davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1909-05-02
(By A. j. Clausen.)


Since the beginning of my work as Ma
tonal Organizer for the Philosophical Bible
Glass, l have received letters from num-
Der of clergymen who have turned from
the disgraceful business of living by
spreading falsehood and fraud. We need
their labor and they need our sympathy
and respect, and we are abundantly able
TO render both, as we outnumber all re-
ligious, superstitious sects in the United
States. But owing to Indifference for or
ganization, we are no better to the honest
clergymen than a desert would be to him.
This is wrong, and a strong reason for
clergymen to remain in their churches
and spread superstition and falsehood,
rather than starve for being honest and
telling the truth TO the people, 1t is to
the scholarly clergy we are most indebted
for much hard work in clearing up the root
and foundation of religious mystification.
If we would do our duty as faithfully as
do the ignorant and superstitious people,
as they see it, clerical frauds would soon
come to an end. Just think how many
churches there are with but a few families
to keep each of them going, while Free
thinkers in many places outnumber the
church people ten to one; and these very
Freethinkers are held up to help support
Lnese institutions of superstitions, with
which they do not sympathize in the least.
If the amount of money paid into the
churches by Freethinkers was used to pay
for the services of man who would teach
their own doctrines, this country would
look different from what it does now and
our Republic would not be threatened with
displacement for a monarchy, as it is
now, in the interest of rich plutocrats and
corrupt clergy
We must wake up and organize. Ihe
plutes are determined to displace our Re-
public for monarchy and to suppress
education to keep the people in ignorance
in order to maintain their power as lords
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1909-05-02
Ex.CLERGYMEN'S CORRESPONDENCE
BUREAU.

Ex-cergymen desiring to correspond with
Liberal societies contemplating to engage
local lecturer, can notify this Bureau free
of charge
Liberal societies desiring to correspond
with Liberal lecturers with view to Sc
cure one to serve as a local lecturer, can
notify this Bureau free of charge.
Always enclose self-addressed and
stamped envelope for reply.
Prof A. j. CLAUSEN, Phi. d. NJ d..
st. Ansgar, Iowa.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1909-05-02

experimenting their execution being longer incumbent
upon the scions of the ruling families Changing
does alter factsrepubican governments often
just expensive, and even more The unwiedy
chinery of civil government the of justice, etc.
synonymous with great loss of labor and though govern
be dispensed with, it might be much reduced
and smpfed, if people would learn better understand
and observe the laws of society," instead of following i'm
pcitly their short-sighted egoism
Go be continued.
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1909-05-02

reason and truth, to learn from the pen
of our Editor, and the proceedings of his
debate at Canal Dover, Ohio, between
himself and the Rev. l.. S. Keyser; spec
tally so that part where the Rev. Doctor
lost his temper and was Kissed by the
audience. But what a contrast there must
have been between those debaters,-one
putting truth and reason forward in regard
to Lincoln's Freethought views, and being
Kissed by the audience; he coming back
with proof to substantiate his assertions,
and challenged a repetition,-while the
Rev. Doctor acknowledged his error, and
admitting he had done wrong.
Also, note the marked contrast in the
preparation of that debate The Free
thought advocate simply bringing his intel
ligent, individualist views forward, that
was based on natures laws, mans brain
and handiwork; while the orthodox shep.
herds preparations consisted in giving a
months revival drunk from the dregs of
supersttiOn) to their 1ocks for the purpose
OF blind-folding the mental faculties of
any and all, to keep them from discovering
the true merits in the remarks of the advo-
cate of Freethought
1t does not seem possible that any part
of an audience that processes" to be ''in-
tellgent" would allow their mental facul-
ties to become so blunted as to blind them
to the absurdities and contradictions that
ancient traditions Qgnorance) impose on
their minds. Many of them seem unable
to discover the gross contrast between the
so-called holy history on the one hand, and
plant life and many useful and beautiful
things for human needs, which many of
them are engaged in training, Jointly with
the forces and laws of nature, on the other
hand; and they seem almost unable to
discover or realize the marked contrast
between the professed piety and goodnes.
of orthodox priesthood pretensions, and
their known acts of past and present times
And last, what marked contrast be-
tween that class of people who spend one
day in seven in prayers and savish suppl
cations to an unknown being, while during
the other six days they are in numerous
ways welding their schemes on any and
Blue-grass blade. [volume] (Lexington, Ky.) 188?-19??, 1909-05-02
REFLECTIONS ON THE DEBATE.

