davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

ceeded him. but in 1892 he was again nominated and elected. In February, ts9G the New York Herald printed a se- rles of vigorous editorials insisting that anti-third term sentiment was senseless. In these articles it was contended that the American people were in no wise bound by tradition or by the attitude of Washington or Jefferson; that tine theory of a republican form of govern ment was based entirely on the will of the majority; that therefore, if the dem ocratic party saw fit to nominate MT. Cleveland for another term which would be his third. there was no reason why majority of the voters should not cast their ballots for him. Cleveland said nothing but within a few weeks all talk Of his nomination had ceased. In the last democratic convention a few party lead CTS were there as delegates with the pur- pose, if the opportunity arose, of stam- peding the body for Cleveland-the one democrat who had been thrice nomi- mated and twice elected since the civil war. The ex-presdent gave out no pub lie utteranee, but close partisans regard ed him as receptive candidate, provided he were to be the unanimous choice of the convention.
 Now as for Mir. Roosevelt. Here Is what he said on the night of his election in 1904 "On the 4th Of March next l shall have served three and one-half
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
Poems You ShouId Read
THE OLD MANS COMFORTS.

By Robert Southey. You are old. Father William, the young
 man cried,
 The few locks that are left you are
 gray; You are hale. Father William, hearty
 old man,
 Now, tell me the reason. I pray. In the days of youth. Father William
 replied
 remember'd that youth would fly fast. And abused not my health and my vigor
 at first,
 That I never might need them at last. You are old. Father William. the young
 man cried,
 And pleasures with youth pass away. And yet you lament not the days that are
 gone,
 Now tell me the reason, I pray. In the da,s of my youth, Father William
 replied. | iu.a,..oer'd that youth could not
 last; I thought of the future whatever I did, That 1 might never grieye for the past. You are old, Father William, the young
 man cried.
 And life must be hastening away; You are cheerful, and love to converse
 upon death,
 Now tell me the reason, I pray. I am cheerful. young man, Father Will
 liam replied
 Let the cause thy attention engage; Tn the days of my youth l remember d
 my God.
 And He hath not forgotten my age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
By UIIlIam Ryan

years. and this three and one-half years constitutes my first term The wise GUS tom which limits the president to two terms regards the substance and not the form. Under no circumstances will I be a candidate for or accept another nomi- nation.
 But many of his admirers, including an army of officeholders, are not dis posed to take the President at his word. In his aprotestation three years ago he left no loophole. No words in the Eng fish language could have made it plainer that he would not accept a nomination in 1908 But the Roosevelt third term boomers now use the phrase flor second elective term MT. Roosevelt how ever laid 1t down strictly that he regard ed his term of three years and a half as his first term The occasion has presented itself recently when Mir Roosevelt with good taste might have reiterated his de- termination not to accept another nomi- nation; but he says nothing by way of reiteration. And the idea that he will be, under certain conditions. a receptive candidate next year seems to have color. If he should be nominated and if he should accept, can he be elected? 1 think not. 1t Is safe to say that none of us now living will ever see a third term President. In years past no crisis was serious enough to justify third term and certain 1t is that we are to have no such crisis in 1908.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

| gress at Washington With sincere re- 1 luctance he accepted the nomination, and at once resigning the seat on the bench, engaged in joint campaign with the in- cumbent, Evans, know nothing. The district alone covered an area about the same as the state of Alabama. But in three summer months the two candidates spoke on the same stump in every coun- ty Reagan was elected by a great ma jorlty. Toward the close of his first term, he declared his wish to retire from pub lie life His constituency would not hear to it. So he was chosen again.
 In all this time of constant contact with Texan public affairs, Reagan seems to have escaped a duel. He says he asked Gen. Sam Houston how he (Houston) could affaird to refuse the several chal- lenges to the field of honor known to have been sent to him. Houston replied that he had been very prominent in the af- fairs of Texas and the state had acquired a bad reputation for violence If he fought now increased prejudice would surely follow to the injury of the state. i Besides he had several gun shot sears on his body already, one received at tho Horse Shoe, in Alabama, one at San Jancinto q third in a duel in Texas. Ills personal courage had been attested. So
 
 years without direct refusal of them.
 Mir Reagan Appeared in his seat In the Provisional Congress of the Confederacy at Montgomery, in March 1861. President Davis appointed him, against his protest, postmaster general, but as the United States mails and express lines continued to operate in all the states for the first four or five months of the life of the Confectionery, the postmaster general Of the new government had ample time to organize his department. He used his op- portunity well. He wrote personal let ters to officers of the government at Washington whom he had known while in Congress there. appealing to them to come to him. All came at once, but one only. Benjamin Clements. chief clerk to the postmaster general. came. With him came Joseph Lewis. head of the bond d. vision: Captain Schwartman. head of the dead letter offce Mir. McNair of the finance bureau, and St. George Offit, chief
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
THE A AMERICAN "A YMAN

