davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

IOiil lHt ct louiS INSPuDiiS'
 K HUGH of the comment on Porfiirio MI Diaz which is appearing in Amer ican newspapers indicates that the commentators need to take a snort course in the clements of politics.
 We have no objection to anybody's say ing that Don Porfrio was rough old party with executive ability of the first order. But what amazes us is failure on the part of Americans of voting age to perceive that the very beginning or statesmanship Is the recognition or the fact that government Is a continuous per formance. No matter what rulers per sonal gifts may be, if his plan of gov ernment is such that when he dies It IS left bankrupt, he is not statesman at all but only an unlucky accident for his country. Whatever Diaz was, the very first elements of statesmanship were left out of him.
 This Is not matter for argument. For statesmanship persupposes a state-and this is the very thing that there wasn't a trace of, when the long. long years came to an end in which Diazs rule was without limit, from the Rio Grande to Yu-
 
 catan.
 The history of government shows that the principle of continuity in the life of state can only be secured by the ascen- dency of one of three things-an army, a caste or an idea The Roman empire in the days of the ascendancy of the pre- torian guard is an example of the hrst; the Inca state of Peru illustrates the sec ond; while our own country is an illus tration of the third. The matter may be put very simply. When a given ruler dies something must live on. In Rome 1t was the army in Peru, as in Bourbon France. it was the nobility: with us, as
 in modern France, it Is an idea An cient history abounds in examples of rulers who have seized supreme author
 ty and ruled for the sheer lust of power, with never thought of the years that should come when they were dead. That kind of thing has been out of fashion for dozen centuries in continents that once bowed to an Alexander, Tanner laine or an Attila- But the drama has been re-enacted within the present gen. eration under our very eyes in Mexico.
 The measure of Diaz is the Mexico he left behind when he stepped out-on invi- tatione of the weak visionary, Francisco Madero. That was a Mexico as helpless before the windiest braggart or the yer jest robber as the sheep before the wolf.
 We have heard much talk of the im- possibility of governing Mexico democrat ically. We are not discussing that. We are discussing the utter failure of Por- firio Diaz a statesman. We are not charging him with having invoked the wrong ideal of statesmanship; we are commenting on his total failure to in- yoke any ideal of statesmanship at all -autocratic or democratic, good. bad or indifferent. He let the army degenerate into an innocuous rabble. He let the strong men get so interested in their own enrichment in lands and money that all concern for public affairs died out of their breasts. He let the common people go on in the abysmal ignorance in which
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
The National Game

Baseball may become one of the foremost instruments in the hands of reformers, if the experience of New ton, N. J., officers can be taken as an Index.
 A few days ago local team played the New York Yankees in Newton and the whole town attended the game. Stores closed, shops shut down, housewives deserted their ironing boards-and all became fans.
 Albert Lyons, deputy sheriff, watched the crowds file past the jail, bound for the park, and he longed to join them. Occasionally he cast pitying glances as the eighteen prisoners he was guarding, for they too were pro- hibited from the afternoons enjoy ment. Then, seized with bright idea, he explained:
 Come on, boys, we're off to the game-this treat is on the county.'
 And so, jailer and jailed" trailed down to front seats in the grand stand The game was close one and the home team won. "Al" Lyons, the deputy sheriff, had yelled himself hoarse. As the fans surged from the grandstand, intent on escorting the victorious team in triumphal process sion, Lyons was in the crowd, having utterly forgotten and abandoned his eighteen charges.
 The erstwhile prisoners stood around until the grandstand cleared, waiting for their jailer-finally they started out alone for the jail. Along the way, it is reported, they picked up half a dozen tramps, enticing them with stories of the game, and the advan- tages of jail life in Newton.
 Arriving at the jail they found it locked So, while messenger was dis patched to hunt up "Al" they sat around and discussed the game. Not one attempted escape-the only mur- muring was lest supper should be late.
 If this. incident be fair test, it would seem to indicate that ball game has remarkable influence in reforming criminals and more ire quent use should be made of it.
 However, the question naturally presents itself-what would have hap pened in Newton if the nome team" had not won?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
DIAZ NEVER A STATESMAN

