davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
Stand By the Old Party

All know that there should be two strong parties in a country ruled by parties. All know there ever has been two such parties in this country, at least from Jeffersons day, one hun dred years ago. The federal party lived down to Jackson's term and then the whig party came into prominence. The whigs lived close to the Civil war when the republican party was formed. The old democratic party, founded by Jefferson, has lasted I century and now, after vanquishing the federal and whig parties, there are those who say it, too, must go.
 So t may, but the south should not lead off in the work of destroying or disintegrating the only party in the country that stands sternly opposed .o imperialism and that holds to a strict interpretation of the constitution in favor of the reserved rights of the states. The difference between an enl- pire and a confederation of sovereign states is deeply important and the south cannot afford to hasten the de- struction of the only party that is opposed to centralization and empiSeS
 The destruction of the demoeSfatis party means a wholesale Assertion tc the republican party @nd that means more tariff rolSeery of the many fol the benefiA of the few.
 It means, too, that the Jeffersonian doctrine of fair field and no favors is to be abandoned to promote the party that is saturated with privilege and capitalism.
 The south is not ready to play the game proposed. Victory may be de layed, but as surely as there is c sun in the heavens just so surely will majority of voters yet turn from imperialism and plutocracy to sound and just principles of government. Let the south be ready then to join in the movement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16

accusation would have arisen that an. other Maine disaster had occurred
 This accusation would have been in- dignantly repelled. but the relations of the two countries would have been strained to the utmost and war might have been precipitated.
 We'll, the Tsushima was not blown up in an American harbor. It is now plain that the explosion was from within and the two nations have be- come in the course of events friend ly even to the point of rare displays and the singing of American songs. What might have been is purely specu- lative in these piping times of peace and if the expectations case has any moral it is that undue passion be- tween nations should not be worked up. A wide ocean rolls between Japan and America and if each is just and reasonable toward the other that wide ocean will keep them from going to war or from harboring any nnfriend- ly notions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
A noble life before a long.
 -Coriolanus.
Filling Senator platt,S Seat

Senator Platt's term of office expires March 1 next and the legislature just elected will meet in January and in due time will proceed to elect his sue cessor.
 Many men have been mentioned in- cludins Joseph H. Choate, Elihu Root. Whitelaw Reid, Seth Low, ex-Governor Black and fully dozen other men of nigh standing.
 The impression prevails that Theo- dore Roosevelt could have the place for the asking, but he does not seem to want it, although he may ask for the seat now held by Chauncey Depew who is also booked for retirement.
 The next most available choice seems to be Elihu Root, now Secre- tary of State i'll the Roosevelt cabinet. He seems to bear the Roosevelt in- dorsement. He, however, would not do much toward making the Senate more of popular body and less a body de- voted to special interests. MT. Root is man of force and exceptional ca. pacity, but as a lawyer he has rep resented many of the big trusts and his hand has been seen in the for nation of some of the more obnoxious monopolies.
 Anybody is, however, better t'.an Thomas c. Platt and it is refrsonably certain that New York iv7il soon be represented by two nen strong in counsel and debate instead of two old men who had op lived the era that put .-fham ir, t7le senate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
The UprOar In Germany

Emperor Williams indiscrete inter- view which appeared originally in the London Telegraph recently has thrown Germany into an uproar such as that country has not known in many a haps, the Emperor's protestation of friendship for England had a patron izing air and was, therefore, not well received among the British. As it ac- centuated Williams defiance of Ger man public sentiment, touching the Boer war, the people of Germany, re- gardless of class or political faction, were angered and remarks about Japan and other nations embodied in the interview made no end of cofnpii- cations all round. That the Emperor should have been guilty of a blunder so grave was amazing, for such an in discretion was little short of tragic.
 During the first five years of his reign William II startled the world with his eccentricities. He was war lord of the medieval type. He was King and Emperor by divine right. He was both strenuous and imperious every day in the year and lockers on were constantly expecting him to precipitate bloody quarrel with this or that nation. Many there were who thought him mad. But as time passed on the young Emperor recollected him. self. He quieted down a bit. He was no less spectacular but he ceased to be dangerous. Those who had feared the effects of his blunders became less apprehensive and as the Emperor was rounding out period of 20 years of rule he was gaining credit for ma. tured statesmanship and exceptional capacity in the diplomatic field.
 His private life has been dis tinsuished for virtue and as a Chris tan man none in high life stood high. er. f,rt his interview has played smas1, so to speak. His prestige as sovereign is gone and it will probably never be recovered
 Germany will date it's constitutional reform from this episode. The Ger man people do not want republic. Even radical democrats, numerous in Germany, would scarcely advocate the abolition of the throne.
 Republics thrive in the new world and most nations in the old arc nov ing toward the republican form of goy- ernment But an empire constituted as
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
What Might Have Been

