Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-22
A Significant Illustration of the Force O.
 His Argument

A Significant Illustration of the Force O.
 His Argument.
 Clayton, July 1S.-(Special Correspond ence.)-This has been a glorious day for democracy in old Barbour, a regular love feast of the genuine simon pure article. The Hon. Joseph F. Johnston addressed a large audience here this morning. The rain came down in torrents all the morning, as if shedding tears for the populite party, whose funeral was to be preached, and prevented many from coming. But by the hour of the speak ing the clouds had cleared away and the sun came out and by II o'clock the court house was packed to oyerffoWing. The audience was estimated to be about 800, composed largely of democrats, a few populites and about 150 negroes.
 Captain Johnston made one of the strongest arguments ever heard in this city and held his audience with the closest attention from beginning to end. He devoted most of his time in discuss ing the platform of the party, and par ticularly the financial plank and showed to his hearers that the gold men of this state were very foolish in trying to pre- cipitate a bolt. He paid his respects to the fusion ticket and showed that con- gIomeration of offfce-seel1ers up in no uncertain light To the negroes present
  ing to them the utter folly of being dic tated to as to how they should vote by set of white men who had quit the demo- cratic party for no other purpose than to ride into office on the colored mans vote. To this particular portion they paid strict attention and at the conclusion of Captain Johnston's speech Elder Shaw, one of the most intellectual and inf1uen- tial colored men in the state who is pre- siding elder of the Eufaula circuit and who has all along been advising the peo- pie not to vote for Johnston, arose and addressed the crowd of negroes, telling them that he had never been for John- ston, had never seen him before, but that on hearing his speech today he was so pleased with the man and his measures that he was firmly converted to Captain Johnston and his cause, and that he would consider 1t his duty to his people from now on to see that they stood by the organized nominees and to quit follow ing after bogus gods. He assured the white people that he and all of his race with whom he had any influence would vote the democratic ticket in August. This incident showed the strength of Captain Johnston's argument.
 Hon. A. H. Merrill, nominee for the leg islature, and Hon. H. D. Clayton, candi- date for congress, also addressed the crowd on the issues of the day and in- jected some sound democratic doctrine into the hearts of their hearers. They both paid glowing tributes to the integri- ty, fitness, capabil.ty and statesmanship of Captain Johnston and eulogfzed his fealty and devotion to the democratic party. They also paid fitting tribute to that standard bearer of democracy, Will liam Jennings Bryan, and assured the people that with such leaders the demo- cratic party would go to victory in No- vember Both of these speeches were closely listened to and will bear good fruit on the Sd day of August.
 Judge A. H. Aston, chairman of the county executive committee, Is jubflant over the outlook for such overwhelming success and thinks the majority will not be less than $500. With such a leader in this county as Judge Alston, one who for so long has directed and led the party to victory, you can put old Barbour down for a, larger majority than ever before.