he found them, as unable to help them selves as anybody else was to help them. He did this simply because he was a stranger to the most elementary con- captions of statesmanship.
 For-we repeat 1.-the very first concern of constructive statesman is to shape a government that will keep things going. and do this through times that produce men of only average ability. Look at the presidency of the United States With Andrew Jackson. the line of strong pres- idents came to an end until Lincoln ap- peared. and of the men between him and Wilson, only Cleveland and Roosevelt rose above the level of mediocrity. Our government will run in ordinary hands. And wherever you have state that lives on. it is founded on something, be it mili- tary strength or caste ascendency or pop and keep on operating whether there is . superman at the helm or not.
 A good many kindly people are saying that what Mexico needs Is another Diaz. This is as far removed from the truth as possible. What Mexico needs is a man with grain of statesmanship sense, man who will know how to appeal to that thing in the Mexican mind-whatever it is-that has in 1t the promise of social control. Mexico needs a ruler who will foster some strength somewhere, and not be so far intoxicated with the fact that his word is law that he will see army, aristocracy and commonalty involved in the weltering chaos of a common help- rr-t>- the Diaz regime found Mexico with strength enough to do just one thing to kick him out. Having done that. the country polically speaking, had exhaust ed itself and it has remained exhausted ever since.
 The excellence of Diaz's ideas about trade and irrigation and mining and parks and parkways is totally irrelevant to tho subject of the success or failure of his life. Beneath all other socialt needs is the need of continuity of that kgoverning power under which alone trade and in dustry and agriculture and social and family life may continue to exist. When Diaz came to power the supreme need of Mexico was not the need of canals or railroads or mines; it wasfthe need of government. To him was given the su- preme opportunity that came, to Bolivar in South America, and to Washington and Jefferson in North America-the op- portunity to create a state Long years passed, years of fitness of3power and ab- sence of opportunity. ButaDiaz never set his hand to what should, shave been tho supreme business of his life.
 We remark, in passng.1 that all talk of the fitness or unf1tness of ithe Mexicans to be citizens of this or that kind of state is blithering irrelevancy. No serious att tempt to create a state hss yet been made in Mexico along any~4inel whatsoever. and only experiment will demonstrate what the possibilities are. And the thing to start with. in the new world, is the ideal of Washington and Bolivar of Jefferson and O'Higgins. of Lincoln and Estrada Palma.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Two Fighters at Odds

A mild sensation was created re- gently when Gen. Nelson A. Miles re- fused to sit on the same platform with John L. Sullivan at prohibition con- vention in the east. Naturally, when one distinguished fighter disparages another of almost equal distinction the friends of both are grieved. Gen. eral Miles has a record as a soldier that comments him to all fighting Americans, while General Sullivan has done more than his share to up- hold the nations honor in the prize ring. In their later years, when each has retired with his laurels, it is to fbe regretted that hard feeling has been engendered between them. Gen eral Miles, having been apparently un- wise in snubbing General Sullivan, it was hoped that a suitable apology would be forthcoming, but later de- velopments seem to have made that at least remote contingency.
 Piqued by the treatment he re- ceived, General Sullivan wired as fol- lows:
 "I have no desire to address the con- vention, where bigotry and narrow mindedness hold sway with a pretense of doing good, and which is presided over by an arrogant, prejudiced, self centered, strutting old peacock now in Ais dotage. I have never been jealous
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
ALABAMA PRESS