Blade Writer Gives Expression of His
Opinion Concerning the Journey
and Its Results.
(By Warren S. Dean)
1t was gratifying to me as lover of
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-05-22

may be broker now, but he viii be
broke in two MONTHS" predicted an
other.
That was nearly two years ago, but
instead Of his going BROKE" as some
calamity prophets predicted, his sue
cess has been most remarkable.
Though he wishes it distinctly known
that he is Negro, he has many more
clients of the white race than he has
Of his own race. And that is saying a
great deal, for he has among his clients
some Of the leading men of the race.
MIR. Taylor is nothing if not original.
Nothing to him seems to be so dis
tasteful as to follow In beaten paths.
"Blaze your own way" he cries. And
he straightway proceeds to "blaze" his
way by shedding a flood Of light on
the ways and doings of Wall street.
'Let the people know what Wall
street is; tell them how to select the
good and how to shun the bad-in fine,
be frank with them. and the battle is
won," is his straightforward program.
To accomplish this mission he pub
fishes monthly bright and informing
little paper known as the Wall Street
Guide, which Is making for itself a
unique place among the many Wall
street publications. 1t ought to 60
into 100000 Negro homes each month,
for, If so, not only would it safeguard
those who are inclined to invest their
hard earned savings against the many
unprincipled men who roam at large
selling wildcat" stock, but 1t would
show them how to invest safely and
profitably.
Every member Of the race should be
proud of Mr.. Taylor and thousands
should read monthly the Wall Street
Guide.
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-05-22
ODD FELLOWS ANNIVERSARY.
The Fraternity In Brooklyn Unitss In
Sixty sixth Annual Sermon.

The most important event in secret
societies in Brooklyn recently was the
celebration of the sixty-sixth anniver-
sary and thanksgiving services by the
Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.
The auditorium of the First A. NJ. E.
Zion church, where the services were
held, was filed beyond its seating ca
pacity with members Of the fraternity,
who were eager to hear the Rev.
Frederick NJ Jacobs preach the thanks
giving sermon.
The lodges present in body wear.
ing the regalia Of the order were:
Mount Zion lodge, No. 1910; Alpha,
No. 1881; Morning Star, No. 1470,
and Cherubim lodge. There were
present also Queen Esther, Olga and
Victoria households Of Ruth and the
juveniles. Past Noble Father ]. 81.
Harvey was chairman of the day, and
Past Grand Master Edward Henry
was master Of ceremonies. Past
Grand Master Charles 8. Lewis and
Past Noble Father G. L. Lane also
took leading parts in the ceremonies.
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-05-22
P.opI. Rally to Aid Of Y. N. c. A.

In the recent financial campaign
which was conducted by the Young
Mems Christian association at Chat
tanooga, Tenn, under the leadership
Of Secretary Johnson $500 was raised
in six days. $64625 in cash and the re-
mainder in subscriptions. The money
was raised entirely among the colored
people of the city, who came willingly
to the rescue Of the Y. NJ. @. A. and
helped 1t out Of debt.
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-05-22
Mis-. Grant Wins Scholarship.

mISS 0raR WIhS ochoIaFshIps
We note with pleasure that Miss
Efie E. Grant, the popular young So
pranO singer Of New Haven, Conn,
has by persistence won postgraduate
scholarship at Yale Conservatory Of
Music.
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-05-22
BUSY SCHOOL AT CALHOUN.
Graduates and Students Of School
Helping to Better Conditions.


