Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-29
Black Belt Politics.

The surrender of the state to the popu-
 lite-republcan fusionists would be ca
 lamitous to every section of Alabama. However well intentioned the respectable element of this fusion, the ex- tremists, the Bowmans and Groves would be in control, backed by an irresponsible and uncaring fol-
 lowing But the black belt would feel their heavy hand above all others; prop erty values and vested interests, and the very foundations of civilization would be shaken to the center; the shotgun would
 be the only peace officer, and security for life and property would have to be main-
 tained by bloodshed.
 Under these circumstances and with
 this prospect, the white democracy of
 the black belt have no patience with
 democratic journals and leaders who are insisting on divisions on currency lines or
 attempt to make eligibility to office un- conditional approval of all the policies of MT. Cleveland. If all the democrats who
 honestly believe that free coinage is best
 for the people are to be ostracized or de-
 nied any participation in the honors and
 rewards of the party; if no democrat can
 be nominated who does not swallow all
 of Mir Cleveland'S theories; 1T the free coinage democrats are only good enough
 to vote, then are we in imminent peril
 of the return of the days of 186S-1S70,
 when negro judges and sherffs and tax
 assessors and collectors were common
 in the black belt. A democrat man
 who lived and labored and struggled
 years of his life to redeem the black belt "a man who has never faltered in devo-
 tion to his party and people. becomes a
 candidate for the democratic nomination
 for governor thereupon the Advertiser and the Register, simply because he does
 not agree with MT. Cleveland'S financial
 views declare that he must be defeated; that a "sound money" candidate shall
 orI fcc,t ic icod
 and pressed to the hilt whether 1t di-
 vdes and demoralizes and destroys our
 party or not. They do not question his ability, or integrity, or long continued and faithful service, but because he does not happen to agree with gentleman from New York; the peace and safety of our party and of the white women and children of the black belt are to be im- periled.
 The decree is to go forth that none ex- cept "sound money men" are to be nomi- mated to office. Are the scars received in defense of ones country to count for nothing? Are these champions of "sound money" who never smelled gunpowder. to drive scared and veteran democrats into retirement? Are men who ques- toned and denounced "the boys in the trenches" for saving their people from negro domination now to be followed? Is this Wall street horse to be introduced into our camp? Are sound money demo- crats only desired as voters? Governor Seay and Governor Jones and Governor Oates all "sound money" democrats were cheerfully supported by the great body of the democratic voters, but the first time a man who comes up on the other side he is to be promptly cruciied, and harmony is to be secured by ostracising every democrat who believes in free coin age The black belt democracy will put their braid of condemnation upon such intolerance and such leadership. It will stand together as one man for the party that has stood by them in the past and will not permit these modern leaders, who have no smell of gunpowder on them to divide their ranks.-Selma Times.