davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
Does Providence RuleY
- The Washington Herald:

Editor The Washington Herald
Many people with thinking minds seek
Ing for truth are asking themselves this
question. After much observation and
thought I am convinced that this ques-
ton cannot be successfully answered in
the affirmative. II providence does watch
over the destinies OF man, as is claimed by
so many, what was it doing the other day
when those innocent children met such a
fate near Cleveland. Ohio; or when that
excursion boat, Slocum. was burned in
New York Harbor, loaded with Sunday
school children? And I see by papers
that the aged captain is sentenced to
penal servitude. while the wealthy own
ers OF the death-tTap are allowed to go
free
Why does an innocent child sometimes
partially recover from meningitis only to
be a dwarfed sufferer all the rest of its
life?
have asked similar questions Of the
advocates of this kind providence faith, 3"
and have usually been met with the
reply that Providence works mysterious
ly, and that 1 must not question"
believe this condition of mind. being
afraid to question lest we walk on holy
ground, has impeded the progress of the
human race through all the centuries
gone by. 1t viii no doubt continue to do
so for some time to come
But there are a few signs that the army
OF deliverance is advancing. though slowly
and painfully. EN- sIAnds.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
More About Gambling.

Editor The Washington Herald:
The caption Of my article in the Herald
OF March 2, Believes in Gambling" is
much more radical than meant the ar
ticle to be, and does me wrong.
The object OF that letter was apparent
enough. It opposed paternalism and au-
tocratic power over the people of the Dis
| trict. The question is not so much whether
one believes in gambling as it is of de-
priving him of the right 10 gamble IL he
so desires; and believe an adult should
be the judge Of this.
If any one should ask my advice as to
whether he should gamble or not. would
by all means tell him TO let ii alone If
were asked II 1 thought law should
be enacted to take away my individual
freedom of action in this matter. l would
say with all the spirit that is in me. that
this was not in consonance with the
spirit Of the Constitution. and the reputa-
tor we have OF being a 'Iiberty-Ioving
people" was going further the other way
than any monarchy or tyrany had yet
gore.
Where will this craze for Iegisiating
upon every evil. fanoied and real, end?
Why not re-enact the old Puritanical
blue-laws at once? We are drifting that
way. We will be lost in a perfect maze Of
small and paternal enactments, so that
within a short time each residence will
have an officer as a necessary adjunct.
and as a staff officer to the father of the
family.
The Commissioner Of the District, speak
ing at Jamestown, alluded TO his auto
cratic powers. We hear much about the
insufficient number of the police force,
and yet the sphere Of their duties is
constantly sought 10 be increased by petit
enactments that even require the inva-
sion Of the sanctity OF the home. and
homes have been broken into here IN this
city and parties arrested and dragged be-
fore court because they were playing
cards for money l defy a duplicate OF
any such infamy in ony other nation ex-
tant In England a policeman who would
attempt such thing would never do ii
the second time. Here we are accustomed
to the audacious and acquiesce in almost
anything, so it is done in a bold way
Derby Day" in England is a holiday.
and you may depend upon It. England
knows the temper OF the Briton too well
to attempt to interfere with his betting
on horse race. or TO deprive him OF an
individual freedom.
This is the Capital of a great liberty
loving people" We are trying TO have
1t made beautiful; but what is the use
of doing this If we are to make ii hideous
by the enactment of all sorts of wildcat
restrictions that engender scorn only
as fit for boys
More money by far Is lost by intrusting
II 10 the man who CANDLES on II and
calls himself a banker than has ever been
lost at ali the race tracks and gambling
dens in existence.
Anything done on a large scale es-
capes the rant and craze OF the noisy re-
former. The stock exchange gambler
who CANDLES in commodities that he
never produces. never sees. is a gentle
man. Think OF the enormous amounts
made and lost. Whoever gets the money
does not earn a penny OF it. He neither
produces nor distributes a bushel of grain
or pound OF cotton. He contributes abb
soiutely nothing to industry He merely
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
Taft Bureau Ridiculed.