An officer of the battleship Alabama just returned from a cruise around tho world recently said: Three months ago the Japanese training ship Tsnsh. ina blew tip at sea off the north coast of the island of Luzon. Thirty. six hours before the accident the Tsushiina was at anchor in the har. Dor of Manila Suppose the thing, whatever 1t was, had gone wrong in her magazine While she was at Ma. hila and She had been blown up therel
 At the time mentioned both Japan and America were full of idle rumors silly yarns spun from mischief-mak- ing brains-and a disaster to a ship ia Manila would have added fuel to the flame, baseless as il was. Japan would not have believed that aS ship had been lost through trouble ffSm within. The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
REcLINE AT MEALS, HE SAYS.
Physician Who Would Revive the Gus
 tom of Ancient Rome.

From the New York Press
 Now comes physician with the grave assertion that to have perfect health one must not sit at table in the conventional way. but must revive the Roman custom of reclining at meals. Nor does he con fine himself to that advice, for he also counsels breakfasting in bed. His explan- alton is that Gin this age of rush there is far too little rest for the muscles and or gans. People tear madly about and are on the strain all day. They stand too much, and even when sitting, they are generally sitting 'up,' and the strain is almost as great in this position as when standing.
 "T'he opportunity of reclining should be taken at meals when possible" this doctor goes on. "The Romans knew this well, and used couches, not chairs, at their meals. They knew that while digestion is going on the body should be kept as quiet as possible. I should not care to say that sitting at meals is actually harmful, but A. trial might well be given to the other method. It is only possible, of course, to do this in ones own homeS but there it should certainly be experirnented with. It is a good thing, too, to breakfast in bed occasionally. It means eating leisurely. Most people bolt their breakfast and rush to catch a train. More reclining, too, should be done. The introduction of sofas into offices might prove stimulus to workers. Try resting your legs and body on a sofa for an hour or two in the after noon, after working all the morning. It will mean clearer brain and more ability to concentrate on your work afterward."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
Prosperity,s Return Hastened.

St Louis November 15.-That the most important result accomplished by the National Prosperity association, organized to hasten the return of prosperity, "is the change in public sentiment toward railroads and large corporations, espe- cially in the south and southwest is the declaration of r. c. Simmons, pres
 dent of that association, who today made public a letter which he sent to all the members of the association announcing the completion of it's work. After stat ing that the organization obtained re- suits far better than had been expected Mr. Simmons declares that among the most important results achieved was the visit to President Roosevelt, which re- suited in his not sending any more mes sages to Congress or doing anything that had the appearance of being an at tack upon railroads or other large cor porations,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
Our Ships In the Orient

It is plain that when we compli- mented Japan with an entire fleet con- manded by the senior rear admiral and China with half of it commanded by a rear admiral of lower rank we diseriminated in a manner that China cid not relish. The populace at Annoy and at Pekin and the official class did not display enthusiasm. The formal ities were duly attended to, but be- yon those fornafities the reception of the fleet at Annoy was disappointing and it steamed away in a sulky frame of mind.
 No harm, however, has been done. Annoy is not a port of great import ance and Chinese pride has not been seriously wounded. No harm will come from the visit The fleet or rather the administration at home may have made a diplomatic mistake at Annoy. The mistake, however, will not be long remembered. Our trade will not suffer at Shanghai or in Manchuria. It has not been pro- noted by the visit of half of the fleet at Annoy. It will not be lessened by it,
 Perhaps the best outgrowth of the Annoy visit will be stoppage of all attempts to work up close alliance between this country and China. A treaty of that sort would be absurd on our part. It would call for endless complications and instead of sending half a fleet to Annoy we would be compelled to keep all our ships in or near Chinese ports and the entire outfit would be in hot water con stantly. We want no entangling all dances with any country, least of all with China.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
THE COUNTRY EDITOR.
Meridian Star