Helping to Better Conditions.
The report of the industrial school
for our people at Calhoun, Ca, recent
ly issued, is highly encouraging. The
report says in part:
The central school has had 270 pu-
pills, and a very strong staff of trained
teachers and workers have been carry
ing on the academic and Industrial de-
partments.
In spite Of three successive seasons
Of short cotton in Lowndes county,
CalhOun's farmers have good courage,
and the plows Of its central neighbor-
hood are now moving for a new crop.
The gain in food raising makes the
economic promise Of the situation This
is the crucial thing in southern farm
ing. Calhoun's farmers have paid
some $4,000 for their land, FIVE square
miles Of plantation country divided into
fifty acre farms, SO they have no rent
to pay, but they are learning that with
landowning must go food raising If an
important improvement like house is
to be paid for. This is the struggle
which Is now on, the attempt to pay
for farmhouses costing from S400 to
500, and since the house building era
set in three years ago the colored peo-
pie have had the wilderness road to
travel, made so by three successive
short crops.
Calhoun has extended its neighbOr-
hood work this year, starting two
new neighborhood schools, which are
taught by its graduates. One of these
schools Is at Sandy Ridge, six miles
to the southeast, and the other at Lee
Place, five miles to the north. The
schoolhouses were put up In co-Opera-
ton with the Jeans fund for rural
schools, which furnished one-half the
money. The Lee Place schoolhouse
was built by Calhoun graduates, and
both schoOlhouses were furnished with
substantial benches and convenient
desks by Calhoun's carpentry classes
The school at Sandy Ridge has forty
acre farm about it. This farm will be
worked by the teachers. 1t will also
help in giving agricultural instruction
and training to the pupils. The i'm
portant idea is now spreading in the
south that the country district school
should have small farm attached to
1t to help support it and to give prac-
tical training in farming.
As the money appropriated to the
colored school population of 1900 in
Lowndes county amounted, according
to the county superintendent report,
to only 67 cents per capita In 1905, it
is fortunate that Calhoun can COOP
crate with the public school system in
the county, encourage the better teach
ers by holding institutes and send out
graduates and ex-students to teach
and lead the Negroes to tax themselves
increasingly for better schools. Finan-
cially Calhoun has suffered with other
schools In the hard times. The school
closed without debt, however, last
year and is earnestly hoping to finish
this Its seventeenth year on May 81
without the handicap and discourage
ment of deficit
A sunday scn00l teacner t0ld MS pu-
pills at the end Of his lesson that he
would give them a summary. A little
boy asked:
"What is summary, please"
"A summary is an abbreviated synop-
Franklin's paper the statesman., 1909-05-22
HELP us BE PROMPT.

Many occurring poohes
requiring mailing sIeys paper
Saturday. notify dsEy only
Msnday
Ing the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Custom and Speculation.

"Speculators for the rise in grain are complaining that demagogic influences are at work to nf1ame public opinion against the trade by reason of the actual or proposed advance in the price of bread" says writer in the Wall Street Journal. Any increase in the price of bread Is admitted to work hardship upon people of small incomes generally, and especial ly wage-earners. But 1t is true that no such outcry is made when the price of milk is advanced, probably because the reasons are more nearly self-advanced. Why, therefore, it is asked by the bull element in the grain market, should the publh he infiamed against the necessity for paying higher prices for bread?
 There is some right and some wrong in the position taken by this branch of the speculative market. If the price of bread is due to an actual shortage in wheat supply, extending over a considerable period between this and the next har- vest, then there Is a sound commercial reason for those who have wheat to hold it at higher price. The question of how high that price may be, is matter which will have to be fought out between the people who have and the people who have not-between the trade and the miller. If the price of flour Is raised to cover increased costs, the baker may be justified in raising the price of bread, and the consumer can have little reason to com plain.
 "The wrong in the speculative position lies rather in the effect upon industry of the sudden and irregular advance'in val ues in the first place. and upon custom ary prices in the second. Sudden ad- vances or declines in wheat are an in- jury to the milling industry. A new ele- ment of risk Is injected and the cost of nroduction is thus enhanced"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
lynch Law At parkWnod

In all the years that have elapsed since the attempted lynching of Hawes, in 1888, only two men have been lynched in Jefferson county-a negro at Brighton, during the coal miners strike, and the lynching of a negro near Bessemer on last Sunday night for the commission of a dastard- ly crime.
 The negro, who was lynched at Hardwood, near Bessemer, was clearly guilty. There was no lack of evidence, and the negro would have been surely convicted and as surely hanged. The action of the citizens of Elvira and Hardwood was, therefore, unreason- able. When conviction and punishment can clearly be foreseen, mob action is deprived of all excuse. It is unjusti- fable in any case, and where a crim- 1nal has really no chance to escape conviction and hanging, it manifests a desire for a frolic, more than any desire to lessen crime.
 The action at Parkwood has injured the county's record without in any wise advancing the welfare of the con- munity. However we'll the men living in Hardwood and Elyira, who joined the mob, meant they made a serious mistake when they hung man who was marching straight to the gallows, and whose trial and execution would have been far more impressive than was the action of the mob.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
A NOTED coLoRED EDUCATOR