Columbiana Peoples Advocate: The farmers in this section should take more interest in raising live stock, as there is money to be made in raising stock
 Oneonta Southern Democrat: We haven't heard of any corn being shipped to Blount county this year. but there are thousands of bushels of home grown corn now for sale, and therel1 be more next year.
 Talladega Daily Home: Dallas county has dipped more than 5000 head of cat tie in 167 vats in the county.
 Ozark Southern Star: We cannot too strongly urge our people to grow food crops, because of the approach of the pest If we do not handle so much money we can grow plenty to live oil.
 Gadsden Evening Journal: Alabama farmers are living at home and trading at home more and more this year.
 Centerville Press: The farmer with rlenty of corn is going to be fortunate this year. There is no telling what the boil weevil is going to amount to.
 Clanton Press The splendid rains that have fallen during the past week have pade farmers rejoice. All crops in this section are looking remarkably well, corn especially.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
OLD FIELD BLACKBERRIES

From the Nashville Tennessean.
 Just at this season of the year, the wild blackberry is very important some- what in rural economy. In every farm house blackberries are being canned and made into jam against the winter days when the problem of varying a meat and bread diet grows difficult Along the gully banks of the old fields little negroes with buckets and baskets are picking berries and selling them to the white folks. For blackberry is always common property no matter on whose land it grows. Com monly a woman buys blackberries that have grown in her own fields And thus the blackberry crop is a source of en- ployment and revenue for a class of peo- pie who ordinarily do not have enough of either
 But the blackberry crop as a money- getter is not the exclusive property of the feminine and juvenile darkey. few days ago we rode out a country road with 2o-year-old boy whose father owns a s20,000 farm. We tried to talk to him of some of the glories of farm life. Unlike the average country boy, he had felt them and loved them. But his face cloud ed and he grew confidential. "Td lots rather be on the farm than anywhere else'' he said, but I don't think my daddy treats me right. He never lets me have any money and I'm thinking about coming to town and getting a job know l can't get a job that I can save any money out of, but I can get paid every week, and when there's an ice cream supper or something, I'll have a little money. so I can go There's one In our neighborhood tonight, and I picked some hlackberries when it was too wet to blow, and I've got some money now. See these buckets?" There they were four two-gallon tin buckets. At 20 cents gallon, that would be s1 eO-enough for a country boy at an ice cream festival.
 But the real greatness of a blackberry is in the eating it fresh from the bush. It does not need sugar and cream. It does not need anything but a thumb and finger and a mouth. The mushy ones that grow big in the shade may be improved by doctoring. but the firm ones of mod crate size that grows in the open fields are not suspectible of improvement by human art. We knew a man. raised in the country in middle Tennessee who came back from Oklahoma in his old age just to fill himself once more with black berries as they grow. Nobody who knows what real blackberries are would think him foolish. man might come back from paradise for a feast like that
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

individual worker, and 1t also reduces op- erating expenses to some extent as 1t is of course permissible to cut off all eiec- tric current for lighting and other inci- dentals during the hours in which an en- establishment is closed. And as mat ter of fact. the same amount of business is transacted in less time. All that is needed to bring about a similar system in Birmingham, I imagine, is thorough understanding and organization among the merchants and such feeling of CO., operation among merchants doing busi- ness here would also prove beneficial in ether ways as we'll"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Tnke a Trip to the Lock

Everybody in Birmingham should take trip to Lock IT," said ". J. Blackburn. for, in addition to the pleasure derived from delightful ride up a magnificent river. the trip pos sesses an educational value
 Lock IT has brought a great big river practically to Birmingham and it's commercial value is untold. IL is a privilege for the dwellers of an in- land town to be able to take an ex- cursion on a river and the govern ment has made such a trip possible. Half dozen splendid river boats ply the waters of the Warrior and all are elegantly equipped.
 The magnitude of the work done by the government must be seen to be fully appreciated and no one will ever regret witnessing this most important development that means so much to the material advancement of the Bir mingham district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Returns from Georgia

