The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-23
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

After a short rest the Allied Army too- up arms again on Monday night It was mighty like old times to gather for dinner at the Tutwiler to get ready for war drive.
 The old guard was out in full force and there were some new recruits. It looked bit queer not to see Field Marshal Rushton at the speakers table, but ne got more notice than If he had occupied the chief seat at the speakers table, for John Sparrow asked him to stand up .is he wanted to see how he looked as 2 buck" private Field Marshal T. O. Smith took charge like an old veteran and received rousin ; cheer as the new leader who is to put over the Victory Loan in way to uphold the best traditions of Birmingham. He is business man, but if needed knows how to talk, and does it briefly like tn ! true and tried soldier he is.
 From the time that Parson Barnwei; blessed the food until the last word was said things were happening in a lively manner. The Alphonse and Gaston stunt pulled between Field Marshals Rushton and Smith was greatly enjoyed by the crowd. The latter paid a glowing trib- ute to the 4st services of the former and the former modestly admitted that the latter was a man of truth, in his best Rush-tonic wit which never Aails to get by in the Allied Army circles Then came Major General Sparrow, for Field Marshal Smith had promoted him from the head of the light artillery, but John was in serious mood and refused to frivol, and really made G hit with personal reference to the American flag which he had seen pushed to the banks of the Cahaoa after surrender. He called attention to the reversal of feeling to- wards Abraham Lincoln and read effec- lively his famous Gettysburg address
 Then came the introduction of Congress man w. B. Oliver who was in fine form and voice. He belonged to the old school of orators He both looks the part, has the grand manner, and isn't afraid to give play to his fancy. I confess that I greatly enjoyed it, because during the war I had listened to so man; crisp, curt, or snappy talks from business men and officers.
 
 Say what you please, it's the old hymns we like best, it's the old jokes that double us up, it's the memories of by gone days which bring flood of sweet memories and so it was music to my ears as Buck Oliver sent forth his well rounded periods in resonant tones, for it brought before my vision the best type of our ante-bellum statesman.
 Now, in these days when commercial life presses so closely upon the professions, unconsciously modifying them, I like man who is willing to face the cold facts of living and throw sentiment around life even though he may be accused or being old fashioned and out of tune with the hurly burly of twentieth century con- ditions.
 To my mind the world will never see a finer nace than the old time southern men who took time to pay attention to the amenities and went about their daliS affairs with leisurely courtesy whicp is the despair of our age. They were only surpassed by the charm and culture of sweethearts, wives or daughters. To meet a chivalric man of ante-bellum days or be thrown in the society of woman of the old type is to get breath of days which belong to sacred times.
 Now. I say man who can evoke sucn thoughts in the brain of tired news paper man after days work is bound to have a rich imagination and fund of poetry. I was dog tired when l took my seat, but "Buck's'' rich voice, his cherubic face, his poetic fancy rested me and I sat through his speech in of Prussian miiltarism. I wondered if when he drove hard at the hellishness
 Now, just because Congressman Oliver he was affecting others like he was me, and SO I began to study the audience, and believe me he had the crowd hyp- notized. Talk to me all you please abou. the old style oratory being played out It may be in the hands of an amateur, but when used by postmaster 1t IS still potent to fan our fancies, stir our hearts, and grip our souls.
 Now just because Congressman Oliver in manner and speech seemed to have stepped out of an ante-b bellum frame and made one think of Yhhcey and Hilliard, let no one gather the idea that his speech Was not pregnant with message for to- day; for while he spoke in the grand manner, and gave full rein to his rich fancy, yet he gave forth matter that burned with indignation, and hlled for action. He made a great hit.
 An America audience shows apprecia- tion over civilians who have stood by the government but it only goes into wild enthusiasm at the sight of a real sol dier. This was proved by the great re- ception given to Lieut.. Malcolm Dabney' a Birmingham boy, and schoolmate of the beloved Captain Mortimer Jordan, who gave the most intimate account of his death yet brought out in one of our public gatherings.
 It was a dramatic moment when Mrs.