Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-25
Old Friends and Former Foes Join in
the Greeting.
Strike Hands Across the Financial Chasnn Pledge
the Nominee Hearty Support and a
Glorious Victory in August.

all feeling is wiped out; that now every
gun is turned on the enemies of democ-
racy and good government in this state.
(Applause)
Alabama democracy must and will be
victorious In August. Here the conditions
are different from those in Kentucky.
Here the question of white supremacy is
involved. Here that conservative gov
erment which protects life, liberty and
property can only be had through the
great democratic party. (Applause)
Our business interests demand the per-
petuation of the democratic party in
this state, and, fellow citizens, 1t will be
perpetuated! loud applause) Tonight
on every hilltop and in every valley
throughout all Alabama are burning
brightly the camp fires of democracy.
In the glow of those fires are seen the
faces of veterans and sons of veterans
ready and willing to do battle for good
government. (Applause.) On the morrow
the battle opens, and as it progresses, in
the thickest of the fight, welding his
mighty battle ak, as In the chivalrous
days of the past, will be that valiant
knight-Richard, the Lion Hearted
Hon. Richard H. Clarke of Mobile. loud
applause.) Mr.. Clarke said in his speech
In the convention, and to me personally,
that he would answer promptly the first
bugle call of the campaign, and his lead
ers assembled at Montgomery gave the
same assurances; though no assurances
were necessary. (Applause.)
TO make victory doubly sure, demo-
Gratis will organize all over the state, and
before the campaign is over there will be
democratic club in every precinct in
the state. Thus organized, fighting in
unbrokeE ranks, In recruited ranks,
united people will march to most glo-
rious victory in August under the match
less leadership of the gallant Joe John
ston. cloud applause)
Mr.. Porter now performed happy in
PRODUCTION of General Rhodes of the
News, saying: Il now have the pleasure
of introducing to you Gen. Rufus N.
Rhodes who never changes daughter
and applause) nor falters in his fealty to
democratic principles. Cloud cheers).
One who is always in the thickest of the
battle, whose sword Is always un-
sheathed for the right. How could any
democratic ticket in the state be elected
without the aid of the ringing fiery and
brilliant editorials of the Evening News?
(Cheers)
General Rhodes, speaking with his
usual ringing emphasis, said: "Fellow
citizens, no man can enter more heartily
into the spirit of this occasion of giving
a cordial greeting to our distinguished
fellow citizen. (Cheers).
Captain Johnston" said General
Rhodes, Il congratulate you upon yoNr
brilliant personal victory. (Cheers). l am
glad to be here to rejoice in that the
highest honor in the gift of the demo-
cratic party has come to you, our dis
tinguished fellow townsman. hail you
as my chief, my leader, as the next gov
ernor of Ala bama. (Cheers). And i say
to you, fellow citizens, that wherever the
battle under his banner shall lead / shall
be with him in spirit If not in person.
: (Cheers). Let us not only have to say
of this campaign we must, but we are
going to win, and when the result is an
nounced in August 1t will be Joe John
ston at the quarter, Joe Johnston at the
half Joe Johnston in the stretch and Joe
Johnston wins cloud cheering).
Mr. Porter then introduced as the part
ner of his toll, feeling and fame Mr.. w.
H. Kettig, "a man ever in the front for
the cause he espoused, and who had re-
Gently shown his will and pluck, a man
who was at all times democrat and for
the nominees first, last and all the time"
Mr. Kettig was cordially greeted by
the crowd. He said: II come not as a
free silver man, nor as a sound money
man, but al plain Alabama democrat
to pledge my loyal support to the demo-
cratic nominee. Applause> We have
fought hard fight, we of the Clarke
club, of which 1t was my privilege to be
president. We fought here, at Mont
gomery and to the last moment but
when in the convention the die was cast,
thence on, as I believe no body of men
became more anxious and willing to sup
port the nominee than the gallant band
who followed Mr.. Clarke. (Cheers.) Now
that the fight within the party Is over II
is our duty to get together to work for
its success against the enemy. I shall
have no difficulty in supporting Captain
Johnston. I have known him for years
and he is my friend. If we have differed
on principle can rejoice In the great dis
tinctIon he has achieved" (Applause)
Mr. w. II. Stanley was then introduced
by Mr.. Porter as "a man strong of arm
and strong Of head, man of the people;
one who, II there were any wounds from
the late contest left open, would plaster
them over and soothe them with the
sweet concord Of democracy.
Mr. Stanley said: II would not dare to
raise my voice here except to testify my
loyalty and devotion to Jefferson countys
favorite son. (Applause) 1t is the bind
ing duty of every white man in Alabama
to give the ticket of which Captain John
ston is the head his loyal and hearty sup
port. And pledged as he Is to education,
and knowing him as I do to be in line
with what will promote the progress of
the state, we can with good grace ask
people from all sections to come and
share our great state with u.s." (Cheers)
Mr. Porter now introduced Mr.. Emil
Lesser as "a representative of that solid
and sturdy race which stands for right,
peace and Justice; man who would be
found with his quick brain and indomit-
atie energy on the side of democracy
fighting her battles" (Cheers and cries Of
"Hurraii for Lesserv')
Mr.. Lesser said: II came here to Join
in cordially welcoming Captain Johnston
back to his home and to assure him that