Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-22

The old guard was there.
 The unconVerted democracy was there. The rock-ribbed, unterrified democracy gathered en masse at O'Brien's opera house last night to greet Jefferson coun- tvs distinguished son, Joseph F. John ston.
 By an early hour the spacious audito- rum of the opera house was packed with representative citizens of Birmingham and Jefferson county. finer audience of manful democrats never greeted an honol-ed fellow-partisan than that which last night welcomed back to his home and bade God speed in his fit and honor able aspiration "red-headed Joe John ston.'' as the admiring speakers called him.
 The night was cold even to rawnsss, but that did not keep the house from be- ing filled from pit to dome. The sold ar ray of masculine faces was me slght, but it was out of sight when one paused to let his glance rest upon the charming groups of Birmingham women who occu- pied the boxes. These seemed to enjoy the speaking quite as much as their brothers and sweethearts, joining in the applause with features radiant with pleasure.
  o'clock the curtain rang up, there sat with Captain Johnston the following gen. tlemen:
 B. F. Roden, J. F. B. Jackson, P. L. Mynatt, George M Morrow, William Hood, J. P. Tillman, John White, B. J. w. Tomlinson, T. l.. McGowan, R. l.. Thornton, Dr. Jones, MT. simon, c. B.. Powell, s. l.. Robertson, pr. Palmer, Dr. John Gillespie. M. M Williams, Felix Blackburn. Ar thur Crowder, B. B. Conner. l.. Cunningham, W. H. Stanley, Judge J. M. Arnold, D. A. Green, Fergus w. Me Carthy, N L. Miller, Henry Tompert, J. B. Gibson, Sam Will John, l.. A. May W. B. Copeland M. Well, Judge N B. Feaein. J. w. Bush, John Haran, E. l.. Higdon, A. J. O'Keefe, w. F. Underwood, R. P. Wetmore M. M. Boggan, H. l.. un- derWood, Y P Lipscomb, w. c. Garrett, w. w. Jackson, J. w. O'Neill, w. Il. Wade.
 The disclosure of the favorite, son of Jefferson county surrounded by his friends was the occasion for very hearty and prolonged applause 4
 Ex-Mayor A. o. Lane soon stepped for ward and made an address, which was freduently greeted with applause that rose into a great wave of enthusiasm when he introduced Captain Johnston.
 Fellow Citizens: However willing I may be- on fit occasions, to fight repupll- cans. I am always reluctant to hght democrat But as the combat has been forced and I must fight democrat, l find great relief in the fact that the con. con- test is against one who recants Tn 1850 what he said at the convention or my great party at Chicago in 1s92 Give ns a democrat for Gods sake, don't give us a mugwump' I draw additional com fort from the reflection that it is against one who meets the kindly, generous greet ing of fellow democrat With frown lh- stead of smile and comes to stir up strife, claiming it to. be for the sake or
 Now. I do not find fault with MT. Clarke for his change of heart from the monetary views which he held Tn com mon with all other Alabama democrats from 1873 to 1893. However true 1t Is that we all. including MT. Clarke, denounced Holm sherman for twenty years for de- monetizing silver in 1873, yet MT. Clarke has a perfect right to change front ana now say silver was not demonetized Tn 1873. or if it was, 1t was rightly done. He has a perfect right to become natter day saint on the money question, but l challenge his right to act ugly towards a fellow democrat for sticking to the old faith He reminds me of case In the recorderS court on one occasion. Among the prisoners there sat negro girl with
  teeth as white as pointer dogs. She was charged with disorderly conduct. When asked by the court whether she was guilty or not guilty, she said: Yes, cir Is guilty" The officer said there were aggravating circumstances. This necessftated proof It developed that she had become latter day saint and when her father and brothers refused to follow her example and desert the old faith they had loved so long, she "cussed" out the family and never came to her senses un- til a policeman rounded her up in the Cuard house When asked if she had behaved this way and why, she said yes. that she had had change of heart" and as her family could not see it the way she did, she felt 1t her duty to ''cuss 'em out" 'sYes," said the judge, "and I costs" There are aggravating circum- stances in MT. Clarke's case, and tell Eou by the time this campaign is over, fhe .blue-eyed boy" will wish from the bottom of his heart he had never heard of Jobn sherman or Wall street.
 am glad that in this contest follow the leadership of man who is broad enough to undertake to welcome to his own Shome a brother democrat, even if that democrat is rival for the favor and suffrage of his party. rejoice to support plain, generous, red-headed Joe Jonn- ston. who is always at home to every democrat. whether he favors the yellow metal or the white and the yellow both love to follow him because know that in any contest between a democrat and a radical he will always say to the demo- crat: Here is my hand; here Is my heart" and to the radical, "Get thee be- hind me, Satan"
 had the pleasure, and. might add.