Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-15
CLARKE AND cunningham
Address an Immense Audience
in Capitol Park.
CLARKE FOR THE NOMINEES
And Urges Sound Money Democrats to Stand
by the Tcket-Dr Cunning
hams Able Talk

ence at OdpilOi lldfk last hight
1t was the coming together as it were
of brothers after a friendly combat, and
the influence will no doubt result in
much good for the democratic party.
Those men who followed the standard of
Colonel Clarke in the primaries will
stand as firm for Captain Johnston and
the ticket he~heads in the August cleo
ton as they did for the champion of
their principles in that memorable con-
test between the members of the same
party, which will long live as one of the
closest and most vigorously fought bat
ties that was ever made in Jefferson
county.
The meeting was presided over by COL
M. A. Porter.
The first speaker of the evening was
Col. r. H. Clarke, and in introducing
him to the audience Mr.. Porter said tnat
he had the honor and pleasure OF intro
ducing a statesman clear of thought ana
weighty of words, and one whom we can
look to with confidence.
Colonel Clarke's Speech.
Colonel Clarke said that conditions had
changed since he had the honor Oh au-
dressing a Birmingham audience. When
he addressed this people before ne was
a candidate for office and represented
cause which he still believes to be right,
but that issue has been settled here
through the state and county commit
tees.
The speaker here paid a high tribute
to Birmingham and said it was destined
to become the greatest Industrial city Oh
the south
The speaker reiterated his fealty to his
side of the financial question; said he be-
lieVes not as before stated in the WISDOM
of the cause he represented; that ne
knew that many people OF birmingham
believes as he does; that we should nave
placed ourselves on the sound money
platform as they interpret it to mean
He returned thanks to his friends for the
liberal support they had given hina, and
now urged them to stand by the ticket
nominated as they had stood by him.
He said he was here to address partic-
uIarly men who believe as he does on the
financial question, but not to dictate to
any man what course he should pursue.
That there are no sides to the democratic
party today.
The man who espoused the cause OF
free silver in Alabama has had all the
honor he could desire, and he was mere
not to sound the praises of any one man,
but to speak for the party. The duty
that rests on every democrat is to give
loyal support to the state and county
ticket. The financial question mas no
longer any connection with 1t. All mas
been done that could have been done SO
far as our state politics are concerned.
TT caused him no effort to give the
democratic nominees all the support that
lies in him. That every man entitled by
law to vote could not refrain from dolng
so and retain his respect when we nave
to elect men to make and administer
laws which affect ourselves, our families
and our firesideS.
The speaker referred to the RECONSTRUCT
ton period and said while 1T was not
probable it was possible that such might
and he urged the necessity
of every democrat doing his duty
"Alabama has enjoyed q wise ana
economical government for twenty-five
wears. and her people will not submit
publican rule; they would rise up in rev.
olution first. While we might protect
ourselves by revolution, 1t can be more
easily done by the ballot.
ssI will not say anything about protect
ing us against negro rule. we nave
never had nor never will have 1T. But
we have had rulers equally as bad. We
have men now seeking to control in Ala
bama who are seeking negro votes to
allow them to do so.
What is it that confronts us? We
have a fusion of the populites and re-
publicaus-don't know which would be
in CONTROL in case they should be success
full Can't tell by looking at the ticket.
Think one about as bad as the other"
The speaker here gave review or the
history OF AldDdfd iCPopiiSebh
rule, concluding by saying:
'In those days we were not fighting for
money, but good government, and you
men now should put aside money mat
tiers and go to the polls and do your duty.
..If the populists get control of the state
government. will they give us free bal
lot and fair count? Have they done 1t
in counties where they have control?
Or will they make bonfires of ballots as
they did in Butler county in their pri-
maries because they were 50 corrupt?
Is this the character of free ballot and
a fair count for which they are clamor-
ing?"
1T will not try to make any capital
against Goodwin for voting for the ne
gro Murray against Mr.. Elliott. 1t was
true that Mr.. Elliott was SO clearly elect
ed that many republicans voted for him,
but Goodwin was allied to the negroes
as closely as a Siamese twin, and, there
fore, will not criticise him for voting
for the negro.
care YOU willing to trust such a man
with power to fill vacancies in our judi
ciary? Are you sound money democrats
willing to give him that power? (Cries
of mo- Then you must vote against
him.
Much as 1 differ with Captain john
ston. l have no doubt we will have a
democratic administration on democratic
lines and on the same lines which have
given the state credit the world over and
the people protection.
81 believe it has been absolutely unnec-
essary to make this appeal to the sound
money men of Jefferson county. You
see your duty as clearly as do, and 1
change 1t from an appeal to an assur-
ance that you know your duty and will
do It,"
Mr.. Clarke closed by saying that he
would be less than a man If he was NOT
grateful for the support given his can
ddacye by the people of Birmingham,
and repeated what he said in the state
convention, that IL the silver men but
keep step with the sound money we will
give a handsome majority to the state
and county tickets the first Monday In
August
DR.. Cunningham's Speech.
Introducing DIR. Cunningham Mr. Por-
ter asked. who said that oratory was
dead? Nebraska has her orator and so
has Alabama. I now have the pleasure
of introducing not Bryan of Nebraska,
but DR.. r. M. Cunningham of Alabama"
DIR. Cunningham complimented Col
onel Clarke on his able speech. He said
we must have honest and just laws right