Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-31
A REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.

Now that we are coming down the last
quarter stretch of the gubernatorial can
vass it is we'll to review the situation
coolly and dspassionately Brushing
aside all the personalities and claptrap
which have been thrust into the cam
paign we are confronted by few clearly
defined propositions which must decide
our vote at the PRIMARIES.
In the first place, 1t is admitted that
for the period of our history antedating
1898 the people of Alabama have through
their platforms and by the voice of their
representatives declared invariably in ia
vor of a double metallic stan
dard of equal dignity and power
as legal tender The effort on the
part of one faction of our party is to
reyolutionize that ancient doctrine-to
convert the people from their ancient
democratic faith and to declare as heresy
that which a few years ago every dem
ocrat pronounced to be orthodox. Cap
tain Johnston offered himself as candi-
date for governor. On two former occa-
sions he had shown great and growing
strength. In every respect he was thor
oughly equipped for the office. There
was no opposition to him upon personal
grounds. The only objection to his can
didacy was on the part of those who i'm
agined that the nomination of a silver
man would be vote of condemnation
upon the views of the administration.
That this objection was not considered
vital is evidenced by the fact that Gov
ernor Oates, who is not single gold
standard man, and who did not agree
with the president, was nominated and
elected governor in 1894, and that the gen.
eral assembly of that year reelected Sem
ator Morgan to the senate after his stub
born contest against the administration
In the unqualified repeal of the purchas-
ing clause of the Sherman law. 1t was
not considered vital when the Advertiser
opposed Mr.. WHY for congress in the
interest of Mr.. Stallings, pronounced
silver man.
To admit that such an objection is vital
Is to read out of the democratic party
and to ostracize from office all who think
with Senator Morgan and the great body
of our southern senators and representa-
tives in congress-.
Governor Oates refused to lend him.
self to crusade against the democrats
who believe in remonetizing silver as a
standard money. He did not regard it as
duty to make such an issue and to bat
tie against the silver democrats. 1t was
then brought to Mr.. Clarkes attention
that unless the issue were made his cleo
ton to the senate might be endangered
He presented himself as candidate,
not because he wished the office. but SIM
ply to hold together the advocates of the
administration policy and to draw the
lines in the nominations for members of
the general assembly. His fear was that
If the field were left to Johnston the con-
cession would carry with it the legisla-
tive nominations. To prevent this the
democracy of the state has been plunged
into an internecine struggle. Johnston
has been attacked as an enemy of the
administration, as an enemy of his party
and as one who would corrupt his party
by seeking assistance from recruits. The
Walls of administration wrath have been
poured upon his head, and all because he
stands just where his party has stood
for generation.
The case would have been different If
the two candidates had presented them
selves upon equal terms although with
different views. But here we have Mr..