Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-03-08
tIEMPNlS APPEAL
WEDNESDAY, :: MARCH 5. 1889
TIE Boom FOR cENrKAL o,NEAI

THE BOOM FOR GENERAL O'NEAL.
The editorial in the APPEAL on the 26th
uitimo, urging the nomination of General
+. A. O'Neal, of Lauderdale county, as the
Democratic candidate for governor Of Ala
bama, seems to have attracted much atten-
ton in the political circles Of north Ala
bama. We have received many letters from
the counties of Colbert, Morgan, Lawrence,
Lauderdale and Madison commencing the
APPEAL editorial favoring the nomination
of General ONeal The letter which we
publish from Decatur reflects the general
tone and sentiments OF others received on
this subject, and the communication written
by our Decatur correspondent should
have a powerful influence, as it emf
mates from a veteran Democrat never
a lsggard in fidelity to the party, and
whose pen for fifteen years has been busily
and ably welded warning upon Radical
ism and in building up the party which has
made Alabama one OF the most prosperous
States in the Union. The present indications
in Alabama point to the nomination of Gen
eral O'Neal. Indeed, there seems to be an
ONeal boom. We cannot see how it could
be otherwise, and it rejoices our heart to
see the sympath;es of the people clus-
tering around this faithful and gifted son of
Alabama. He is sustained by lifetime Of
duties well performed, aud if that gratitude
OF which the people of Alabama boast be the
heritage of the faithful, General O'NeaTs
nomination is assured. The people of Ala
bama cannot deny General ONeal the posi-
ton which he will honor and adorn, and
which will gid the evening of his life with
the pleasing thought that his party and his
people are neither ungrateful nor forgetful
For fifteen years he has participated in every
contest which the Democrats have made; he
has swayed and thrilled the bosoms of the
people as the storm stirsahe ocean, and the
Office which he seeks would be but a poor
recompense for his long and arduous services.
Defeat and enforced retiracy cannot dim the
luster of his name or diminish his devotion
to the cause he has so long and ably served I;
but it would tarnish the names of those
who struck him down, by showing that
their professions of gratitude were moth
ing but sounding brass or a tink-
ling cymbal" This is the last OPP
portunity the people of Alabama will ever
have to reward General O'Neal for his faith
full services. Advancing age admonishes
him and his friends that he must soon pass
beyond the vicissitudes of human affairs.
His competitors for the nomination are
younger men, and they can afford to wait
Not single objection can be urged against
the nomination of General G'Neal. His
name is unsullied; his ability is conceded;
his high-hearted amiability is proverbial,
and while he is an unfaltering Democrat his
political perceptions go beyond the narrow
horizon of mere party prejudices-he
comprehends not only the needs of the
Southern people at home, but their situation
as an integral part OF the great national
rotherhood-he is abreast with the most
enlightened and advanced opinions of the
country as to the necessity OF forgetfulness
of past issues. In a word, General Edward
A. O'Neal is entitled to the nomination, and
would make as pure, able, upright and pop
ular governor ever presided over the
affairs of the grand old State of Alabama.