subordination to law has suddenly be- come the problem of American free gov ernment The place that Reagan holds in the initial of the solution of that mighty problem is so advanced and in- fuentia1 that some recitation of the per sonal history of such a man must be educative in other spheres Of human ac- tivity. Personal history of man of action, of two generations only ago, be- comes even in America as unique almost as the tale of Jacob and his sons.
 he four branches of American an- cestors of Reagan were English, Irish, Welsh and German. an suspicious anal gam. The grandfather, Reagan the father of this son, were all born in Be- vier county, Tennessee, the last named in ISIS.
 The father lost his property in tan yard and lost thus the means of edu- eating his children, of whom there were fiv5 sons and daughter.
 John worked in the tan yard and on the farm, while not attending Nancy academy, nearby. At the age of 16 he en- tered upon the self-imposed task of edu- eating himself. He made contract with neighbor, Major John Walker, to labor on the farm for one year at the rate of board and 30 per month, payable in corn, estimated at shillings the bush
 
 price that his net wages amounted to $ a month only. With the proceeds books an outfit of becoming clothing were pur- chased. Entering Boyd's academy, he relied on such farm work as he could fiEd on Saturday and the long afternoons of summer Ito pay his board. n the season of vacation he fioated flatboat, laden with assorted merchandise, down the upper Tennessee to Alabama villages along the bank. He kept books at a small country store. All his labors were directed toward one object, to accumu- late means to graduate at the seminary.
 On one of the flat boat trips he made the acquaintance at Decatur, Ala, of MT. Bishop. Bishop was about to open re- tail liquor shop at Decatur and wished to engage just such a young man as John Reagan for manager. He offered this young man a partnership in which his time and attention would be the only capital from him. The prospective profits
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

A. D. IS; Livy, A. D. +. The last one Of them died when Jesus was youth, work ing in his reputed fathers carpenter shop at Nazareth; and this was some ten years before he began to preach.
 Of the later Latin authors, Tacitus and the younger Pliny were born A. D. 6l; the authors whose works we must consult, and it is a striking fact that every one Of them does mention the existence Of Christianity, and does refer to the per- sonal Christ. Tacitus and Pliny both gave important statements as to Chris tianity, it's authors, it's progress, and It's influence upon the minds of men in that age. Pliny was a judge in the Roman province of Bthynia in the reign of the Emperor Trajan; and here is Pliny's let ter to the Emperor Trajan:
 Tt is a rule. sir, which inviolably ob- serve, to refer myself to you in all my doubts; for who is more capable of re- moving my scruples or informing my ig- norance? Having never been present at any trials concerning those persons who are Christians, I am unacquainted, not only with the nature of their crimes, or the measure of their punishment, but how far it is proper to enter into an examina- ton concerning them. Whether, therefore, any difference is usually made with re- spect to the ages of the guilty, or no dis tinction to be observed between the young and the adult; whether repentance en- titles them to a pardon; or, if a man has been once a Christian, it avails nothing to desist from his error; whether the very profession of Christianity, unattended with any criminal acts, or only the crimes themselves inherent In the profession, are punishable; in all these points l am greatly doubtful.
 ''In the meantime, the method I have observed towards those who have been brought before me as Christians is this: I interrogated them whether they were Christians; if they confessed, I repeated the question twice, adding threats at the same time; if they still persevered, I or dered them to be immediately punished. For I was persuaded, whatever the nature of their opinions might be, contuma- cious and inf1exible obstinacy certainly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
By /. C. Hlden, D. D..

fire by his own orders. The infamy of that horrible transaction still adhered to him. In order, If possible, to remove the imputation he determined to transfer the guilt to others. For this purpose me pun ished. with exquisite torture, race or men detested for their evil practices, by vulgar appellation commonly called Christians. The name was derived from Christ, who in the reign of Tiberius sui fered under Pontius Pilate, the procurator of .Judaea By that event the sect, or which he was the founder, received a blow which, for time, checked the growth of a dangerous superstition; but it revived soon after and spread with re- cruited vlgor, not only in Judaea, the soil that gave it birth, but even In the city or Rome the common sink into which ev- erything infamous and abominable flows like a torrent from all quarters of the world. Nero proceeded with his usual artifice. He found a set of profigate and abandoned wretches, who were induced To confess themselves guilty, and on the eV- idence of such men, number of Chris tians were convicted not indeed upon clear evidence of their having set the city on fire. but rather on account or their sullen hatred of the whole human race. They were put to death with ex- ouisite cruelty, and to their sufferings Nero added mockery and derision. Some were covered with the skins Of wild beasts and left to be devoured by dogs others were nailed to the cross; numbers were burnt alive; and many, covered over with nnammable matter, were lighted up, when the day declined, to serve as torches during the night. For the con venience of seeing this tragic spectacle the emperor lent his own gardens.
 He added the sports of the circus, and assisted In person, sometimes driving currlcle and occasionally mixing with the rabble in his coachmans dress. Al length the cruelty of these proceedings filled every breast with compassion. Hu- manlty relented in favor of the Chris tians The manners of that people were. no doubt. of pernicious tendency. and their crimes called for the hand of jus tice; but it was evident that they fell a sacrifice; not for the public good, but 10 glut the rage and cruelty of the man
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

