he stole from his benefactors
and became a yagabond, a tramp rowing
aimlessly over France and tasting the
delights of the life that he was never to
forget. Although he wrote learnedly of
the education of youth. his own children,
the offspring of union with an gnor-
ant kitchen girl, were sent to a founding
asylum. After he had achieved greatness
Rousseau was haunted with the sus-
picion that he was being prosecuted. a
fear that was based solely on the fact
that he had written one or two books,
especially Emile, that had offended the
authorities In France His life was one
of great mental suffering at times. and
the restless spirit born in his youth pur-
sued him to his grave.
Perhaps the most remarkable book
written by Rousseau was his Comics
sons.' although his claim to fame rests
upon Emile The Social Contract. and
La Nouvelle Heloise.' In his Confess
sions Rousseau gives a remarkably can
did disclosure of all his vices and virtues.
According to his own account he had few
of the latter. On account of their ut
most candor the Confessions are not
deemed fit matter for the average school
library, and when by any chance one of
these volumes crops ont it is amusing to-
note with what CELEBRITY 1t is removed to
a back shelf"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
Parker Works Wonders.
e Shreveport Times.

From the Shreveport Times.
Judge Parker has accomplished wonders
in unifying the forces and getting them
started on the work of the democratic
ticket. He has Strengthened out the tan
giles in New York. and made the lion and
the lamb lie down together; and the
lamb was not inside of the lion either.
lie has brought Senator German to the
front as an active advisor and enlisted
his great talents for organization In the
cause. He has even made peace with
Governor Hogg of Texas who left New
York full of enthusiasm for Judge Par
ker and the democratic cause. And Will
liam Jennings Bryan has started his
stumping tour. beginning in Nebraska
and moving eastward. Other malcon-
tents have been brought into line, and
made to realize that they must bury
personal prejudices in the interest of the
great cause which the democracy is fight
ing Such great accomplishments In so
short a time have inspired the democrats
with confidence all over the country, and
the doubt about the success of the ticket
is rapidly giving way to speculation on
the majority that it will receive
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09

shows that the appointments of the
two last named were mere incident
of administration, while Mr.. Roose-
velt's appointments Of negroes to Of
fee were made feature of his admin
istration. This constitutes a wide diff
ference. In the former case no offense
to the south was intended, and in the
latter case the feelings of the south
were contemptuously crossed.
But The Age-Herald desires to dc
no more than call attention to Mr.
Knox's defense of the south, and to
ask every one of its readers to read
every line of It. It is to the point, and
there is not an Incorporate expression
In the entire course of the letter. 1t
Is clear, calm defense of the pres
ent attitude of the southern people.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
CLAYTON IN WASHINGTON.

From the Washington Post.
Hon. Henry d. Clayton, the Alabama
congressman, who was seen at the Riggs
house last evening, has come up from
the south to make speeches for Parker
and Davis, and will make his debut at
Newark, N. j., next Saturday night Mr..
Clayton is in the front rank of cam
paign orators. Besides a commanding
presence he has a pleasing and forclble
style of addressing the people which is
very effeetual.
This year Mr. Clayton has no opposi-
ton to his own candidacy. The man
who ran against him two years ago took
a fancy to horse which was the prop
erty of another. an dafter appropriating
1t, skipped to Texas lie was apprehend-
ed In Eel Paso, and 1t was proposed to
bring him back to the scene of his lar
ceny for trial. On hearing this. some
neighbors of the man who lost the steed
reimbursed him On condition that he
would not bring back to the state the
erstwhile congressional andidate. They
argued that as he would get out of the
penitentiary later he might reimbark in
the horsellfting business, and therefore
1t would be cheaper for him to remain in
Texas.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
skatIna Rink.

