Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-10
HON. R. Fl. CLARKE.

Oem0crat1c nomination Tor governor. He did not promise them. and when he returned home tonight he left the dues- tion of his candidacy still unsettled. As he climbed on the train your correspond ent asked him for a statement in the matter. He replied that he would great ly regret being convinced that his can didacy was for the best interests of the party, but if he should become so con- vinced. he would not hesitate to sacri- flee his wishes in the matter. He said he was by no means convinced as yer, that his whole attention recently had been centered in the trial of the Lavretta will case. He expressed the belief that the democratic nominee would almost certainly be elected. He thought there was little doubt, too, but that the nomi- nee would be friendly to>the policy of the national administration"
 As Mir Clarke is still in doubt we beg to suggest to him that his candidacy would not be for the best interests of the party. He has already announced him self as a candidate for the senate, and should he now at this late day thrust the presidents financial policy as an issue into our approaching state election, 1t would be very disastrous to the party. It would arouse anew a discussion as to financial theories and methods, which without furnishing the people any new lights for their guidance would array the party into two camps. A prolonged and often acrimonious discussion would leave it's sting behind and whichever feature might secure the nomination there would be so many sulkers in the tents as to endanger the success of the party. There is danger that what oc- cured in Kentucky may occur in Ala bama. It is recalled that MT. Carlisle made a pilgrimage through the south to educate the people and bring them into line with the presidents policy in dealing with bonds and gold. He went to Ken lucky and expounded his theory, so far as it had any distinetness in the minds of MT. Cleveland and himself. Of course the democratic ranks were at once broken the old guard standing true to the teachings of Senator Beck and to the teachings of MT Carlisle himself be- fore he came within the bright light that beats upon the throne, while faction followed the new doctrines of the ad- ministration. The party was rent in twain. A double dealing platform was adopted. A ''sound money" banner was displayed, and a bimetallst candidate nominated There could be but one re- suit. Enough disgruntled democrats-of one or the other faction. no matter which stayed away from the polls and republican governor and legislature were elected A republican senator will prob ably be the outcome. With battle royal between the currency factions here in Alabama is it not reasonable to fear that a similar result may follow?
 Why should MT Clarke imagine for a moment that the interests of the party demand a war to the knife? If he should conduct the campaign on the lines he in- dicates we fear irretrievable disaster. His duty is not here to stir up the slum- bering embers. It is at Washington, where he has been sent from his district to deal with all national questions. There is his battle-ground. Let the people hear from him at his desk in congress! We
 will listen to him patiently there and we shall expect him to tell us in what re- spect the president is right and in what respect he is not right. Colonel Oates has not hesitated to criticse those acts and opinions of the president which he regarded as immature, uncertain or erro- neous. But MT. Clarke has not yet taken a certain stand. He has simply content ed himself with saying that down to the summer of 1893 the president was right and he (Clarke) was wrong It is now his duty to go back to Washington and
 watch the progress of the debates to
 warn, to defend, to encourage the ad- ministratfon, and to plant the standard for the presidential campaign
 In our opinion it would be the last and fatal mistake to transfer the fight from congress to the hustings of the state elec- ton, to force issues in advance of cons gressional action and national platforms.
 to divide the people into hostile camps. to stir up bad blood, to bring about vic
 tory for the enemy not only at the state election, which involves all the local of fees, but at the ensuing federal election as we'll.
 The people generally have expressed themselves as content with the candida cy or captain Johnston. He is an able experienced and good citizen He would
 make an excellent governor. There is no reason why he should be antagonized because of what some say are barren idealities. He and myriads of his fellow citizens believe in absolute bimetallism but if it cannot be reached within many years to come, why should 1t be made u party issue at our approaching election and why should the opponents of the principle declare war against us unless we bend the knee to their theories, which are only in process of parturition?
 Mir. Clarke would not only do his party great damage were he to listen to the voice of the siren at Montgomery, but he would blast his own personal pros- poets. Colonel Oates saw plainly that those who tempted him with the apple | aimed to drive him out of the senatorial | Eden. MT. Clarke ought to see that the same tempter is coiled about the tree
 with the same half-bitten apple. If he accepts-if he bites-the angels, with their waving swords, stand ready to shut from his approach the senatorial chair of MT. Pugh. He cannot be gov ernor today and senator tomorrow. Be hind the tempter who offers him the ap- pie is the shadow of a dark horse.
 SENATOR MILLS.
 The distinguished senator from Texas | does not agree with the president as to I