Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-07
THE WAY TO WIN.

The Birmingham News of yesterday has an editorial reference to the guber- material contest which does great credit to the heart and head of the distinguish ed editor of that journal, Col Rufus N. Rhodes, who was-a delegate to the na- tional convention of 1892 and who has been in accord with MT. Cleveland upon his various financial positions. Colonel Rhodes has had the most abundant op- portunlty to understand the condition and prospects of the democratic party in Alabama. He declares that he has come to the conclusion, a reluctant conclu- sion," that Captain Johnston can poll larger vote for governor than any sound money" man that could be nomi- mated. We must protest against this misuse of the term "sound money man." as in our opinion Captain Johnston and his adherents are all sound money men, We are all for the best and soundest money and differ only as to the material that should be used to represent values. Upon this difference the democratic par ty of Alabama should not go to pieces The patriotism of Colonel Rhodes is Wor- thy of the imitation of all good and true men who wish to save Alabama from de- cay and ruin. The editorial of the News is as follows: !
 "Continuance of democratic control of state affairs is the supreme desire of every loyal party man in Alabama. A contest for the nomination of governor imperils continued democratic suprem- acy and the avoidance of a contest has been earnestly hoped and sought for by the great body of democrats throughout the state.
 Governor Oates was importuned by many of the foremost democrats in Ala bama again to become candidates; party precedent, had he desired a renomina- tion, would have given it to him without much resistance. Governor Oates de- clined to run. Captain Johnston an nounced his candidacy and thousands of democrats, advocates of free silver and advocates of sound money-the News among the latter-appealed to their brethren, for the sake of harmony, to permit Captain Johnston to have the nomination without protest. This has been denied him. Yesterday Hon. Rich ard H. Clarke, in the Mobile Register, formally announced his candidacy. The fight is on, and bitter fight, far-reach- ing In damage to the party, 1t promises to be.
 MT. Clarke is an advocate of sound money; so is the News. Captain John ston is an advocate of free silver, pol
 
 ruinous for the United States to adopt. The financial problem, however is na- tional, and not a state issue. The gov ernor of Alabama can never affect it, except in the remote contingency of hay ing to appoint a United States senator to fill vacancy, and Alabama's delega- tion, if it numbered 100, instead of twen- tytwo, could not hinder, much less pre- vent, the triumph of the sound money cause in the next national democratic convention. Other interests completely overshadow and dwarf the financial question in Alabama.
 "Since Captain Johnstons announce ment the News, as thoroughly and care fully as possible, has been studying the sentiment of the people of Alabama and analysing political probabilities, and it has come, within the last few days, to the reluctant conclusion that a sound money democratic nominee for governor cannot poll by many thousands as many votes as a free silver nominee; in fact, the News believes that sound money nominee cannot be elected. So believing, and infinitely preferring, for obvious req sons, a democratic governor though he be champion of free silver, to a populite or republican governor. the News favors and shall urge the nomination of Captain Johnston"