a skating rink is going to be opeheu III
Birmingham, and l am certainly giad we
are to have one at last said a youlnlul
lover of that kind of exercise yesterday.
Tive gentlemen have leased the build
lngs at 2O19 and 2O2l First avenue recent
~ rebuilt on the fire ruins, and they VIII
be well equipped for the purpose
The floor space will be about lOVxloo'
which makes an excellent skating RINK
The opening will be sometime this week.
probably about Thursday or Friday night'
and | expect the place will be crowded.
One of the men interested in the place
told me that he intended having music
every evening" and that he had ordersu
5o0 or 400 pairs of the best skates. Inc
rink will be open in the afternoon anu
evenings, and only the patronage Oh the
best people in the city Will be catered 10.
i believe that the people would Wel-
come a skating rink, as skating Is one
of the most pleasant kinds OK exercise al
most equal to ice skating. | have peeh
IN several cities in the south where thefe
were Kinks, and they were well patronlzea
by the best people in the various cities.
There are several hundred children III
the city who skate every afternoon onthe
pavements, and enjoy the sport. How
much more they will enjoy skating on d
smooth floor In a well heated building III
the winter time. At night the strains oil
music will add to the pleasure The place
Is to be brilliantly lighted
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
Solidity OF the South.

In a letter published elsewhere this
morning John B. Knox explains why
the south became solid" and why it
Is forced to retain and maintain It's
solidity. He shows with the clearness
of a trained mind the steps that the
republican party have taken against
the southern people, southern ideas
and southern interests, and he shows
why those steps have assumed a more
acute phase since Mr.. Roosevelt be
came president.
MI. Knox admits that Mr.. Roose
Welt has perhaps appointed fewer ne
grces to office than either Mr.. Cleve
land or Mr.. Mckinley did. but hs
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
NATIONAL POLITICS.
A r,en cratic Congress.


From the Memphis scimitar.
However the coming national election
may result as to the Presidency the be-
lief grows that the democrats stand a
good chance of having a majority in the
lower branch of congress.
Mr. William s. Cowherd, chairman of
the congressional committee, has given
out statement in which he predicts that
democrats will be the more numerous in
the next congress. Mr.. Cowherd is a
conservative and intelligent man. and
makes 1t a rule to know whereof he
speaks before opening his mouth. He
has never yet been known to go off half
cooked
AS he points out, the republican ma
jority in the house is only thirty-four,
and there are at least sixty doubtful
congressional districts in the United
States In the greater part of these the
democrats are making a winning fight.
They are we'll organized and harmonious.
while their opponents are split into sep
arate and con.ending factions.
Should Mr.. Cowherd's prediction come
true 1t will not make a great deal of diff
ference VINO is elected President of the
United States. In case of Mr.. Roose-
velt's success the lower house of con-
gress will serve as the governor" to the
executive steam engine. If the next con-
gress is democratic 1t is safe to assert
that the president will not be permitted
to usurp its functions. 1t will claim and
take all the privileges guaranteed to it
by the constitution.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
The New York Republicans.
From the Boston Herald

From the Boston Herald.
Now the canvass in New York ought to
go forward with vim, and no doubt 1t
will. The republican nominee for gov
ernor and the other candidates on the
state ticket were formally notified at
Olean the home of Lieutenant Governor
Higgins, on Tuesday, when Mr.. Higgins
made a long speech, chiefly on state
issues as presented in the platforms and
the speech of Judge Herrick. histdemo-
cratic opponent With reference to the
charges of corrupt administration and ex-
trayagance made in the democratic plat
form, Mr.. Higgins denied them sweep
ingly, and he made an interesting state
ment of the things done by the republi-
can party since 1t gained control Of state
affairs In 1894. OF numerous other inter-
esting affairs. he did not say word.
There were two long speeches and two or
three short ones, and the remarkable
thing is that Governor Odell's name was
not mentioned. 1t is as If there was no
such man. Neither was Senator Platt's
name mentioned. These omissions have
the appearance of a concerted attempt to
create the impression that the party Is
taking q new departure
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE SITUATION
EXPECTING COAL MINING in THIS DISTRICT