Editor The Washington Herald:
This absurd performance Of the Taft
bureau in making comparisons Of Taft
and Roosevelt, and crcuching and grovel-
ing at the feet OF Wall street. has set the
whole world to laughing and turned the
TAFT campaign into a screaming farce.
Save me from my friends-fool friends. -
some one said. I think ii was Taft, and I
don't blame him bit, for II the whole
Columbus bureau had Gone It's best 20 XIII
Taft dead as Julius Caesar it could not
possibly have changed a word or syllable
OF that colossal fool circular
These circulars and pronunciamentos of
the Taft managers in Ohio remind me Of
what the old Democrat during the war
said about Nasby's letters from Confed-
crate X Roads. which is in the State Of
Kentucky: oh" said the dear old fel-
low, with fatuous want Of humor. these
letters is a-doin the Dimkrat party more
harm than good" and he was mighty
right. With this radical difference be-
tween the Nasty performance and that Of
Vorys, the former intended that harm,
but the guileless Vorys. on the contrary
hand. was unconscious of the logical
tHtCI OF his 0dTuphOOltSlDDSS-
When 1 first read the Vorys -proelama-
ton Of peace and good will to Wall street,
and its assurance that Taft Is no such
rash and dangerous man as Roosevelt, I
thought there must be a mistake about Il.
II ever fool friends took their bits in
their teeth and rushed on the thick bosses
or defeat FOR their candidate. / am sure l
never saw or heard OF anything quite as
superlatively ludicrous. laughable. and
idiotic as this performance in the sup
posed interest of Taft 70 catch and hold
the great corporations OF the country at
one resounding yawp.
IL was an awful moment. surcharged
with grave apprehensions and fears. when
In The Midsummer Nights Dream" the
Hon Is brought upon the stage. One can
see the auditory rise as one man and pre-
pare for a rush 10 the door, their fingers
in their ears. lest the lions terrific roar
shall deafen them. But notice how the
lion quiets their fears; ike him who plays
the star part Of the ass in the same play,
he opens his big jaws and says: Il am no
lion; only poor Snug. the joiner"
Then Snug allays all apprehension OF
his coming roar, assures the terrified
audience that he will roar you as gently
as any sucking dove" So the audience
keep their seats, remove their fingers from
their ears, and await the gentle cooling Of
his leonine majesty.
An explanation of a ike soothing and
reassuTing character comes from the hole
IN the wall ana with all these kindly and
thoughtful assurances OF safety and
tranquility the audience keep their seats
until the curtain rings down on the fool
ishest farce ever played outside OF
lunatic asylum The explanation needs
another explanation. VIII D. the world
holds its sides and laughs at this dam
phoolishness. PRIVATE DALZELI.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
Wet or Dry?
itor The Washington Herald:

Editor The Washington Herald
In the long ago It was common to
settle contests 10 spit on one side of a
chip. toss it up and guess as to which
side would show up. Now the all-ab-
sorbing question is whether we shall
have wet goods or dry goods. For many
reasons I am in favor of the wet No
one but a fool and an migrate would
abandon an old and true friend for a
stranger. Opposition to liberty and in
dependence is antagonistic TO American
Ism. Prohibition and prescription excite
antagonlsm.
am in favor of temperance backed
up by common sense and conscience.
When I was a student of medicine I
became a member Of a temperance So
clety proposed and advocated by the
late Prof Daniel Drake. one OF our most
eminent teachers of physiology and
pathology. and I have been consistent
and conscientious member ever since;
hence have never been a drunkard.
The provisions were addressed especially
70 doctors, but they will apply TO others
as well:
Whenever you may have an incentive
20 take drink Of liquor stop and ex-
eAAlAAAt -blA SCH d. YOU WOulO 4 patient.
and If you reach the conclusion that Il
would be beneficial, take il, otherwise
don't"
During our fratricidal OF civil war.
after serving less than two years, 1 re-
signed my commission as a surgeon. But
after having been at home a few weeks
IL occurred % me that I could and ought
70 do more for the cause Of the Union
Hence ] had a conference with the
colonel Of the Twelfth Kentucky Cav
airy, who was just taking the initial
steps toward recruiting his regiment.
The result was that I went to Whites
vile, KY, where loyalty 70 the flag was
scarcely known, and at once announced
the purpose that ] was there for. i
was very successful. but had il not been
for the persuasive influence OF whisky
1 would not have recruited more men
for that command than any other man.
W. LEE WHITE
Floral Hill D. C.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16

