New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-01-22
From Alabama.
w. f. WALKER

From Alabama.
SELMA, ALA, Jan. IL, 1874.
To the Editor efMe Ne,o National Era and citizen:
DEAR SIR: In writing the personals of
the Alabama legislature, shall begin by
offering the delegation from Dallas.
Hon. jeremiah HARRISON was born in Mus
cogee County, Georgia, in the year lS4G, and
was brought to Alabama in 1859 a slave,
and remained the goods and chattel Of John
HARRISON until the surrender of 1865, at
which time he could neither read nor write.
But no sooner than the opportunity offered
itself he applied himself to the study Of
books, and by ntiring toll, and that
never-ceasing perseverance which always
accomplishes something, he learned to
handle the English language. Senator
HARRISON is purely sclfmade man Of our
own vine and fig-tree. Senator HARRISON
took an active part in politics in 1868, and
distinguished himself by making Seymour
and Blair speeches during the campaign.
The Senator's friends tell laughable story.
on him during the campaign of 1868. The
anecdote is short, but it contains a great
deal for contemplation, and it runs in this
wise: While he made Seymour and Blair
speeches for money, he talked Grant and
COlfax for nothing. Mr.. HARRISON says his
reason for making those speeches was be-
cause he was thereby enabled to reach the
IF ho md In fol fhor, 1o
great necessity of voting for Grant aud Col
fax. And he claims to this day that he car
ried the State for Grant and COlfax by
making pretended Seymour and Blair
speeches, but doing his effective work by
conversation. In 1870 he ran on an indie
pendent ticket as Republican against the
regular nominee Of his party, and defeated
his opponent by over 1000 majority. He
presided over the district convention which
nominated the Hon. B. S. Turner in 1870,
and every district convention which has
been convened since by the Republicans.
He makes an able presiding officer; is well
versed in parliamentary usages, and has a
clear ringing voice which is we'll disciplined.
He was nominated in 1872 by the 2lst Sena-
torial district by reclamation, and was
elected by 5000 majority, and has been
elected president for three consecutive terms
of the Alabama Laborer's Union, and dele
gate to the National Laborer's Union which
convened at New Orleans, (HOn. Frederick
Douglass presiding.) Mr.. HARRISON there
gained the admiration and esteem of the con-
vention in debate with Gov. Pinchback, of
Louisiana. He is ready and shrewd
| debater; full of wit and sarcasm, and is
feared, perhaps, more than any colored man
in the legislature of Alabama. He made
one of the most effective arguments ever
made in the legislative halls of Alabama in
the session before last, upon the subject Of
the civil rights bill.
Hon. Ransom L. johnson was born in
Lownde County, Alabama, of South Carolina
parentage in the year $780,, slave, and
clandestinely acquired some education, which
he has improved upon since freedom, and
can now boast Of common English educa-
ton. He has all the marks of keen bust
ness man. His usual vocation is that Of the
mercantile pursuit, and has been very sue.
cessful as a merchant, but is now in the
butchery business, cutting beef-steaks for his
constituents, "a very lucrative business too.
He is not me of those who make fowery
speeches, but ponders well and deep has s
strong aversion to dishonesty, clique, ant
rings; was a jealous and untiring advocat,
of the civil rights bill, true lover Of hi
party, and unceasing worker in his party
cause. Mr.. johnson was nominated by tn
Republicans in 1870 as Republican of tn
lower house, and served his constituent
with such marked ability and integrity that
as reward for his services, he was in 1877
reneminated and elected to the Same position
by handsome majority.
Hon. Thomas Walker was born in Dalla
County, Alabama, in 1850, and is equal
divided between the favored and unfavore
races, and of medium height and weigh
with large black eyes and heavy eyebrows
walks upright with quick elastic step. q
was elected to the legislature in 1872, an
has since distinguished himself as a legislatt
and debater. No one has keener concel
ton of the duties incumbent upon one who
burdened with the important trust Of tt
law-making power. As debater he is COO
calm. and deliberate /; wades out in dee
water slowly and cautious, but when he ge
out can swim as pretty as any one know
Mr.. Walkers constituents think great de-