Much enthusiasm has been aroused over the project to have a perfect high way between Birmingham and Rome. Ga.," said John w. ONeill, who was in the party of automobilists who attended the banquet at Rome on the Fourth of July Prom Rome l proceeded to At lanta and spent day in that city, and was thus afforded an opportunity of see | ing the good work done on the roads in our sister state.
 | "Georgia's s 1000 convicts are all used in I road construction and maintenance, and as a result of that system--a system we l hope to have soon in Alabama-Georgia has a more extensive mileage of inn proved highways than any other southern state. The road between Rome and At | lanta is kept in splendid condition; and as for the roads around Atlanta in every direction, they are as hard and smooth as 1 city boulevards
 ! Between Birmingham and Rome the highway varies in condition. The Jeff ferson county section has been improved according to the best standards. From this I city to the county line the road will compare with the best to be found any where. But in St. Clair county, in a part of Etowah and part of Cherokee, the roadway is unimproved. On either side of Gadsden for a few miles the road
 is all that could be desired, but further away from that city the road Is rough. The authorities of Etowah county have walked up to the importance of good roads and have planned to do much work on the Rirmingham- Rome route. I believe St.
 Clair and Cherogee will soon be ready to do their part in filling up the bad | stretches
 | Mir O'Nell said that while he saw many For Rent signs in Atlanta, business in
 that city was picking up. He said the
 small industries there seemed to be busy and operating up to normal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
Shopping Conditions

My attention has of late been called to the shopping situation in Birmingham" remarked Judge Alvin M. Douglass. and note that the merchants here usually have good business at all seasons of the year.
 There was of course lu1l back in the fall and early winter. when the cotton sit- uation affected the entire south; but mat ters now, believe. have become almost normal again. Employees in the stores are kept busy at the rush hours
 "In Atlanta, New Orleans and Nash vile there exists an understanding or agreement among merchants which puts in effect system for closing at early hours Saturday afternoon during June, July and August, and at reasonable hours during other months. When every one closes no ones trade is injured. and en- ployes enjoy more time of recreation. This
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Where Businers nooms

There has been a marked improvement In business throughout all sections of the country during the past few months, and some cities that I have visited recently are enjoying high record prosperity said Il. " Daniels of New York
 Among the cities that are booming are Pittsburg, Cleveland, DetroN. Minneapolis, st. Paul, Des Moines and Kansas City. Detroit is growing at a very rapid rate. Even last fall when depression was wide 'y and actually felt large building opera uons continued in Detroit and general trade was nornnal''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
MORE FOLLY.

 How hard we try to make jest Of Father Timei Some danes there are who cannot rest When past their prime, But hasten to the beauty shop, Brave jeer and scoff Lured by the hope that they may lop Bout 10 years off. Next comes the ancient beau who should Have better sense; Thinks we believe-as if we eouid!- His fond pretense That sixty years have left him spry As any youth; But stiffness and a poor hair dye Reveal the truth.
 WORTH LISTENING TO. "Those two men over there are having a warm argument. It must be about the war"
 T think not. They are probably dis cussing a subject they know something about"
 "why so?'
 Half a dozen pedestrians and the po- liceman on this beat seem interested in what they are saying
 NO SPEED MARVEL. 'Is your hired man about tn place, Ezry?'
 NO. I sent him to tn cross roads to fetch tn mail"
 'I see a cloud O dust down tn road. Mebby that's him comin' now" "Tain't likely. I don't 'spose he ever moved fast enough in his hull life to raise a cloud O dust
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
THE SONG OF DAVID

Ana the meal, the rich dates yellowod
 over with enld dust divine, And the locust flesh steeped in the bitch.
 er the full drausht of wine, And the sleep fin the dried river channel
 where bunrushes tell Tnat the water was wont to so warb.
 ling so shftly and well. How the good is mans life. the mere Nv.
 ing! how at to employ All the hearV and the soul and thu .ensse
 forevsrl in joy! .ses',.'.'"'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
PROFESSIONAL RETICENCE

From the Washington Star.
 Did that man quote you correctly in that interview"
 T can't tell.'' replied Senator Sorghum Don't you know?'
 Yes. I know. But can't tell until have learned how my constituents like the article"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

