The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-02
MEN, WOMEN
AND THINGS

mingham 16 years ago to take up again
my life as resident of the Magic City
that I found many changes. The thing
which struck lie most was not the mar
velous Industrial strides, not the great
improvement in streets, stores and
homes; but the influx of new citizens,
In the old days L knew nearly every
man, woman and child, and in spite oil
newness and rawness of the town. it was
a truly splendid lot of men and women
who made up it's citizenship. 1 have
lived in many cities, but in looking back
over them all, L unhesitatingly say that
no finer people evere foregathered to
make community than the ones who
lived here in the eighties.
Sure, ] knew it was a provincial town
that was just beginning to put on city
airs. But in those days we lived to-
gether like happy family, and, by the
way, some of the finest old families in
the state made their homes here in this
wonderful valley. 1 know that on my
return to make it my home some of the
newcomers spoke rather slightingly OF
the "old mossbacks," and it is true that
for awhile an aggressive bunch of out
siders gave the insiders run for their
money ii politics and got into office. but
on the whole they have been able to
hang on right successfully.
;r,c+ off RI
but will set down a few of the families
helping to make Birmingham. There are
the Mudds, the Martins, the Walkers,
the Smiths, the Hagoods, the Eubanlls,
the Hewetts, the Porters, the Wilson's,
the Waldrops, the Hueys, the Earles,
the Graces, the Burgins, the Jordans, the
Hawkins, the Hoods, ETC. Among them
were great lawyers, doctors, bankers,
developers, preachers. I knew many of
them and am pleased to call their sons
and daughters and grandchildren friends.
"I'll never forget a casual remark thai
the late Fob McDavid made to me one
one of tie CID families We were stand
ing on the front porch as the crowd
came in and in it were representatives
of all Of the old-timers. 1t was almost
like a roll CALL Turning to me, he said:
Frank, they fight among themselves,
but whenever trouble comes to any OF
the old breed, they flock together, and
woe be unto the interloper who tries 70
stand in the way of the ambitions OF
one of the tribe" Yes, they were clam
nish, but can you blame them?
But what I began to try to point out
is the fact that only during 1917 did Bir-
swaddling clothes and step forth into her
full stature as a cosmopolitan city. 1t is
with Joy tinged with sadness that /
noted the change, for I find that as one
grows older he loves the old thingse and
1 couldn't but help feeling a twinge
when I realized that at last the old set
tiers had been permanently ousted from
control. ] am joyed, however, that for
years to come they will still play great
part IN shaping the future growth of the
city.
This war has upset many provincial
towns and made them conscious of the
fact that they were no longer to live iso-
lated lives or be content to remain on a
sidetrack, but that they were in the
strong current and on the main line, and
must hustle or get out of the way OF
those who were speeding up to help the
government overthrow Prussan militar
ism and forever bury German autocracy.
Along with many others we found that
we could no longer think in terms of self
or be contented with a mere local out
look, but must get a vision and think
not merely of Birmingham and Alabama
aid America, but must begin to think
in terms Of humanity
We wonder at the new life in Birming-
ham. We marvel at the new spirit which
makes us dwellers in sure enough
Magic City. We are a bit troubled to
give an intelligent account of the I'M
usual transformation not only in the
old town, but in ourselves. We are all
SoiAoNiOoS tiAAe SohiStitAhS tremendously
important has happened to both, but we
haven't had time to figure it out in an
intelligent and self-satisfying way. l
have taken a number of shots at it, 1
do not know whether I am yet able 70
hit the bullseye, but I am thinking we
have emerged SO quickly from the chrys-
alis state of localism into the glare of
world-consciousnes that we are just the
least bit dazed and blinded, but, believe
me, the prospect is pleasing.
Let us never lose our local pride. but
let's be thankful that we have a pride
that wants to have it's full part in the
ratior's cause, Let us be loyal and true
to every good thing that we can do for
our city. but let us swear anew our allie
glance TO our country's needs. I am a hit
late. but here is wishing the old families
and the new families a happy New Year,
with the wish that 1918 shall cement
them into bonds of mutual helpfulness
that will mean much for Birmingham
and for America and for God and for
humanity.
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