From the Washington Herald
 The death of Prof. William H. Councill at his home in Huntsville, Ala, marks the passing of one of the most prominent colored educators in the south, and closes the career of the most universally popu- lar colored citizen of note in the southern states
 Professor Councl was native of North Carolina-born slave in 1S4S. He educated himself at Stevenson, Ala, near his adopted home, which became in after years the scene of his future usefulness to his race. After a brief political ca- reer in Alabama, during the reconstruc- ton period, Councill became a teacher and esta ablished the Agricultural and Mechan- ical College for Colored People in Alabama and the south. In 1875 he became its pres ident and remained at its head until his death a few days ago. Professor Coun- Gill was we'll known in Washington and throughout the states He often came to the capital in the interest of national aid for the Alabama schools.
 Gen. Joe Wheeler, U. S. A., once said; "I regard Professor Councill the best colored educator in the south, and the first of the colored race in the United States"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Cleanliness of Streets.

If were called upon to name the most impressive feature of Birmingham as the average visitor to the city sees it, would call attention to the cleanliness of the streets,' said visitor to the city yes- terday
 "I am from the north, and am unfortu- nate enough to be able to visit Brming- ham but once in every four or five years. Of course, on every visit I pay the city I am impressed with it's growth, but the cleanliness of the streets Is most striking.
 q come from a city where, to great extent, the streets are swept by hand. This method of cleaning the streets is necessarily somewhat slow. Last night, however, I was attracted by the street sweepers on Third avenue The great re- volving brooms were drawn up and down the street several times, and the job was done within few minutes.
 Birmingham is very fortunate in that the city has thoroughly adequate street gang. While I am not favorably impress ed with the matter of working the city prisoners on the streets the practice seems to be thoroughly satisfactory as far as results go. The cleanliness of the streets is truly remarkable, and is very noticeable matter to one who comes from city where dirty highways are tol- erated."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Rocks In the Taft Pathway

There are 27 millionaires and multi Snillionaires in the Senate-27 out of 96, or nearly one-third of the Sen ate. The passage of an income tax law in such a body is doubtful, espe- cialIy since President Taft has joined the Aldrfchites in opposition to it.
 Not only is the President lending his influence to the defeat of an in- come tax provision, but he is sup porting the Aldrich tariff by asking for quick action on the part of Con- Tress. In other words, he stands now for revision upward, whereas, as a candidate, he stood for revision down. ward. He now opposes an income tax. whereas he urged in his accept nnce speech tax of that nature as be- nug both feasible and constitutional.
 The present pace of imports is due to desire to anticipate the new tar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Gen, ManIey A, Raney,

''The visit of Gen. Manley A. Raney the supreme commander of the Patriarchs Militant, the uniform branch of the In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows, to the Birmingham district will be quite an event in Odd Fellowship circles" said a mem Der of the order. "He is without ques- tion one of the most entertaining speak CTS of which the order boasts and also one of the best informed.
 Not only will the branch of the order of which General Raney is the head receive an impetus by his visit but he rarerly fails to create enthusiasm in the other branches wherever he goes. The conferring of the order of chivalry by General Raney at the Maccabees hall on Tuesday night, to which the general pub lie Is invited is a most interesting cere- mony and will well repay the time given to witness this unusual and most impress sive rite. He will be welcomed and en- tertained by committee of prominent Odd Fellows, and will visit the points of interest in the district.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
Dry Baseball Grounds.

"I would like to offer a reasonable sug- gestion to the Birmingham Baseball as- sociation." said 8 mar, last night. Tt is that the management secure a gasoline burner, such as is used by paving con- tractors in the burning of asphalt or bitulithic pavement that 1t Is desired to remove, and use 1t for the drying out of the space around the bases and the pitchers box and the running path be- tween the bases
 "It is my understanding that such a burner would not cost over s75 or s100 at the most, while the cost of the gasoline used in the drying out of the ground each time would amount to only few cents. It would only take an hour or two to dry out the ground, which would make it possible to play under almost any circumstances except when the rain was falling at the time set for play to be called. I believe that an investiga- tion on the part of the baseball associa- ton officials would result in them seeing the benefit to be derived from the pur- chase of such an outfit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
sHAKEsPEARE,s PoIsoNs.

