Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-25

anu ueilSnteu.
Capt. Joseph F. Johnston, the gallant
standard bearer of Alabama democracy,
accompanied by his lovely and beloved
wife, returned to Birmingham last even
ing, and they were given a proud and
happy ovation by their fellow citizens.
The next governor came from the cap
ital on the afternoon accommodation
train. Marshaled by that public-spirited
citizen and indomitable democrat Col.
e. J. McCrossin, Weber's excellent brass
and reed band was at the union passen-
ger station, discoursing stirring strains
to a waiting multitude. When the train
pulled In the ever stirring notes of Dix
lie" greeted the coming hero and was a
signal for an enthusiastic outburst of
cheering.
carriage drawn by four fine horses
awaited Captain Johnston. In this car
riage with him were Hon. M. A. Porter,
Mr.. w. H. Kettig and John w. Tomlin-
son, Esq. In other carriages following
were Mrs. Joseph F. Johnston, Mrs. John
w. Tomlnson, Mrs. Henry B. Gray, Gen.
Rufus N. Rhodes, Ex-Mayor A. o. Lane,
Messrs. Henry B. Gray and Ross c.
Smith.
Preceded by Weber's band, a procession
was formed and the party repaired along
Twentieth street to Second avenue and
thence to the corner Of Nineteenth street
to the Florence hotel. There, after the
band had discoursed some lively num-
bers, Hon. M A. Porter appeared upon
the balcony of the hotel and to the in
creasing crowd Of several thousand cit
izens introduced Captain Johnston, who
was greeted with very great enthusiasm.
Mr.. Porter said:
Fellow citizens: We democrats have
just fought through an old-fashioned
family fuss. In our excitement and en-
thusiasm we said some mean things
about each other, as is usual In these
family fusses, but there was no truth in
any of these things we said. Some of us
have been defeated and some have been
victorious While l am very sorry that
all of us could not be victorious, still
am happy In the fortune of those upon
whom fortune has smiled. (Cheers.)
This is an occasion which fills us all
with joy. The contest is over and JEFF
ferson county-our county--is honored.
Our fellow citizen, our highly respected
and admired fellow citizen, is the stand
ard bearer of the grand old democratic
party. (Cheers) sa
Now, fellow citizens, allow a defeated
candidate, who is as good a democrat
now as before his defeat (cheers), and
who never even dreamed that he could
vote any but straight democratic tick
ct, to present to you man and a demo-
crat; one who has fought the battles of
sweet democracy for thirty years; one
who, IL possible, is more glorious in de-
feat than in victory Qoud cheers)-such a
character as all true democrats hold in
the highest esteem-allow me. fellow citi-
zens, to present to you the "red-headed
roosterof Jefferson" the next governor of
the state of Alabama. (Great cheering.)
Captain Johnston said
Fellow citizens of Jefferson county:
observed when 1 came into the city on
the train tonight that the fires of the
furnaces were still burning daughter and
cheering), and have heard that the
sun and the Evening News were still IL
Illuminating the earth. daughter and ap-
plause.) l wish to thank you, my fell
low citizens for this fiattering welcome
I thank my friend burning to Mr.. Por-
teri, the blows Of whose strong right
arm I have felt in the contest within the
party, and those who were with him,
but feel assured that from now on their
blows will fall upon the mail of pur COM
mon enemy. (Cheers) And / desire es-
pecially to express my appreciation Of
the partiality Of the German citizens of
Jefferson county. / wish to say IL by any
chance they had no representation on
the delegation which went to Montgome-
ry, when l am governor they shall. have
representation then. (Applause.) Fell
low citizens, we have great opportunities
before us. We have the greatest of the
sisterhood of states. In soil and climate
Alabama is unsurpassed. In mineral re-
sources none Is equal tosit. Let US make
the best of these gifts. Honored as am
l feel my great party has favored my
county in selecting one of its sons to
lead the cohorts of democracy. AS to
the work of the state convention, mod
esty restrains me from dwelling upon it's
head, but / wish to say for the rest of 1t
that 1t Is clean, splendid ticket. And
here in Jefferson county we have an ex-
cellent ticket-Cunningham, Altman
O'Brien-every one of them worthy of
your united and ardent support. Look
ing over the recent heated contest, l am
glad to remember that of those who op-
posed me not one uttered a. word that re-
fected upon my democracy or my in
tegrity as a man and citizen. (Cheers.)
And / wish to say to them that when
am in the white house at Montgomery
as shall be, shall welcome them there
as heartily as 1 would any democrat in
the state. (Cheers.)
Mr. Porter then rose and said:
Ihave the pleasure of Introducing to
you one who started with his friend, re-
mained with him through the fight and
brushed the dust of battle from his
clothes in victory; man who dared to
do his all, and his all was much, for his
friend. Friendship, the strongest tie
'twixt man and man, thou hast been ex-
emplified here In John w. Tomlinson.
(Applause.)
Fellow Citizens: While congratulating
Captain Johnston tonight We can con-
eratulate ourselves and the democrat c
party that the great contest through
which we have just passed Is over; that