Birmingham state herald., 1896-04-26
SPEECH OF CAPTAIN CROOK,
Temporary Chairman of the State Convention, Delivered April 21 on Calling the
 Convention to Order

Fellow citizens, fellow democrats and gentlemen of this conventions: I am not insensible of the fiattering compliment conveyed in calling upon me to preside as temporary chairman over your delib- erations. I recognize that it is a great and coveted honor, but in accepting it with grateful appreciation and entering upon the discharge of the duties incident to the position, 1 cannot disguise the diff fdence 1 feel. as the result of my unfa- miliarity with the rules that govern par liamentary practice and procedure. My embarrassment and misgiving on ac- count of my inexperience as a parliament tarian is, however, overcome in some degree when I reflect that 1 am in the household of Alabama democracy, in the inspiring presence of her accredited rep resentatives assembled in convention from every part of the state, and as I look into the cheerful faces of these young men, eager for the fray and equip ped with all the attributes of noble and exalted manhood for any emergency, and of these war-worn veterans, who, in a long, eventful and historic past, have born triumphantly the standard of de- mocracy over hard fought fields to grand and glorious victories, catch newborn inspiration and feel emboldened to un- dertake any service required of me by the grand old party to which I have ren- dered the unfaltering allegiance of a life time.
 As we come together fresh from the people, commissioned by them with a sa- cred trust, let us not forget that we are democrats and Alabamians, linked. to- gether in a common destiny and the bonds of a common citizenship, and should be influenced by no other consid- eration than an enlightened, fearless and conscientious discharge of duty.
 The gravity of the situation that con- fronts I1S GboI1d m exercise of wisdom and discretion, and that unfaltering courage of honest con- yiction that Scorns any compromise of principle and becomes stronger and more aggressive as difficulties multiply in number and increase in magnitude along the line of patriotic duty.
 As we con template the great unrest the universal disquietude, the unmeas- ured and widespread discord that is stir ring the mighty deep of popular senti- ment throughout the length and breadth of our country, we are admonished not to shut our eyes to the great importance of making such a deliverance in our plat form of principles as will meet the de- mands of waiting, intelligent and ex- acting constituency-a deliverance that will allay dissensior restore and promote harmony and cement the white people of Alabama in that union which in days gone by characterized and hallowed our relations as parties to the one great cove nanL, tAe cOnSlltullOn OI OuF IdtnerS, the palladium of our liberties. The old demo- cratic ship, that for more than a century has buffeted the waves and ridden tri- umphantly the turbulent pillows of surging and tempestuous political sea, has perhaps been borne by the current of popular dissensions out into the play grounds of factional storms and cyclones; but, if I mistake not the wisdom and temper of this convention, I am per suaded you will devise ways and means for rescuing her and anchoring her in those time-honored principles and tradi- tons of democracy around which the white people of Alabama in 1896 will mar shal their mighty columns, under the leadership of Joseph F. Johnston. and move on to a grand victory, amid the joyous acclamations of an united. har- monious and triumphant democracy.
 Fellow citizens, when our grand cid party Is fully intrenched in power, forti- fled by these democratic principles and inspired by ideas of truth, justice and right. I hazard nothing In saying that we