making the fight against the union
miners.
As matter of fact this strike has
proven a good thing for many of the
smaller coal operators. It has converted
some of the small men of the past into
the big men of the present day. New
mines have been opened and much de-
velopment is in progress. Companies
that were mining daily few hundred
tons six months ago are mining several
thousand tons now. Having gotten new
customers among the railroads and man
ufacturers. and having supplied them
during the strike, they will probably
continue to supply them. In fact, only
recently many large coal contracts have
been made by mines now in operation
running over the supplies which will be
needed for one and perhaps two years.
The truth Of the matter seems to be
that some of the comparatively new men
in the Birmingham district, in charge of
affairs of the great iron companies, had
ideas Of their own as to how they should
conduct their mining operations in the
Birmingham district. They assumed to
put them In force. Men who had been
In the Birmingham district q long num-
Der of years practically told them to go
ahead and make the fight and when
an agreement should be reached they
would abide by 1t. In the meantime,
these natives proceeded to work along
and to profit largely, as they are doing
today, while the other fellows are bring
ing new miners into the district and at
tempting with them to operate. They
have been fairly successful but not en-
tirely so, and 1t may be weeks or months
yet before the big mining companies
which are bearing the brunt of the strike
/ situation will get back to a normal basis.
In the meantime, some of the men who
came out of the East, crowned with halos
of theoretical knowledge and enveioped
in silvery clouds of heralded greatness,
are bit piqued at the failure of the ma
tive operators to stand with them in their
contest. They likewise criticlse the
newspapers for not fighting for them.
and In street talk, are promising literary
merriness for the Birmingham district
in the form of another daily newspaper
to represent their views and tackle their
chestnuts which need raking from the
fire. Good. Another newspaper in Biz
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09

mingham would really make things
merry, especially when owned and edited
by several able men who would have no
more difficulty in agreeing upon an edi-
torial policy than they did in holding to-
gether In an iron association and agree
ing upon the price at which the grades
OF iron should be sold.
In a measure this whole strike situa-
ton is serious and yet there is bit OF
gray humor about 1t.
The big imported bulls Of the mining
situation are rearing and tossing their
horns at the growing old he-bears OF the
miners union, while tho COWS and the
yearlinss and the old oxen who have
worked many years in the yoke of the
Birmingham district are feeding in the
meadows and growing fat on the tender
grass upon which the big bulls prospered
and took all to themselves in the past.
To those who know the true situation,
this story will be recognized. Indeed it
is the situation as 1t is. The independent
companies are ell making money. The
companies having strikes on have borne
the brunt of the contest and may have to
bear 1t for time yet, though everyone
in the Birmingham district hopes that
with the rapidly returning era Of pros
perity they will soon be running on full
time again.
Recent information from New York Is
to the effect that the national republ.-
can campaign committee has agreed to
give Odell s2,OOO,OsO with which to carry
New York for Roosevelt. With all this
money it is not believed New York can
be taken from Parker. The democrats
are getting some money themselves. and
they know how to spend 1t. The best
information Is that the democratic ticket
| will carry New York. Connecticut, New
Jersey and West Virginia. This will give
the democrats within twelve votes of a.
majority of the electoral college, max
Ing 1t either necessary to carry Indiana,
with 10 votes, or Wisconsin,, with ID
votes Chairman Taggart thinks he can
carry Indiana. 1t is, however, going to
take lots of money, and 1t is the duty of
the south to aid In raising a campaign
fund. Why shouldn't Birmingham and
Alabama aid financially in this fight?
With sufficient aid Parker can be elected.
| otherwise Roosevelt will win.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
Auburn and the Championship.

Frank Jones. the big Auburn tackle is
in the city. Mr.. Jones Is Birmingham
boy and has been prominent in athletics
for several years. He speaks encourage
ingly of Auburn's chances to win the
southern championship this year.
Coach Donahue," he said has made
fine showing with this years material.
The team now averages about one hun
dred and sixty pounds and all the boys
are working finely together. We played
the Montgomery Athletic club today and
defeated them by score of 80 to 0. The
team is doing some hard practice and /
think when 1t makes the first appear
ance in Birmingham on Saturday, october
"a the boys will be in fine condition"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09

