Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-20
TROY.
A Strong Article From a Conservative
 Deunocrof


 Democrat.
 Troy, Feb. 19.-(Speeial.)- 1.-The follow ing communication, which appeared in Mondays issue of the Daily Messenger, written by a conservative democrat, is the sentiment of a great majority of the voters of Pike county:
 Editor Messenger: Much has been said regarding the action of the state democratic executive committee Tn the passage of a resolution extending the right to participate in democratic prl- mary elections in this state to all persons who will pledge themselves to support democratic principles. The committees action has been severely criticised by democratic papers in various quarters, and some have charged 1t with partisan infidelity. This committee was chosen by a democratic state convention which nominated the present governor Of this state, and are invested with the power and authority to prescribe the rules ana regulations touching the qualifications of those who shall participate In the elec- tion of delegates to the county conven- tions. the nomination of county officers and selection of delegates to the state convention. Their action, whether par tisan or non-partisan with respect to any particular candidate, is final ana conclusive, the only remedy in case or infidelity being the election Of new committee composed of different persons by the succeeding state convention. This doctrine and rule has been so strln- gently applied in this state for the past six years and participated in by organ ized democracy by such ardor as 10 De- come indisputable. Admitting for the first instance for the sake of an answer that the committees action was unWlse, can it be seriously contended that IL ulu so act regardless of the welfare or the peopje and the party? If so, is 1t wise lrn mouthpiece of democracy? Is 1t not the manufacture of artillery for the use or the enemy?
 The expression of dissatisfaction among ourselves with our chosen neaus of organization certainly tends to disrup- lion and disorganzation Without the mower to prescribe rules and enforce obedience thereto and without the soV- erning body for the final and conclusive settlement of family disputes, every ueih, ocrat would be the equal Of his party ana the party would be like the ship at sea without a rudder, tossed to and ITO by every light wave. Why charge thls coHl- mittee with partisan action? It IS known 10 all the people of our great state that the democratic party in Alabama was composed of nearly all the white men in the state; that six or eight years ago there sprang up in our ranks spIrit oi dissatisfaction for causes assigned ttoo numerous to mention) by those who Wan
 
 inc third party or populist party. The marty was divided, two factions arose ana war was waged; strife, bitterness, iii-wlil ha tired and malice all played their part in the great political drama or Aiapama; Fathers. sons relatives, close friends and neighbors in untold numbers were known to remain at daggers points to the end that heretofore social. religious and com mercial brotherly relations were victim ized in most disgraceful sense, ana on ktr Af h nrn actua1 civil war was threatened. Not great way from this state do we stand today. and a continuation or It Tor less period than 1t has already existed VIII en- tail upon us the calamteus return of re- nub,ican carpet-bag rule. Shall We st suninelv by without an effort at peace? Can there be no reconciliation?
 Not as long as the press of our state nersists in the uncharita ble abuse of white men, who until q short time ago stood as trained soldiers against the conn mon enemy and with their votes along with us in the ranks of organized de- mocracv maintained a white mans gov arnment in Alabama. Not as long as 1t Is ;nsieted that it is vain to trust them not as long as you require them to pledge in writing attested by democratic wit nesses a support of democratic princi- nles before they can return to the home of their childhood and the houses of their fathers Not as long as the messengers of neace bearing the only resolution of hone at harmony are fired at men within tbeir own rank nor as long as editors newspapers and democrats lend their heads and hands to vituperation. villif- cation and abuse of those who are equally free born and whose liberty of speech, thought and action are guaranteed by the same government.
 deny that the executive committees action is unwise; on the contrary de- clare that any man or set of men who are actuated by spirit to bring about peace full social. religious, commercial and po- 1itcal rela tions amongst divided white people for the maintenance of a govern ment by white people who. with the ex- ception of a short time, have stood to- gether against the common enemy. de- serve the praise of the people of this state and should be so rewarded by all true de.nocrats CONSERVATIVE