From the Merlu1dH
 The country editor is an animal com mon to all parts of the United States, portions of Europe, Asia and Madagascar. He is a biped, quadruped, centipede and every other kind of a "ped' known to natural history. If he didn't have so many hands and legs he couldn't per form the duties of a country editor. Your Uncle Toby was once an editor. But he had a strong constitution and recovered. In a majority of the cases the patient does not recover. The disease is not con- tagious; you have to run after it. After that it has got you. As rule the coun- try editor is not ornamental, but is use full Everybody uses him. The regular duties of a country editor are to gather news from all over the county, and all other counties where his subscribers have relatives living, write editorial, obitua- ries and accounts of weddings, to set type make up forms, do job work, print, fold and mail the paper, solicit ads and locals, smoke a cob pipe, swear at the devil and throw the shooting stick at the cat He is also expected to attend all political meetings, church socials, base ball games and funerals of his delinquent subscribers. In addition to the above peas, patch the roof. repair the fence, wood. hoe in the garden. fed the pigs. sweep the floor. put up ashhoppers. stick peas, patch the roof, repair the efnce, put new hinges on the gate. It is also his duty to get in debt as much as pas sible to every merchant in town. as this will induce them to take more space in the paper. In the midst of all 1-these du- ties the editor is expected to have a good time, wear a ginger cake smile, brass finger ring and at least one "gallus." A country editor of light weight can't af- ford to tell the truth. If he did he'd get the stuffin' licked out of him every day. If the bride is hump-shoudered freckled, cross-eyed, and has a wart on her nose. : the editor is expected to say she is beau tiful and accomplished" If a candidate has a record that ought to put him in the penitentiary, the editor is expected to say he is honest, upright and capable"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
FRANCIS ]. HENEY
 STILL IMPROVING

San Francisco. November 15.--Francis J. Heney tonight is still making excel lent progress on the road to recovery from the bullet wound inflicted in Judge Lawler's court room Friday, by Morris Haas. He passed a comfortable night and rested easy today.
 Although the bullet was found i'm bedded in the left jaw the surgeons have decided not to extract it until MT. Heney gains more strength. When in- formed that his assailant committed suicide Mr. Heney said:
 ''It is too bad he did 1t before giving his reason for shooting me"
 The suicide of Haas was the subject of much discussion today and the police were engaged in trying to ascertain how he was able to conceal the pistol with which he took his life. Two the ories were advanced. One was that he had the pistol hidden in his shoe from the time he attemtped to kill MT. Heney and that it was overlooked by the police. The other theory is that the pistol was passed to Haas while he was in conference with his wife and the police guard.
 The clergy branch of the League of Justice held two mass meetings today, one at Calvary Presby yterlan church, the other at Gray M. F. church. The in- cidents of the last two days and the course of the great prosecutions were discussed by a number of speculators
 The attempt to kill MT. Heney has evoked a determination to support the district attorney in the prosecution to a conviction of all persons charged with debauching the public service. It is the intention to proceed tomorrow with the interrupted trial of Abraham Ruef.
 MT. Heney's place will be taken by Attorney Matt I. Sullivan and Hiram W Johnson
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
CATHOLIC CONGRESS. Missionary Delegates Convene for Four
 Days Session.

Chicago, November 15.--The first Cath olic missionary congress, pronounced by it's members as destined to open a new epoch in the progress of the church, today convened for a four days ses- sion in the presence of prelates. clergy men and laymen from many points of the United States and Canada. Pope Plus x was represented by Most Rev. Diomede Falconio, archbishop of Larissa and apostolic delegate to the United States, who in the initial ceremony pre- sented the apostolic blessing and congrat- ulations.
 The programme includes exercises which are to be participated in by rep resentatives from almost every city In the country.
 Preceded by the solemn procession of prelates from the cathedral college, solemn pontificai mass this morning was held at Holy Name cathedral. the celeb rant being Archbishop Falconio, assisted by the Most Rev. James II. Blenk. arch bishop of New Orleans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
WHAT FOREST FIRES MEAN

not be recovered for a score of years or more.
 Then there is the damage to rivers and adjacent farm country, the consequence Of floods and drought which follow the destruction of forests by fire or otherwise. The cost to the nation amounts to millions of dollars.
 Depreciation in forest wealth and in the value of the land visited by fires also en- dangers the prosperity of the territories affected and is a hindranee to commercial enterprise.
 Upon the basis of the forest service of the national government in it's experience with the forest reservations. the entire cost of administration of which, including a fire patrol, amounts only to 1 cent an acre, the whole forest area of the United States could be well patrolled and protect ed from devastating fires for less than SS, 0oG,0 600 a year. This would mean a yearly saving in timber losses alone of s2O,- od0,OOO regardless of the other advan- tages.
 By it's fire patrol the government forest
 
 3sS,S7s acres in 1904 to 1oe, 40 in 1907. Dur ing the same period the national forests were increased in acreage from 5S,O0O,00O to 1GSOOO00O acres.
 The question of protection from forest fires will be discussed in the Pittsburg meeting of the American Civic associa- ton, which has been an active supporter of Clifford Pinchot, chief of the United States bureau of forestry. in his efforts for forest conservation. The Pittsburg meeting will be held November 17-2o.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
DE MoRTUIs NIL NIsI BoNuM.