triuElphs yet undreanled. and, If need be,
yield uneonquerable armies and navies 70
defend a nation worth fighting for. The
transcendent achievements OF Japan are
but the natural fruit Of the industrial
training OF all its youth Thirty-fOur
years ago Mr. Mort, the first minister of
japan to the United States. was my guest
here for week we were then running
an extended farm, largely experimental,
with all varieties Of fruit grasses, and
cattle. He came quite alone. a quiet
little man, greedy Of knowledge. When
he left he took away with him and sent
to Japan Stewart Eldridge, a most prom
Using young physician, who. with his wife
both former pupils OF mine. was visiting
US He went 20 the Bureau Of Agriculture
at Washington and later induced Col
Capron, the Commissioner. an old soldier
Of the civil war and a practical farmer. 70
go 10 Japan and introduce agricultural
machinery.
During several years OF the early T0s
this wise, far-seeing Oriental was secur-
Ing able young men in every special line
OF human knowledge and skill Students
and laborers were coming here from
japan in great numbers Every Ameri-
can college had It's students. and in the
great workshops the boys from Japan
-
The same process was going on all over
Europe. These trained youth went home
from everywhere, carrying every craft
and all the knowledge OF the world They
planted these seeds and tended with faith
ful hands Stewart Eldridge rose high IN
the medical staff Of the Japanese navy.
He came back now and then 10 tell Of the
country Of his adoption and her marvellous
life in the home. the school. and farm and
workshop. He do not live 20 see the
great war but It fulfilled his predictions.
Now, 4 we can arouse the nation 10 such
work as Japan did, We need not fear.
The ignorance and helplessness Of our
masses viii be changed 70 intelligence
and supreme Industrial efficiency.
But the task is herCulean. The snlat-
tering Of multiplied book lessons that is
now called education is a shield impen-
etrable 70 al ordinary appeals. Against
ignorance the gods themselves are power
Less"
Our hope seems 70 be IN the captains
OF industry" They are alarmed al the de-
cline OF skilled labor. They spend money
freely as water 20 found trade schools 10
make better mechanics. Let them com
bine. put in a billion. TO give all children
complete training. That viii insure US
for all time EDWARD DANIELS.
Guns-On. Va
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
Immortality of the Soul.

Editor The Washington Herald:
''All souls are immortal. not flesh.
is statement made by Mr.. G. ]. S
Hunicutt. evidently in reply to my letter
Of the previous week. I read Mr Huni-
cults epistle very carefully for proof
in support OF his statement, but none
was offered. The mere declaration of
the Immortality OF the soul is not suf-
hcient-evidence either from nature or
revelation is necessary. The testimony
OF revelation against the immortality OF
the soul previous TO the second coming
of Christ Jesus is abundant.
Here are a few statements selected
from many of similar character which
submit for Mr.. Hunicutt's considera-
ton: 1.-THE soul that sinneth. II shall
the error of his way shall save soul
from DEATH the wages of sin is death.
but the gift of God is eternal life through
Jesus Christ our Lord" God will rem
der TO every man according to his deeds:
to them who, by patient continuance in
well doing, seek for glory, honor, and
immortality, eternal life" "our Saviour
Jesus Christ hath brought life
and Immortality 10 light through the
Gospel" at the last trump
this mortal shall put on immortality"
That the dead are unconscious. and.
therefore, not immortal. is clearly taught
in the following Scriptures. which 1 rec
Ommend to Mr.. Hunicutt for a careful
reading: Feel, kiss; Ps., cxlvi:3,4; Job,
xiv:1O-i5; John, v:2S,2s; I Thess., Wills,
&c.
VIII Mr. Hunicutt accept the conse-
quences following his statement OF belief7
Here are few of them: % The eternal
suffering in fire of the unbeliever; 90
The inability OF Christ to make possible
atonement for sin, as il is evident that
the penalty for transgression must be
met, before the transgressor can be re-
leased. the penalty being eternal con-
seriousness in misery in hell fire. neither
Jesus nor any one else could merit ii;
CD Unbelievers are In suffering now,
while the one responsible for the exist
ence Of sin is not-''The devil goeth about
as roaring lion, seeking whom he may
devour." Rather unfair. to say the least,
10 permit the devil, the author of sin.
TO roam around the earth at will, while
those whom he caused 70 sin have been
In the flames of hell for centuries. "a
Makes necessary punishment before judg-
ment as the Bible locates the judgment
at the end of the world. (Acts, xvil:s1.
xxiv:25; Rom. ii:16; John, xii:474s 90
Denies the most positive teaching of the
word OF God, that sin and its conse-
quences are not eternal. Ps., xxxvii:S-10;
Hosea, xii;2,3; Hal, iv;1-3; Eccl. ks;
Rev, xxi:4.5; Rev, via
Takoma Park D. C.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
Turn Out the Old Clerks !