By Robert Browning. Oh, our manhood's prime vigor! No spirit
 feels waste, Not a muscle is stopped in its playing
 nor sinew unbraced. Oh. the wild joys of living! the lespins
 from rock up to rock, The strong rending of boughs from the
 fire tree, the cool silver shock of the plunge in a pools living water,
 the hunt of the bear, And the sultriness showing . Hon is
 ecuched in hls slair. ,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
DIsCOURAGING

From the Beaumont Enterprise.
 The latest rumor is to the effect that Spain will probably enter the big war. It is hardly probable that England will encourage any fresh allies. Every time a new nation comes into the fight it opens hostilities by asking Great Britain for a big war loan. Sooner or later the English people are going to tire of paying oui s5,o00ooe sl.,. GOO per day for something they may
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
prc,N,rsc THE DAY-Let noth-

BEGINNING THE DAY-Let noth- ing interrupt my communion with Thee, my father God. May l do Thy will and see Thy face. May I value the sense of Thy presence more than all the enticements of sin. May I walk with Thee and talk with Thee today, and may everything I do be laid before Thine eye. In Christ's name. Amen.-H. Nj. F..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
SOME DAY.

Iris hard to keep on hoping
 When nothing goes alright. But still through darkness groplng We'll some day win the light!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
SUBJECT FOR SANITY COMMISSION From the Houston Post


 When a mans home burns down and he collects $25O0 insurance and invests S2a0o of 1t in an automobile and goes to board ing, we think the membership of the Pull dnhead club ought to assemble and pre- pare to receive 2 new application for membership.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
WILLING TO oBLIGE.

Nora said the mistress to the new servant, i've always want our meals promptly on the hour"
 'Yis, mum. An if I miss tn first hour shall I wait for tn next?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Even Madam Grundy laughs at the prudes who build fence on a public bath ing beach to separate the sexes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

China is making a desperate effort to save her face, Japan having put her nose sadly out of joint.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

The Liberty bell is the cause of much spread gle' oratory as it wends it's way westward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Reduced to the last analysis, Great Brit ain was not ready for war and has been unable to get ready
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

The Mexican generals are learning few lessons from Europe and occasionally re- treat for ''strategical purposes"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

For the sake of appearances, if nothing more, King George should be given some sort of high sounding war job.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

For some reason or other, the clarion voice of Robert LaFollette is no longer heard throughout the land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
SAFETYyrIRsT

From the Ell Paso Times
 It is better to wait at railway cross- ing than at doctors office is the ad- monition given to motorists by an eastern railway.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

An ging sign was the large num- brated the Fourth with becoming ardor
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

International courtesy is a curious thing in war time. An apology merely smooths the way for a repetition of the offense.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Warsaw is so well fortified that it will be hard nut for the Krupps to crack.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Barbed wire manufacturers are keep ing quiet, but they must sell great deal of their product to European bellgerents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10
HARD TO EXPLAIN.

Here's an interesting case. A married woman with black hair comes home from little trip and finds bronze hairpins on her dressing table,"
 Where was hubby about that timer" From all reports he was up in the air.
 A PRACTICAL THOUGHT. DO you know" said the amateur as- tronomer, that 1t takes the light of cer- tain stars millions of years to reach the earth?"
 Why, mo-" answered the ordinary cit- izen "I hadn't heard of that, but since you mention it. I'm glad we have an arc light on our corner"
 A TEST CASE.
 T don't know whether my pretty neigh bor takes me seriously or not" You can easily find out.''
 How"
 Pretend you have found another pretty neghbor in the same block"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

The war correspondent who devotes two columns to telling how he was arrested has an exaggerated idea of his own im- portance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Things have come to such a pass that even the vice president Is considered i'm portant enough to be threatened by cranks.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

The United States boasts healthy trade balance, but as matter of fact it isn't at all healthy, being the direct result of a world disease.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-10

Millions of lives have been sacrificed in the European war zone and little has been accomplished. The folly of the struggle becomes more apparent every day.