From the London Globe.
 It is one of the penalties of Shakes peare's position as a great poet that his words are taken seriously. learned doctor in foreign scientific review has been holding an inquisition into the poisons mentioned by him. He points out that the Juice of cursed hebenon," which Claudius is said to have poured into the ear of Hamlet's father, is incapable of piercing the tympanum of the ear, and, therefore, could not have penetrated the body and poisoned the blood as the Ghost alleges. Again, the narcotic which Friar Laurence administers to Juliet was prob- ably either datura stramonium or man. dragora root. The first is used by the convicts in New Caledonia when they wish to rob their companions. but it's eff fects do not last 42 hours, nor Anything like that time. A scientist who experi- mented on himself with mandragora found that intense sickness is caused on waking, and this did not happen to Juliet As for the poison which was given to Romeo, 1t was probably aconite, or one of those mixed poisons of the Borgias which seem to have been composed of vegetable alkaloids and ptomaine, since it was so remarkably rapid in It's effects. But that is the fault of too serious people; they will take everything seriously. Shakes peare probably knew nothing at all of poisons or of narcotics. He was a poet and not a chemist, and might, therefore, be allowed the usual poetic license
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
THE WORLDS FAvoRlTE DRINKS.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
 Japan-Sake.
 Holland-Gn.
 Russia-Vodka.
 Mexico-Mescal.
 Borneo-Boral, rice beer
 India-Tala, a palm liquor.
 Arabia and Turkey-Coffee.
 Morocco-Mahia, a fig liquor.
 Sumatra-Nera, palm wine.
 China-Mandarin, rice wine.
 England and Scandinavia-Ale.
 South Africa-Pontac, or Cape Wine. Burmah--Shou-chou, a cocoanut liquor
 Germany, Denmark and Belgum-Beer Ethiopa-TuIlah, beer made of barley The Philippines-yino, a cocoanut wine. Solomon Islands-Nehave, a cocoanut liquor. Corea-Cha, drink made of the panlz plant.
 Java-Bram, a beer made from rice and kantang.
 Persia-Nubeez, a wine made of dates and raisins.
 Scotland, Ireland, Canada and Kentucky Whisky Tibet-Chong, a liquor made of wheat, barley and rice. Madag dagascar-Besabesa, a liquor made 1 from sugar cane. 1 Abyssinia-Bouz, beer made from 8 l grain called dagusa. 1 Primitive Africa-Banana beer, fruit liquors, and honey and palm drinks.
 Siam-Baksoum, a beer made of barley l and millet. l Siberla-Quas, a brew made of rye and 1 barley. Italy, France, Greece Spain. Australia, Austria, Portugal, South America and l South Africa-Grape wine.
 The United States-Not yet decided, l but probably water.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
A Noted Leader.

E. O. Excel of Chicago. long famous as leader of gospel meeting singing, who attended the Bible Study rally at the First Baptist church last night. leaves for Montgomery this morning to take part in the state Sunday school conven- ton.
 T was in Birmingham with the late Sam Jones in 1893. and this is my first visit since then" said MT Excel as he sat in the lobby of the Hillman in con- versation with W. J. Hon, friend of many years.
 'I was devoted to Sam Jones and I owe my early success to that great mans influence and encouragement. Since he passed away my work has been chiefly in connection with Sunday school con- ventions. Last week l was in the Sun day school convention al Wheeling, w. Va. the week before in the convention al Waco, Tex. and now 1 am on my way to Montgomery.
 Here in Birmingham the meeting at the First Baptist church was a great success. I was highly gratifed to have the assistance of section of the Br- mingham festival chorus. By the way, better chorus singers are not to be found. They are simply splendid and l feel under great obligations to MT. Grambs and Mrs. Davlds, and the sing CTS who responded to the invitation to help out at the church.
 Mir. Excell said he was most favorably impressed with Birmingham. Tt has gone ahead said he, lat wonderful rate since l was first here and it has a grand future"