Editor The Washington Herald:
II seems well-nigh incredible that any
proposition so fraught with injustice and
wrongdoing could be for one single mo-
ment entertained or considered by sober.
thoughtful Representatives in Congress.
II has been oft repeated that republics
are ungrateful. The carrying out of such
a measure as that proposed would empha-
size and carry conviction to the mind Of
the average man that the old adage Is
true.
/ suppose the object of this bill intro
duced in Congress is to get rid of inefi-
Client clerks, in fact, to displace old men
with young stock
If so, why does it become necessary TO
enact law for this purpose? Is il not
competent now for the head OF a division
TO displace or dismiss an old incompetent
CLERK? If the head of division finds a
clerk "old and incompetent" is il not
within the power of the Secretary TO dis
miss him? Then why the law? One would
naturally infer that there are a large
number Of this sort of old trash now in
the government service who are "old and
incompetent" at this moment. and who
ought 70 De got rid or. 4 very much doubt
this statement That there are old men
who are serving the government In one
capacity or another is true, but that there
are many incompetents 1 do not believe
The proposition is to kick out the old
dogs and not allow them any pensions. no
matter how long or faithfully they NAV
have served their government The word
'Old" seems TO furnish material for con-
sideration in the conclusion of the matter.
1t is true there are old men in the service.
know several in the Post-office Depart
ment who have been at their desks many
years. Their heads have grown white in
this service. They have been faithful.
watchful, careful servants. In the Sec
ond Assistant Postmaster Generals office
are some of these men. whose services
have been invaluable for score of years.
Frequently they have been of great serv-
Ice in saving the government from losses
OF money. These are sober thoughtful
men. And now. should such men be dis
missed and declared unworthy of a PEN
sion. simply because they have grown old
in the service?
Some old men, whose heads are white,
were In the old armies, and who, when
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
More About the Cats.

Editor The Washington Herald:
I wish TO say a few words on the re-
Gently proposed bill for the taxation of
cats" in the District OF Columbia.
Il is not for me to condemn this new
measure" for there certainly is some
right on its side. but. If considered at
all. it should be radically modified
In the. first place let US consider tbs
needs for such a measure. OF course. in
the city where the population is thiclly
congregated there is a good deal OF an
noyance caused by the midnight sere-
naders on the back fence.
OF course. a great many people would,
for the sake of their pets. be willing
20 pay. but there are many others who
would not feel able to comply with this
felt their cats.
Now let us consider the result OF this
partial determination of the animals.
II is well known that in a house where
no watchful tabby resides there are gen
orally mice and rats. This Is partially
obviated by traps, but as the mice and
rats have to come to the traps this
form OF procedure is not as successful
a. ShS III winch thS ihiCS are pursued
The old saying goes. When the cats
away the mice VIII play" and they would
play havoc without the household cat.
In San Francisco a striking example
OF the unhealthfulness OF rats and mice
was shown by the spread OF the bubonic
plague" by this means, and Il Is also an
fact that these annoying
pests carry many other kinds OF con-
tagious diseases, so 1t Is extremely prob
able that mortality would be greatly In
creased from this source.
Therefore. let US. If we wish TO con-
tinue this measure. 10 at least put II in
a form that instead Of DISCRIMINATING
the useful household pet, we shall abate
the nuisance of the midnight squallers.
and if a tax is necessary. to make II
within the reach Of all.
JOHN II CHAPMAN
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16