By Richard Rea1f.
 De mortuis nil nisi bonum. When For me the end has come and I am dead, And little, volubIe, chattering daws of men Peck at me curiousiy, let it then be said By some one brave enough to speak the truth, Here lies Il great soul killed by cruel wrong, Down all the balmy days of his fresh youth To his black, desolate noon, with sword and song And speech that rushed up hotly from tho He wrought for liberty, till his own wound Gle had been stabbed), concealed with painful art Through wasting years, mastered him and he swooned, And sank there where you see him lying now, With that word failure written on his brow. But say that he succeeded. If he missed Worlds honors and worlds plaudits and the wage Of the worlds delft lackeys, still his lips were kissed Daily by those high angels who assuage The thirstness of the poet, for he was Born unto singing, and a burden lay Nightly upon him. and he moaned be- cause He could not rightly utter to his day What God had taught in the night. Some times, nathless Power fell upon him, and bright tongues of flame And blessings reached him from poor souls in stress And benedictions from black pits of shame, And little chiidren's love. and old mems prayers, And great hand that led him unawares. So he died rich And if his eyes were blurred With thick films-=silencc. for he is in his grave. Greatly he suffered; greatly, too he erred, Yet broke his heart in trying to be brave. Nor did he wait till freedom had become The popular shibboleth of courtiers' lips, But smote for her when God Himself seemed dumb And all his arching skies were in eclipse. He was weary, but he fought his fight And stood for simple manhood, and was joyed To see the august broadening of the light And new earths heaving hcavenward from the void Iie loved his fellows, and their love was sweet ] Plant daisies at his head and at hist
 feet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16

"N CREST fires sweeping over the I" woodlands of Michigan, Wscon- sin, Minnesota, New York, Penn sylvania and other states have caused enormous losses of human life and of tim Der. Figures to show the extent of the damage for the current year have not been compiled. but the destruction wrought by forest fires in other years, so far as it has been possible to estimate it, urges the need of protective action.
 According to the figures obtainable, the loss of life in forest fires in the United States in the last 90 years, not including 1908, has been 1856 persons, or an av- craze of 65 year. The number of lives reported to have been lost in the United States and Canada this year is more than 150
 official census returns for 1880 showed an area of timber lands of 100000 acres burned yearly with the value of destroyed timber placed at $25,00O,0O0 to $5o0OO,0eO. and although the acreage of forests burned in later years Is much less, the loss is not. for the reason that the tim Der is much more valuable.
 Experts estimate that the damage done to new forest growth by forest fires amounts to $sO0oo0Oo yearly. figured upon a basis of an additional growth averaging 20 cubic feet an acre year. This, for a forest area of 5oO,oOO00O acres, would be 1O,Oo0 600 cubic feet.
 Another incidental loss, the result of forest fires, is the destruction of soil fer tility. The hunts. or essential vegetable mold, in the soil is devoured by the flames. What is lost in this manner can
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-16
THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT

?. By establishing schools, banks etc., in Palestine.
 3. By developing a stronger Jewish na- tional spirit.
 4. By getting the approval of foreign governments.
 Considering that it is only an 11-year- old infant Zionism has already worked wonders. It has actually created an or ganization which will be able to handle the crowd when the rush to Palestine be- gins. It has established 30 colonies and various factories, so that there are now more than 100000 Jews on the spot Every sixth man in Palestine today is Jew, and, of course, q Zionist.
 These 100000 Jews are the advance guard. They have actually begun to re- store the beauty and prosperity of their ancient home. They have planted one magnificent grove of 10000 olive trees in memory of Herzl, and they have backed their ideas with money to such an extent that there is now in one of the narrow streets of Jerusalem branch of the Jewish Colonial Trust of London, with very nearly $2,0OO,oO0 behind its barred windows
 Slowly, but surely, the Zionsts are welding together the scattered fragments of the Jewish race. They have actually established 8 congress, which meets every other year generally, at the city of Basic, in Switzerland talso in London and at The Hague), and which will continue to convene there until it moves back to it's rightful place at Jerusalem. The first of these remarkable congresses was held in 1S9z It was the first Jewish parliament for 2000 years, and it was also the most picturesque assemblage that could be im- agined.
 There were 2O4 members of this first Jewish congress. They were from 50 coun- tries. There were rabbis from Bulgaria. and freethinkers from Paris; bearded mer- chants from Algiers and clean-shaven students from New York; bankers from Berlin and shabby outcasts from Rus sia. But they were all Jews, and there was one unanimous feeling that burned in their hearts like fire-the desire to restore the fallen glory of the House of Israel. of those whose books have been "the best sellers" Seventy-fve million spell ing books and from 10,O00,O00 to 15,- 100000 dictionaries look like record figures,