Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-11
REPUBLICAN AID SOCIETY
Drops Into Mark Hanna'S Con-
Hibution Box.
FAREWELL, GOV. JONES
What Was Accomplished at the Lakeview
Meeting Last Night-Democracy
Is Still Ahead.

can Aid society created considerable in
terest among members of all political
parties, and the anxiety to hear from the
ex-governor's lips just how he expected
to blend bolt with his heretofore pure
and unterrifed democracy and party
fealty drew out about 500 persons, con-
sisting of about $50 real democrats, 100
republicans and $50 of the new coinage.
The meeting was called to order by Col
John P. Tillman, attorney for the Sloss
Iron and Steel company.
On motion Mr.. b. f. Moore, secretary
of the Moore e Handley Hardware COM
pany, was elected temporary chairman,
and Mr.. Thad Weatherly temporary sec
rotary.
On taking the chair Mr.. Moore said that
the gathering was for the purpose of per-
petuating true democracy and TO keep
the noble pedigree unsullied What we
need now," said the speaker, lis leaders
who love their country above party; men
who have the brains, courage and the
ambition to reject the so-called democrat
cy as recently promulgated and sent out
by the Chicago convention and the leader
with his cross of gold. We will not follow
the boy orator of the Platte nor the wo-
man orator of Kansas. When my party
sees fit to leave its time-honored princi-
pies l then claim the privilege to follow
the dictates of my own conscience. The
politician never joins the minorities; he
follows the crowd 1t is our purpose to
organize in order that Alabama may get
into line for the Indianapolis convention"
AT the conclusion of Mr.. Moore's speech
committees were appointed on organiza-
ton and resolutions.
While the committees were out prepar-
ing their reports Mr.. w. H. Kettig of the
Miner & Kettig Hardware company was
called on for speech, in which ne said
that he did not expect to be called on for
a speech, and was like Daniel Webster,
who believed in preparing his extempora-
neous speeches In advance. He said he
was democrat, but was not an anarch-
list; don't think 1t the duty of democrats
to indorse anarchy.
What is a bolter? A bolter is a man
who loves his country better than his
party. l am glad to see that Birmng-
ham has a great many boilers. l repudi-
ate the Chicago platform and the candi-
dates put forth"
At the close of Mr.. Kettig's speech the
committee on organization made its re-
port and recommended that Gen. Fred S.
Ferguson be elected permanent chairman
and Mr.. Thad Weather1y permanent sec
rotary.
The report of the committee was
adopted.
On taking the chair General Ferguson
said that he held that the franchise to
of any party, but for the benefit of ones
country; that he had always been DEM
ocrat and had raised his voice for his
party in every county in Alabama. He
voted for Captain Johnston because he
was his neighbor and his friend; that
delegates were sent to Chicago to repre-
sent the democracy and they sold out to
the populistS.
He stands on the platform of 1892, and
populism and hell cannot prevail
against 1t.
Gold money or sound money democrats
are not office seekers, but patriots.
General Ferguson introduced Governor
Jones, In which he paid the ex-governor
a high eulogy for his honesty and democ-
racy.
Governor Jones appeared a little dis
concerted on taking the stand, and the
nerve that has characterized him on
many stumps In Alabama when he was
preaching democracy and party fealty in
a manner that made the old hills re-
verberate with his eloquence and logic
for cHce failed him, and his stammer in
dicated that he felt the touch of awe
and wounded pride in bidding adeu
forever to that party for which he has
so long labored and which has honored
him to the utmost of his political ambi-
ton.
Governor Jones spoke for near two
hours, reviewing the Chicago platform
in almost its entirety, thrashing over old
straw on the financial question that Mr..
Coin has relegated to the primary de-
partment in his financial school.
He said IL any one should ask why he
was here tonight he would answer that
he always felt at home in Jefferson
county.
That he found when men differ there
are always fair judges. That he values
principles above name and country
above party.
1--WE shall fight this battle under the
white flag and argument shall be our
weapon. 1t is our firm purpose that our
state democracy shall live in the future,
and If it does not live 1t shall not be our
fault. Our state democracy is safe, and
we, therefore. without fear of harm con-
slider the strong demands that come from
Chicago. I speak to men who have al
ways been party men and believers in
party discipline, and further than this
they have never gone. But what are
parties but to give men the power to exc
cute policies into laws? We have never
maintained and never will maintain that
the voice of party is like the voice of
God to his children. 1t Is the creed of
the spokesman for office. PARTIES like
states, have constitutions which are the
fundamental law and cannot be violated.
We have the right to inquire If the Chi
cago platform comes within the limita-
ton of the constitution of the democratic
party. You ask were those delegates at
chicago democrats! Yes. Were they
anarchists? No. But they were swept
off their feet and trod down the time
honored principles of the democratic par
ty. Democrats and republicans alike
were admitted into the caucus. They
were captured by a wild speech"
The speaker here challenged the demec-
racy of Mr.. Bryan, and says he advocates
the same principles Coxey advocates, and
IL this combination succeeds Mr. Bryan
will bend every effort to carry out these
views
'"rhe party bowed down on its knees to
catch the votes of the lawless who will
camp on the trail to apply the torch: and
it is crime against the state. they tell
us. for the president to execute the laws
of the state to put down anarchy and
lawlessness.
How can these leaders ask democrats
to follow under the banner of the red
flag? There arc many things in the Chi
cago platform that are new and revolu-
tionary. The silver plank is one of the
least Objectionable features.
1--WE are. going to enter upon this CAM
paign in earnest, and, TRUST, without Bit
terness. AS grow older am more toll
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