Birmingham state herald., 1896-08-02

tective association were asked not to support him on the charge that he is a Catholic and opposed to American in- stitutions, was the principal theme of nearly every speaker, and, defeated or elected, this noble son of Jefferson coun- ty will ever have cause to appreciate the many friends, personal and political, he has clustered around him during his cit izenship of more than twenty-six years. His biography, while not in history, is implanted in the minds of the people among whom he has lived, and his man. ly worth, progressiyeness, deeds of char ity and benevolence will live as long as one stone stands upon another in the Magic City of the south.
 The meeting was presided over by Mr. E. J. McCrossin. On assuming the chair Mr. McCrossin said that as the campaign was drawing to close, this meeting was simply a demonstration of the good work that democracy has accomplished in sus taining white supremacy and good gov ernment in Jefferson county and in the great state of Alabama. The mind of the voter is made up and there is. nothing now left but to cast the ballots and make the count.
 "The speeches tonight" said the presi- dent, will be confined to five minutes each, and to open the meeting have the honor to present to you that gallant gen. tleman whom you all know and ever de- light to listen to,
 Hon. Oscar w. Underwood.
 The naming of MT. Underwood brought forth loud and continued cheering from the audience.
 "The night before the battle of Shiloh," said the speaker, Albert Sidney John ston issued his order that for the morrow all should be forward and none back wards. The democartic party has formed it's companies into regiments, and let the order for next Monday be the same as that of the gallant general, be onward and not backward"
 hills of north Alabama and in the cotton fields of south Alabama and everywhere he has spoken he finds that democracy is in the lead. Not the generals, but the soldiers; not the candidates, but the rank and file of the people are directing the march of democracy in this campaign. He advised every voter to do his duty to his county, to his state and to his country by going to the polls next Mon day and casting his ballot for the entire ticket. The democratic party has never nominated ticket of which 1t was more proud. There is not a man on the ticket who is not honest, upright and well qua1- flied for the position he seeks. GA voice hurrah for O'Brien)
 "Yes," continued the speaker, land some say he is going to be knfed. The charge is a islander on the democracy of Jefferson county. They will never dis grace themselves by such an act The charges against him is that he Is mem- Der of the Catholic church. Simply this and nothing more
 Fellow citizens, every man in this free American country has the right to wor- ship God according to the dictates of his own conscience. Instead of running be- hind Frank O'Brien will lead his ticket"
 Rufus W. Rhodes.
 Mr. Rhodes said he was here to raise his voice for his people and his party. Everyone who loves peace and good gov ernment should go to the polls next Mon, day and vote the straight democratic tick ct. He could not see how any courageous democrat could scratch single name on the ticket. It is not question of per sonal opinion. The greatest principle in our constitution is the guarantee of re- ligious and political freedom.
 Jefferson county could not do better