A NEW political party appeared "A immediately after the defeat of 4 \ General Winfield Scott for the presidency, in 1852, and the resultant death of the whig party. The first trial of strength made by it, in the slave states was by the nomination Of John Minor Bolts of whig antecedents for governor of Virginia-the unmuti- lated Old Dominion of Washington and Jefferson, the valley of the Shenandoah included, the coal seams and the match less farms.
 Henry A. Wise, then at the zenith of his power, was put up by the dem ocrats to contest with Botts, while the ',ostensible object of the new party was Nto preserve America for Americans" restrict European immigration and de- bar Catholics from civil office, the democrats claimed the real sch eme was the resuscitation of the whig party. They detected in the leaders the old whigs who stood for high protective tariff. anti-slavery, "the union is the paramount political good" denunc1a- tion of states rights and all the an- cient doctrines of the Hamlton-Clay school; and that the new party was in fact an attempt to inasqueiaue aS '"e wolf in sheep's clothing.
 Wise in 1S53-54, was one of the most highly trained, one of the most scholarly and one of the most bril- liant political debators in America. He had been representative in Congress and a foreign minister. His instincts were intensely democratic, as democ- racy was then contained, in the spirit and customs of a slave-holding aristoc- racy. Bolts was also brilliant politi- cal orator. He was a man or varied parts and accomplish ments. Among other personal attractions he was noted breeder and racer of horses, that ran four-mile heats.
 The stump. debates of Wise and Bolts arc a salient part of the history of this renublic. In one of Wise's most inn passioned addresses, he sought to eX- pose the anti-southern character or this new party. how the real purpose
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
Relanons of tie State to Me CltlSen

The true paternalism is that which stands ready to help those who are try ing to help themselves. The savings bank which enables man to accumulate the sums of money too small for investment until they reach such an amount as to be of some service is form or assist ance which we'll illustrates how neces- sary is the true paternalism. Since the establishment of the postofflce savings bank in England the spirit of thrift has been one of the most noticeable features in economic conditions. The paternalism exhibited in the postoffice savings banks consists simply in securing the depositor by pledging the stability of the British empire to make good the amount de- posted.
 Paternalishm is also very we'll Illus trated in the postal department of most antions In England the government owns and operates the telegraphic service as well as the postal service and both have proved not only a profitable investment for the nation, but have also reduced the cost of the service to the public. The paternalism which puts the services of great institutions within the reach of the humblest or poorest citizen is not foster ing a spirit of dependence nor putting premium on indolence. It is melting a desire in the hearts of all to take part in the race of progress on the assurahco that their opportunities are equal and their rights protected.
 The provision which state or nation might make for its aged or indigent would be denounced as paternalism. but the assistance given Its youth in the shape of education in the public schools is gratefully accepted. Although natural laws tend to make man more solicitous about the welfare of his young children than of his aged parents. yet the state is willing to grant and the citizen to accept
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

many a family from ruin when the main support was removed; the failure of a life insurance companiy has brought wreck and ruin to many other families. Although prudence recommends the old line companies, the temptation which wildcat companies hold out to the public are almost irresistible to the poor man, who is anxious to make the best provision possible for his family The disasters which invariably attend these wildcat companies lend to discourage the spirit of thrift which 1t is so much the duty of a good government to inculcate In It's citizens. The man who carries policy of life insurance for $l00,000 or over IS the man who Is living in affluence and wishes to preserve his family in that con- dition after his death, but the man who carries a policy of insurance for 5000 is the man who denies himself many of the pleasures of life to make provision for family that would face Restitution in the event of his death. This is the class of man who should be encouraged in his efforts and protected against the inf.c- ton of exorbitant premiums which swell the coffers of the old liners; this is the man in whose interest the national gov crnment should establish system of pa tional insurance based on the lowest rates and backed by the nation itself
 The purpose of paternallsm should be to help those who are struggling to help themselves, and the truest and best as- slstance that can be rendered is the as- surance that these struggles shall not be wasted There is more spectacular dis play in the legislation which is directed towards the curbing and bursting of trusts than in passing laws to alleviate the condition of the poor. Government ownership of railroads Is a most magnifi- cent programme to advocate, but whether the railroads are owned by the govern ment or by private corporations the pas- senger must pay his fare if he wants to travel on them. The spirit of the law to- day is to prevent rather than to permit:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

