Birmingham state herald., 1896-07-01

Mobile, June 30.--(Special)-In the midst of fireworks and music by Drey's brass band Capt. Joseph F. Johnston and the accompanying committee and pr. R. M. Cunningham tonight at o'clock aseended the platform that had been erected by the county executive committee on St. Joseph street, and faced the largest audience that had as- sembled in Mobile in many years The speakers stand faced Bienville square and the entire area between Dauphin and St. Joseph street and all the near by balconies were filled with eager citi- zens, with a considerable sprinkling of ladies. Among the gentlemen on the stand was Hon. R. H. Clarke.
 MT. E. l.. Russell, chairman of the county executive committee, opened the proceedings and said that the audience had assembled there to hear two of the most eloquent sons of Alabama He re- ferred in terms of denunciation to Good wyn, and compared Johnston a citizen of honor to the position. Goodwin would give government of mockery. On the other hand Joseph Johnston would give true and protective government such as was intended by the sacrifice of their fathers. MT. Russell introduced as chair man MT. J. c. Clark, and paid a high tribute to that distinguished and honor.
 
 A great cheer greeted the announces ment. which was repeated when Mir. Clark advanced to the front of the plat form. The chairman had no word at his command to convey the sense of pleasure which it gave him to preside. In behalf of the immense gathering he welcomed the next governor of Alabama to Mobile. He was growing old and weary, but never tired. He knew what he wanted to say, but his immense mass of work as iI.lD IL. speech commensurate with the occa- sion. He would talk to his Mobile friends every day in the week on transportation or freight, but they were there to listen that night to the sober truth by the man who had been chosen by the good old democracy of Alabama, and there was no doubt of his election te the post for which he had been selected. Only the majority remained to be determined.
 Every man present knew that the safety of his little ones, wife and family, depended on the return of Johnston at just election, who will religiously re- gard the rights of every man, irrespeo- tive of color if returned.
 MT. Clark read from long list of rea- sons why the captain should be returned as governor of Alabama, each of which was received with enthusiasm by the crowd. The speaker asked if there was any man present who doubted Captain Johnston would be elected at the August 
 by cries or mop "nor'
 why" continued the speaker, that man might as well doubt that he would get milk at his mothers breast when he is sucking at 1t all the time. He would not know that hide of Goodwin if he saw it in tan yard" The speaker did not know him personally, but whether he is known not the question is who Is the best man. Goodwin compared with Johnston is as ignorant of the affairs of fl9 state of Alabama the of RnS- sia is of Mobile. The state requirements were against the populists of Alabama being true citizens. Their length of ser- vice had not been long enough.
 Captain Johnston was introduced as soldier, patriot and speaker and the next governor of Alabama, and was greeted with cheers. Captain John ston thanked the people of Mobile for their demonstration He had an idea that he was good man for governor, but after listening to MT. Clark he felt sure of it. He related an incident of converse tion with Colonel Clark in re- gard to the deepening of the harbor chan mel, and declared himself in such terms that each sentence was received with cheers.
 Leaving that subject he gave out that he was of old democracy. He was not there to present any new theories of gov ernment, but the same. doctrines of Jeffer- son, which was the only true democracy.
 Tl was a grand thing that this great faith had descended to them from father to son. Many people had risen to oppose it, but they had been gathered to their fathers. If democracy was subdued 10 would rise again like Lazarus. He was not there to give them anything new.
 In regard to the currency question he said there were men north who thought that those who believed like he did were unworthy of consideration, but he as- serted that they were just as honest in their intentions. Captain Johnston crlt- icised the aciion of local paper in mak- ing abstracts from a speech which he had made before without giving any ex- plantation. The speaker was in the po- sition of the OK driver who drove his team through what appeared to be very bad place in the road. The driver had to use great force, but he realized after he crossed the place that he had more sense than the oxen. Gold standard men might be as stubborn as the oxen, but he knew that as a silver man he had more sense. Now the silver question will be settled by the great democratic party. Without a doubt at Chicago there would be a declara ton for free silver.
 In referring to Mir. Russell Captain Johnston likened him, in burst of hu- nor, to the calf that had to be induced to take foster mother but once there he had to be pulled away by the tail.
 The speaker then dealt with the bi- metallic question and fully explained what was meant by equal parity and the advantages to be gained by it's adop- ton. He did not disagree with those who compared the proposed monetary sys- tenn with other countries, but they should choose good countries. There was no nation on earth that could flood this country with silver. But the silver of this country he wanted to see come not in Presbyterian or Methodist sprlnklings, but in Baptist deluge. That was what was wanted to revive industries and de- pleted commerce. Why should not tho ->------~~~~~~~---~~~>-~<
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