Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-22
ANSWERS cLARKEs OBJECTIONS

the amusement, few nights ago in this house .o hear MT. Clarke exploit his own prowess and eulogize his own powers. He spoke as if he was roaring lion go- ing about seeking whom he might de- Vour. He seemed to have forgotten that he had even ever heard of Bryan of Ne braska. He was introduced by former citizen of Kentucky who wants to repu- diate our matchleSs Morgan and our gift ed Pugh as anticipated senators because, forsooth. they dare to do their own think ing, and refuse to sneeze when certain rotund gentleman at the White House dips snuff. That seems to be Kentucky way, judging from what is now taking place in the Kentucky legislature. And the blue-eyed boy shook him warmly by the hand, as if to say: Right you are, my boy; them's my sentiments!' Now, however we'll that style may go in Ken lucky, it is not suited to the undefled democratic climate of Alabama. If being true to conscience makes a senator anti quated I say give us more of the an tique!
 After the sound of the tin horn the oth- CT night, which goes in some quarters hereabouts under the pseudonym of bu- gle blast, was asked by a Clarke man if I did not really think it was great speech. I told him yes, it was bound to be, constructed as it was; that it had self audation for it's base, and abuse of his rival for public favor for~its superstruc- tufe, ana IL was topped out WltH d Te- hash of Josiah PattersonS threadbare speech on the money question delivered in this house about twelve months ago. By the way, speaking of Josiah, reminds me that he has been summoned to Nor gan county to try to keep af1oat the sink ing fortunes of the ''blue-eyed boy of des- tiny" Help me, Cassius, or l sink! Well, he is going to sink whether Josiah Cassius helps him or not.
 MT Clarke's main grievance seems to be that Captain Johnston dares to diff fer from the president Oh, you bold, bad manif Have you forgotten the Brit ish maxim, "The king can do no wrong?" If this dogma is to stand; if error is to rule and find no protest from the sover- eign members of our party; if we are to praise as right what our consciences declare is wrong; if we are to sit supinely by and say to friend and foe, we approve the wrong, with what face or grace can we go before the country and ask support for the democratic party? How can we promise to reform grievances which in the doing, met no remonstrance at our hands?
 I want to saw right here and in this presence, if anyone expects me to sit tamely by and see a democratic president appoint republican to the chief office in the cabinet; and see him, approaching the fourth year of his term, with four fifths of the offices still held by republi- cans, and see him despise the counsels of the many great and good leaders in our party and repel them from the White House; and see him refuse to even vote for David B. Hill, who was forced to take the gubernatoral nomination of New York by the unanimous voice of his party; and see Kentucky threatened with republican senator. when everybody knows that one word from the president could elect Joe Blackburn within an hour; I repeat, if anyone expects me to be silent and apparently willing wit ness to such breaches of party fealty, without one word of protest he need not lie awake at night and watch to find that he is most wofully mistaken
 And another thing: I am dead against saddling bonded interest-bearing debt of $250, 900 on this country because Carlisle, following the footsteps of Eos ter, construes "coin" to mean "gold." We are not in need of new dictionary right now. Worcester and Webster are good enough for me. We need a Manning. with the courage to repeat to Wall street: Bring on your coin obligations and the government will pay you in silver" This would stop the footing of the treasury inside of twenty-four hours
 MT. Clarke disclaims any intention to criticise the state executive committee. For my part, I prefer open words of warfare to subtle inuendo I never did fancy shaking hands with a man when I 1 could see a dagger sticking out from
 
 that subject reminds me of certain ho- tel keeper I heard of once A traveller on horseback inquired where he could put up for the night. He was told of this hotel mans house, but his informant | stated that the landlord would worry him to death asking questions Well" said the traveller, 'I am tired. and will | take my chances on that" So he went | there, and straightway the proprietor | began to ply him with questions as to | where he was from, whither he was go- | ing. when he started and the size of his l family, and so on. Finally he discov- | cred that the traveller had but one ear. and he asked him how came it off. Well" said the traveller" "I will an- swer that if you will ask me no more | questions" and it was so agreed. | "Well,' said the traveller, 'ft was bitten | off" Then the hotel man was in a sorry | plight. His curiosity now rose to a high. pitch. He had solemn1y promised, and he did not exactly like to break his prom tigation a little further fin some way. So, as he gazed fntent1y at the traveller, he said: "Well, have promised not to | ask any more questions. and reckon ought to keep my promise, but will be d-d If I wouldn't like to know what bit it off" Now. MT. Clarke may not ex- -actly curse the executive committee, but 1t Is as plain as plain can be that he would like to do 1t, and will venture If he could hear some other fellow do it he would wear a smile on his face as broad as palmetto fan.
 Now could not be expected to discuss the financial question on this occasion, but want to say that. considering the