the general He may be descended from
one OF Packenham's 1900 veteran SOL
diers. whom Jackson defeated. killing and
wounding nearly one-third OF them. while
jackson. with his 5000 raw militia, lost
seven killed and eleven wounded.
What astOnishes me is that reputable
magazine. and Munsey's is reputable
should publish such stuff"
EZRA NAT. HILL.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-03-16
VIEWS OF PEOPLE ON MANY TOPICS
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

humiliation OF the Democratic party and
the formation of a new party in 1912
which would afford no place for privi-
legged interests and vested wrongs.
T. f. HONAHAN
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-10
NAME TWO TICKETS
IN WEST VIRGINIA
SwiSher Nominated By Reg
ular Republicans-Scherr
Declares He'll Fight.

CHARLESTON, ". Va. July 10
Charles W Swisher. Of Marion, was
nominated for governor by the ReDub-
lican state convention, which wound
up its labors late last night.
II is claimed by the Swisher Ssing
that they can beat the Demo srats
without the aid % the Scherr faction,
while the Scherr faction maintains that
with Swisher at the head Of the ticket
no compromise is possible, and unless
a compromise is effected the Democrats
will carry the State. Every effort was
made TO get Swisher on the track. but
he stubbOrnly refused to give way 70
a man mutually acceptable Scherr
therefore declares that he will fight the
ticket 10 the last ditch, as he does not
propose 10 be ground 10 pieces by the
machine steamroIler. Scherr has been
nominated for governor at the head OF
the fun State ticket.
None of the old line party leaders
are in Charleston, and there IS no one
on the scene big enough 70 handle the
situation. II was rumored yesterday
that both Senator Elkins and Senator
Scott would return. but they have not
done so.
The Swisher ticket, which is getting
20 be recognized as the regular ticket
IS as follows:
Governor. Charles W Swisher, o,
Marion; auditor. John Sherman Darst
OF Jackson; State superintendent Of
schools, NJ P ShaWkey. OF Kanawha
attorney general William G. Corley, OF
Preston; secretary Of state. Stuart +
Reed. OF HARRISON treasurer, z /
Long, Of Mcdowell
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-10
WATSON ACCEPTS
THE NOMINATION.
Scores Bryan and Lauds
Taft at Meeting of the
Georgia Populists.

AUGUSTA, Ca. July 10.-PromisinZ
II he is elected. war on plutocracy, and
an assertiveness Of the executive power
that viii make good reading for future
generations. Thomas T. Watson has
accepted the Populist nomination for
President.
In his speech he scored Bryan. and
Iauded Taft. The Nebraskan was hiss
ed plentifUIly, while the crowd cheered
Roosevelt FOR his action with regard To
the Brownsville regiments. Er. Wat
son said that when politicians went 70
Lincoln, Bryan said he was opposed 70
the Presidents idea and sympathizsd
with the negro soldiers Are you men
OF Georgia and Of the South going 20
support such man, and give him your
state because lie IS a Democrat
THIS was greeted with Kisses for
Bryan and cries OF Shame and
Never"
The notification speech by Judge :.
" Forrest. OF Albany. y. Y, was brief
and 10 the point. IN accepting. Mr..
Watson scored the plUtOcracy Of the
United States. comparing Il with that
Of ancient Rome. he declared that
private fortunes in America today were
greater than the wealth OF the Roman
empire He paid due attention to the
Big stick" asking IN z burst Of e.
1 oouence. Where IS the busted trustZ-'
M Watson laid the panic Of 1888 az
/ the door Of the Democratic President.
and that OF 1907. 10 the door Of our
! present Republican President In both
I instances he characterized the bond is
/ sue Illegal. and said that Carlisle and
! Cortely0u should have been impeached-
If ever 0y any chance I am Prsst-
/ dent" he said 4 promise you one
/ thing These corporation henchmen, act
I ing as Federal judges, are going 10
/ get such q call down as viii make them
glad TO scur-y back 20 their constitu-
1 tional sphere"