was to overthrow the Jeffersonian principles and rehabilitate the monar- chical doctrines of Hamilton and his disciples. Closing a splendid outburst of patriotic Reclamation, he recited these. lines:
 Rather than wear dishonored chains, Or captives follow the trophied car, Give us again the wildness of our
 woods,
 The fierce freedom of our great fore
 fathers"
 These weighty words. "the fierce freedom of our great forefathers," came with force to my mind, though I had not read them since the days of my youth, when I found on this page on a recent Sunday, classic and charming account of an incident In the history of the early Christians illus trating the rugged foundations of their religion. It is assuredly profound comment on the native virtue of man, to discover what genuine refinement of mind and feeling ante-dates those customs of society which we denomi- nate "ciyilization." From "the fierce freedom of our great forefatners, we have the American idea of civil gov ernment, the most refined example or civics time has developed.
 Pursuing the siHlple su66eatoi' e,iA going to write down somewhat of the career of a citizen of the south, whose life, beginning in humbleness and obscur- ity, rose to the crest of the wave or public confidence and official preferment. In the entire range of American oiog- raphy. we may search in vain for the exact counterpart of John H. Reagan or Texas and his career. He measr"ed up to the wheel horss test completely There is no example more positive than this man, who waited for unsought honors and who honored the stations or var,ous kinds in which he was placed as by instinct of the voters.
 We look back upon these pioneer char scter5 that are gone forever. The world has mo ed out of them. The railroad IS responsible for the change. In America, the frontier is departed. Russia runs a railroad across Asia and others are to follow. railroad is to run the length or Africa and others will follow. Railroad
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

only" (Annals, chap. XLIV) With tho opinions which the heather authors, Pliny, Suctonius and Tacitus, held concerning Christ Christians and Christianity, we are not specially con cerned. It is clear that none Of these writers knew much about the Christians, and 1t is equally clear that they were greatly prejudiced against both Christ and his followers. This, however, so far from damaging, rather enhances the value Of their testimony.
 We see. then, that even outside of the New Testament, we have abundant tes- tlmony to establish quite an array of important historical facts touching the origin and the early progress of Chris tlanty. l once heard learned pro- lessor of Greek, in one of our greatest universities. speak sneeringly of what he was pleased to call ''The slipshod Greek of the New Testament" What would he do with the classic Latin of Tacitus and Pliny?
 To the Chicago editor referred to at the beginning of this article, l commend the following story:
 Two ignorant preachers-a Methodist and a Baptist--were engaged fin a debate on baptism. The Methodist asserted boldly. that "after all the fuss that the Baptlsts has been a-malSin about irn- merse and immersion. thar aint nary one O. them words to be found in the lids of the Scripters, from Genesis to Reve- lations." The Baptist did not know whether this was true not; so when he came to reply, he arose with much dignl- ty and said: My hearers. I want you to notice the very remarkable statement the brother just now made. He has the face to stand up here before you, and tell you that the words immerse and inn merslon ain't to be found fin the lids of the Scripters." And then pausng. as if in amazement at the temerity of his an- tagonst, but really because he did rot know what to say next, he repeated the remark with redoubled emphasis. This frightened the Methodist, who thought the Baptist was about to turn to divers texts full of immerse and immersion; so he arose, and, with bated breath and all humility. explained: T said, not as | knowed on."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01

deserved correction. There were others also brought before me possessed with the same infatuation; but being citizens of Rome, I directed that they should be conveyed thither. But the crime spread actually under prosecution, several in stances of the same nature occurred. An information was presented to me without any name subscribed, containing charge against several persons these, upon examination, denied that they were, or had ever been, Christians. They re- peated after me an invocation to the gods, and offered religious rites with wine and franlSincense before your statue (which for that purpose I had ordered to be brought, together with those of the gods), and even reviled the name of Christ; whereas there is no forcing, it is said, those who are really Christians into any of these compliances. l thought it proper. therefore, to discharge them.
 Some among those who were accused by witness in person, at first confessed themselves Christians, but immediately after denied it; the rest owned, indeed, they had been of that number formerly, but had now (some above three, others more, and a few above 20 years ago) re- nounced that error. They all worshiped your statue and-the images of the gods, uttering imprecations at the same time against the name of Christ. They af- firmed that the whole of their guilt, or their error, was that they met on cer- tain stated day before it was light and addressed themselves in form of prayer to Christ as a god, binding thenlselves by a solemn oath, not for any wicked purpose, but never to commit any fraud, theft, or adultery never to break their word, nor deny a trust when called upon to deliver it up: after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble, to eat in common harmless meal From this custom, however, they desisted after the publication of my edict by which, according to your commands, forbade the meeting of any assemblies. In con- sequence of this, their declaration, judged it the more necessary to endeavor to extort the real truth, by putting two female slaves to the torture, who were