Birmingham state herald., 1896-05-31
THE BUGLE CALL.


 CTS this morning the full text of the able speech of Captain Johnston, the demo- cratic nominee for governor, delivered yesterday a Leeds, in this county. The deliverance of the speech marks the for- mal opening of the campaign, which will be kept up until the polls close on the evening of the first Monday in August next.
 II is the speech of a statesman and patriot. The issues involved in the cam paign are clearly, ably distinctly and conclsely drawn. In plain, honest, straightforward, manly style and manner the people are informed of what they are to expect at the hands of the party which puts Captain Johnston forward as its standard bearer this time in case they do again this year, as they have been doing in Alabama since the overthrow of radi- calism in 1S74,. entrust the governmental affairs of the state to the democratic the only white mans party.
 Upon the questions with which the plat form of the party deals the speaker elab- crates. He makes plain, even to the most casual reader what the platform pledges mean, and how he will endeavor to carry them out after he is elected. The people are assured that the honor and credit of the state will be sacredly guarded and preserved. Extra efforts 10 turn the tide of immigration into Alabama are pledged. Everything that can be done to improve and perfect our public school system, consistent with reasonable taxation, Is promised. A government fair and just to every citizen and by and under the con- rrol of white men is assured.
 The position of the party and its nom- inee as regards the question of fair elec- tions is ably and concisely presented. Democracy's uncompromising opposition to the surrender of any part or parcel of the state of Alabama to the control of negroes is set forth in unmistakable lan- guage.
 The speaker vividly portrays the many virtues of the democratic party, together with the inestimable service 1t has rem
 dered the people. The gradual but eer- tain decay of the populite or third party, both in the state and nation, is clearly and conclusively shown.
 The bitter fruit plucked by North Car olina from the fusion tree is forcibly re- ferred to and particularly described, from which 1t will require no expert to draw a picture of what Alabama will harvest if that tree is permitted to take
 root in her consecrated soil.
 The position of the nominee on the financial question is made plain. While a firm believer in the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold at the ratio of 16 to l. he Is as much opposed to unsound money or 50 cent dollar as Is the most ardent advocate of the gold standard in the land Being honest, as he is in his own convictions on this as well as on all other questions, Captain Johnston is ready to, and does, freely attribute hon. esty to all those who differ from him. Periodically and wisely, as we'll as
 timely, he suggests that we must sur
 render something for the sake of unity and much for democratic success. A sug- gestion born of sentiment that can but
 receive the hearty approval of every lover of good government and believer in white supremacy in Alabama.
 As whole the opening speech of the campaign delivered by Captain Johnston yesterday will be found to contain the
 most complete and the very ablest pre- sentation yet made of the important is-
 sues that confront the people of Ala bama, and with which the voters should
 thoroughly acquaint themselves before casting their ballots in the August cleo tion. Any attempt at an editorial analy- sis of the speech in the limited space we have to allot to that subject can but fall far short of doing it justice. It must be read in full and carefully to be duly appreciated.
 The speech is a bugle call to the pa triotic, liberty loving democrats of Ala bama to march to the front take their places, gird on the marmor of truth, jus tice, fairness, good government, white supremacy and drive back the radical horde that has been lurking around on the outskirts of the democratic camp since it was hurled from place and pow CT in 1874, now emboldened because of minor differences in the ranks of the men who once, standing as one man, routed them is seeking to again fasten their poisonous fangs on the control of the state, which would be calamity and a disgrace that the white men of Alabama have not yet gotten ready to invite or aid in bringing upon their proud and matchless commonwealth.
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 Standing now behind MT. Goodwin and | l,t