Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-06-23
FIFTY SCORE AND MORE
5et =
Vote of the German-American
3 - :, ~
ID Union
is SOLID FOR DEMOCRACY
An Enthusiastic Meeting Sunday Afternoon,
Captain Johnston sReply to.Mr. Fries 3
( Cheered to the Echo. ,''.'-.

The German-American union held a
large and enthusiastic meeting Sunday
afternoon at 8 o'clock at Behrens' park.
There were 1888 members present when
President Emil Lesser called the meeting
to order.
He announced that the meeting would
be devoted to a discussion of the August
election and for the purpose Of deciding
their course in same.
Mr.. A. Anton was the first speaker and
made a strong and forceful argument
favoring thorough organization and .ad-
vised voting in body. Mr. Anton spoke
in German and his language was ex-
cellent.
Mr.. Richard H. Fries was the next
speaker. He, too, urged thorough and
compact organization and thought it was
the best way to secure the desired end,
that of seeing the entire democratic tick
ct, both state and county, elected by over
Whelming majorities. This was received
with cheers. Mr.. Fries then gave very
brief synopsis of what the white people
of Alabama went through under republi-
can misrule.
At the conclusion of his remarks Mr.
Fries read the following letters, which
are self-explaining:
Mr.. Fries to Captain Johnston.
Birmingham, Ala, June 10, 1896.
I1UI. Joseph II. johnston, City
Dear Sir: Whilst L am personally IA
miliar with your general views in respect
to the recognition due the German Amer
lean element in this county and state in
the event of your election as governor,
yet there are a great many of our people
who are unacquainted with your ideas
ON this subject.
The great mass of foreign born citizens
who have made their home amongst us
and are part and parcel of the civilized
and civiliZng influences in every sub
stantial reform, through patriotic mo-
lives and for patriotic purposes, have not
obtained such political recognition as Is
due their intelligence, wealth and worth.
Because of the fact that you have not
previously occupied official position in
Alabama numbers of our best people in
this and other counties have not learned
your views in relation to matters in
Which they are somewhat concerned, al
though some of these same citizens adj
mire your liberal principles as illustrated
in your daily course in this community
and have been reminded of your great
service in the year 1876, when, as chair
man of the democratic executive commit
tee, you aided in hurting from the ship
of state tina octopus of the republican
party whose tentacles of intolerance and
ignorance had well nigh become fastened
beyond redemption.
We would be pleased to have you ex-
press your sentiments in the premises.
Should you deem this communication
worthy of serious consideration will ask
that you frankly explain your position
on this and kindred subjects, so that you
may not be misunderstood and all our
voters may intelligently cast their bal
lots. Very respectfully,
RICHARD H. FRIES.
Captain Johnston's Reply.
Birmingham Ala, June Is, 1896.
r. H. Fries, Esq, birmingham, Ala.-
Dear Sir: 1 have your favor of the
10th instant. To one who knows my
views on the matters mentioned in your
letter as well as you, it would hardly be
necessary for me to make any statement
l have no tolerance whatever for the
intolerance that would discriminate
against any worthy citizens of our state
because they did not spring from the
same stock as ourselves.
All the white citizens of Alabama are
themselves either of foreign birth or the
descendants Of foreigners; this fact
alone without regard to our form of gov
eminent, our Institutions, or the teach
ings of the fathers, should prevent any
discrimination against men of our own
race or any interference with their GUS
toms or traditions, not repugnant to the
principles of liberty established in 1875.
Many of my warmest friends are of
German birth or descent. The most fruit
full colonies that have been planted in
Alabama in the last twenty-five years
are of that stock, and our people owe not
a small debt to men like Cullman, Schil-
linger and others, who have planted col
ones, established industries and given
much of their time and substance to