Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-05
Why Not Have Harmony

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 Why Not Have HarmonyP For several months past there has been | talk in all portions of Alabama about the | importance of having harmony in the | ranks of the democratic party in next | years state election. This talk has been | indulged in by those who favor the free | and unlimited coinage of silver and those who favor the single gold standard For several months it seemed that repeti- tion of the Oates-JohnSton contest was to be had, and this was mainly the causa of the expressions in favor of harmonic ing the differences in the party sufficient Iy to agree on a candidate for governor without having a bitter contest inside the party.
 Governor Oates has positively and finally declined to become a candidate for governor This leaves no candidate in the state except Capt. Joseph F. John ston. and affords the party an opportuni- ty to unite on him as its candidate for governor.
 Captain Johnston is a man who is in every way worthy to serve as Alabama s chief executive. He is recognized as one of the best business men in the state and certainly no other Alabamian has done more work for his party than has Captain Johnston. Then why the neces- sity of drafting another candidate? When there is no one else asking to be governor. why the necessity of bringing pressure to force the candidacy or an other man?
 These are pertinent questions, and are being answered by many who do not agree with Captain Johnston fully m ms financial views by declaring that no oth- CT candidate should be brought out, but that the party should unite In an effort to elect him over the combined opposition of the republicans and populists.--Jaek- sonville Republican.
 Let the Fight Go On.
 Let the fight go on, but let 1t be con ducted without rancor, and above all Ter it be understood that the contest enos with the nomination and that every dem ocrat will Loyalty support the nominee of our convention"
 The ahove is the closing sentence of anl editorial in the Advertiser. It wants the fight to go on, but wants it to be con ducted without rancor. How IS ,hls possible when the gold monometallists nersist in virtually calling the silverites a set of fools and its leaders set Of place seekers? And above all let It. be under stood that the contest ends with the nomination." Of course those who par ticipate in the convention will, as honor able men, abide by the nomination. But what a bout those who are read out Of the party by the Advertiser and its followers and not allowed to vote in the primaries! There are thousands of these, ana with out them it is impossible to elect any democrat as the successor of Governor oates. It can safely be counted on that there are at least one-half the white men in Alabama in favor of restoring silver in the same position 1t occupied in 1875. How then does the Advertiser and it's fol lowers expect to elect a democrat? Will they countenance and advocate paiiot- box stuffing as in the days when the con test was between white men on the one and a few CarDet- pa g. pors and sealawags on the other? The contest now Is between white men ana white men, good citizens ana good e'ti. zens. The policy of the Advertiser, II successful. win surely disrupt the party and turn the government over to the re- Dublieans. In saying this we do not mean to couutenance any desertion from the democratic ranks. -
 As for ourselves, we shall fight the gold bug element until a nomination is made. But after that time we shaii aovocate the election of any democrat that may be nominated.-Opelika Evening News.
 "On With the Fight"
 In order that our readers may get full insight into the sayings and doings of some of the leading democratic dailies of Alabama at this critical juncture, the Argus reproduces on its first page. in its entirety, forceful editorial from the Rjrmtncha State Herald of Friday. It shows the reckless and defiant drift of the Montgomery Advertiser and Mobile Register Gin the face of Captain John stun's practically assured nominatioD, in a startling but true light. There must be more than any ordinary prompting for the desperate tone of these two jour nals There are many other equally con sIstent and faithful advocates Of the gold standard who do not view the situation in this jaundiced and destructive light. rrL. Ar~uc while an earnest supporter of MT. Cleveland's financial policy recog- nizes in the strained and far-fetched 1s- sue presented by the Register and Ad- yert.ser, in regard to strictly state campaign, degree Of proscriptlve ln- tolerance which 1t condemns in common with the great majority of the people, without qualification. If there Is any doubt in any ones mind about the per sonal malignity which stimulates the Advertiser, for instance. let him read the following which appeared like the wire tipped cracker of a bull whip. at the end of an editorial of Friday assailing some recent pacific utterances of Governor Oates:
 "On with the fight to the finish. It is for the best There can be no mouthing after A hard fight and clean licking The Advertiser has no sort of misgiving as to the wisdom of this policy, or as to the outcome of the contest. The right will prevail. Party loyalty will be up- held. Mutineers will be rebuked. Selfish leaders will be disciplined into line h. sincere demagogues will be shamed into silence. The party will be stronger for the tussle."
 Note the phrases-"on with the fight" "mutineers" and such! Who would imag- inc that these refer to party brethren whose ranks outnumber those of the hari-kari way of thinking. set forth in the Register and Advertiser. as much as forty to one?
 The spirit and intent of all this Is de- plorable but 1t cannot be that the demo-