The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

Friday afternoon I went up to Capitol park.
 l dare say some of the older citizens remember how the name got on the nerves of the Montgomerians.
 Perhaps they had right to watch with jealous eyes the plot set apart for the capitol by some enthusiastic Pirming- hamers
 Well. it's an old story now and the hopes of Birmingham and the fears of Montgomery have been forgotten.
 I don't know just why I strolled up to the park that heads Twentieth street unless it was touch of spring that made me want to see some growing thing
 Only a few trees were wearing their spring dresses A small peach tree was in blossom and a cherry trees foliage was brilliant enough to start a Japanese festival.
 saw a happy young mother sitting on the grass while a little child played at her feet. In her arms was a smiling babe. Every now and then she kissed it and it cooed back to her She was just slip of a girl, but oh what lovely Madonna.
 There were dozen or more black mann mics with children in their charge. Some of the little ones were expensively dressed, while others were modestly garbed; but they were all having good time while their nurses chatted.
 I saw one lone tramp, perched on 3 bench like wild bird. ready to fly any moment at the sight of an officer
 I had just been down to the Tutwiler. In the parlor sat two handsomely gowned women. Evidently they. too, felt the call of spring, for while I was walking around they came up to the park and sprawled on the grass as if they were hungry to get in close touch with Mother Earth.
 I really think Magnolia park would be a more appropriate name than Capitol park, for the row of magnolias planted around the walk years ago are today probably the largest and finest specimens of any public park in America.
 
 I hope the deserted bandstand will soon be alive with musicians and that the grass and benches will be filled with happy throngs who have come out to en- joy the summer concerts.
 Few people realize just what Capitol park means to those who, during the hot weather. are shut up by day in the board ing houses of the downtown district. It's the hinges of the business section.
 I stood in front of the sitting statue of a woman. On Ire front it bore the name Mary A Cahalan, and the significant word, Teacher On the back was the that it was erected by the people of Birmingham. 1S0S Many of us remember the inspiring presence of Mary Cahalan, whose living monuments are left in the boys and girls whom she taught. z
 I crossed to the monument erected to William Elias B. Davis, surgeon" It brought back vividly to me my old-time friend I was struck with these words carved in stone. He would have been known by the world as & patriot had he not been known as something greater a physician
 Then with uncovered head I lifted up my eyes to. the tall shaft '.To the Con- federate Soldiers and Sailors, erected by Pelham chapter, No. s7, Daughters of the Confederacy."
 I had heard President Roosevelt speak in it's very shadow and heard men who wore the gray cheer him to the echo when he spoke of how southern men had ral- lied to the flag during the spanish-Amer- ican war.
 My blood tingled, for on the recent trip with the cabinet officers I rode by the side of Secretary Lane through the streets of Florence, which were lined with stalwart, vigorous men. It made a great impression on him. Turning to me he said: If their country needs them, these men would fight.' Forgetting his high position, said You bet your life they will" T knew it," he replied.
 left the park refreshed in body and strengthened in my faith In America I had looked into the face of woman who was teacher, into tho face of a man who was a physician, and on a monu- ment erected to brave men by heroic and patriotic women.
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