IT HERE Is no use in further talk
W or worry about the strike situa-
ton.
There Is nothing to it.
There is nearly as much coal being
mined in the Birmingham district today
as there would be If there were no strike
In existence. There is abundance of coal
to supply every demand made upon the
Birmingham district, and the price at
which coal Is selling is as low as 1t was
last year.
Large numbers of mines are open
some working union labor, some nom
union labor and some "open shop" Prac-
tically all the men who want to
work, under present conditions. are
getting work, although many Of them
have to go into other mines than those
in which they formerly worked.
1t is really an odd situation here. The
Tennessee. the Sloss. the Republic and
the Lacey Buck iron companies and
probably one or two others are maxi
ing contest against the miners union;
or perhaps better, they failed to agree
with the miners union and are attempt
ing TO operate their mines with non-union
labor In the meantime, the Alabama
Consolidated, the Cahaba Southern, the
Bessemer, Coal, Iron and Land company
and many others are continuing to oper-
ate their mines with union labor under
last years wage scale, pending an adj
justment between the United Mine Work
ers and the four companies above men,
toned. Besides these companies, there
are innumerable small companies In the
Birmingham district operating under the
old wage scale with union labor, and
there are likewise some very large mines
being operated as "open shop" or prac-
tically non-union mines.
Therefore every manufacturing enter
prise and every railroad, and every in
dvidual consumer who wants Birming-
ham district coal is getting it. and get
ting it at a low price.
I am told by well informed coal oper-
ators that were the Tennessee, Sloss and
other companies operating their big
mines. a number Of the small mines now
in operation would be compelled to shut
down and throw their miners out of work
because of the lack of demand there
would be for coal They tell me just as
many men are at work now as would be
were there no strike on, and that nobody
is suffering except the companies who are
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
Retail Trade.

There has been a marked improve
ment in the retail trade since the mid
die of September said a Second avenue
merchant. 'and 1t looks now as If the
shopping business would be larger this
winter than ever before
while our strictly local trade may
not be quite up to that of last year. a
greater number of people are coming to
Birmingham from the agricultural Sec
lions, and our country friends spend $40
now to 81 a few years ago.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-10-09
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
MATTERS OF THE WORLD
Rae5t,r~s~

appropriated by the ultra set. Somehow
with parrots, but the birds have appen-
dices. all right. and recent autopsy has
disclosed the fact that they can also
have appendicitis. 1t is great pity that
the esteemed English sparrow cannot be
subject to some of the ills that flesh is
heir to- He seems to be discouragingly
healthy.
After Peary has discovered the north
pole next summer it Is to be hoped that
more attention will be devoted to antarc-
tic explorations. From what science has
been able to gather 1t appears that the
people who inhabit the islands in the far
southern seas are vastly more interesting
than the stolid Esquimaux of the north
polar regions, and the fact that we know
so little about the antarctic ocean also ac-
counts largely for the mystery which en-
velopes that region. If the wild dreams
of writers and scientists are even shad-
ows of truth there is reason to believe
that a wonderful world awaits the ex-
plorer on mis- voyage to the south pole.
An interesting subject for historical re-
search and for the active imagination of
the writer is the story of the Aztecs, one
Of the most remarkable races that ever
rose to greatness and then faded away so
completely that they are now but
name Prescotts Conquest of Mexico is
a remarkably lucid and entertaining story
of those events leading up to and immed-
lately following the fall of Mexico, but
works treating in detail of the civilization
and arts of the Aztecs are few In num-
Der AS matter of fact. so little is known
of their history prior to the time when
they descended into the valley of Mexi-
co and established themselves on the
shore Of Lake Texcoco that no one can
speak authoritatively, although the pic
ture hieroglyphics of the Aztecs have
thrown some light on the question. One
of the most fascinating novels ever writ
ten about the conquest of Mexico is "The
Fair God" by Gen. Lew Wallace. This
book is historically accurate, and many of
its characters really took part In the
CAPTURE Of the City of Mexico. BY first
reading Prescott's work and then Gen.
eral Wallace's novel. one gets a vivid
idea of one of the most spectacular events
| recorded In history.
At last we are to have q rich mans
hamlet just outside Glenville Ohio. For
some time the wealthy residents VINO oc-
cupy what was the Fourth ward of Glen
Vile, some ninety-five in number. have
been paying taxes to the city government,
| and now they have come to the conclu-
sion that they are not getting much for
| their money. The result has been the Sc
| cession of the ward and the organization
| of a rich mans town, with ninety-five
| inhabitants, one mayor. no policemen, nc
! stores and no saloons The new town viii
| be named Bratenahl, and will have such
gilded atmosphere that the hoi polloi
will never dare to traverse its ultra boulc-
wards. Each gentleman will have private
Waterman to take the place OF a police
man, and the owner of the Cleveland
| Plain Dealer will be the first mayor
| Bratenah will be known as the richest
| hamlet in the United States. +. T.