Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-08
The GERMAN AMERICANS,
Headed by Weber'S Reed and
Brass Band,
CONGRATULATE THE ELECT
Hon. Richard H. Fries Makes Two Strong
Speeches and Reads Patriotic Resolu-
tons-Able Replies.

the largest and strongest organizations
in the state, and composed, as its name
indicates of Germans who have made
this city and county their homes, and
whose democracy is undisputed, took
last night for congratulating the success
full candidates in the recent election
At 8 o'clock they assembled at their
hall and heard a report from the execu-
tive board, after which, headed by Web
er's band, they marched down Twentieth
street to First avenue, out First avenue
to Nineteenth street, up Nineteenth
street to the Florence hotel corner, where
Col. Erwin Schillinger, who was In COM
mand, ordered a halt. Here the band,
encircled by the members of the union,
serenaded Hon. J. j. Altman, one of the
successful candidates for the legislature.
After q stirring air three cheers were
proposed for Colonel Altman and they
were given with a will.
The order total in was then given
and the march was made out Second
avenue to Eighteenth street and up
Eighteenth street to Capt. Frank P.
O'Brien's residence, where the newly
elected sheriff was serenaded.
Hon. Richard H. Fries, acting as
spok Sman for the union, then addressed
Captain OBrien in an able speech. He
referred to the race made by Captain
O'Brien as being of three fold impor-
lance, viz: political, personal and re-
lgious. Political because it was vic
tory for democracy; personal because
it proved that despite heavy odds his
personal character and reputation, too
well known to be disputed, had been sus-
tanned despite all efforts to break it
down; religious because it proved that
the constitution of the United States,
which guaranteed to all men the right to
worship God as they chose, was still dear
to the citizens of the country. Mr.. Fries
spoke of the admiration of the German
American union had for him and the
strong Endorsement they gave him at the
polls. He then read the following reso-
luton adopted by the union:
At a meeting of the executive commit
tee of the German-American union held
this evening the following resolutions
were adopted:
Whereas, At the recent election for
state and county officers the democratic
party obtained an overwhelming vic
| tory; and
Whereas, The German-American union
| of this county gave its solid vote to Capt.
| Joseph F. Johnston, Capt Frank p.
| O'Brien, Dr. r. M. Cunningham and the
| balance Of the democratic ticket; and
Whereas, We believe that the German
| American union contributed largely to
| the success of the state and county DEM
| ocratic ticket; and
| whereas, We, as citizens of this state,
recognize and realize the grave import
ance of the election just passed and its
| beneficial results in behalf of religious
| and political liberty in our county and
| white supremacy of this state; therefore
| be it
Resolved, That the German-American
| citizens of this county, represented by
| this union, hereby congratulate the con-
| serva tive and patriotic people OF this
state and county on their glorious vic
! tory in behalf of good government, and
| we extend our congratulations to Capt.
| Joseph f. Johnston, Capt. Frank L.
| O'Brien, DR.. r. M. Cunningham, Col. j.
| J. Altman and their successful colleagues
| on the democratic ticket, and feel that
liberal and true American policy will be
| the sole ambition of their administra-
| ton
The resolutions were received with
great applause.
Captain O'Brien then stepped to the
front, and, addressing the president,
| speaker and members of the union, said
the honor conferred upon him was one
which words failed him to express; that
he was deeply grateful for the kindly ex-
pressions they all knew, andStwas need
less for him to tell.
The fact that he was elected to the high
and important office of sheriff or Jeffer-
son county, despite the bitter and I'M
warranted attacks made upon him be-
cause of his religious convictions, proved
that true Americans repudiated those
claiming to be such who wished to deny
all American citiZens the right accorded
them by the constitution to worship God
according to the dictates of their lown
conscience. He knew that those present
and whom he was addressing upheld the
constitution and showed 1t by their man
ly fight for him, for which he would be
ever grateful.
He closed his remarks by saying he
would discharge the duties of his office
with favor toward none, and strictly ac-
cording to law and to the best of his abil-
ity.
Three cheers and Dixie" followed
with a general handshalSing, and then
the procession again formed and
marched out Fourth avenue to Nine
tenth street. up Nineteenth street to
Sixth avenue, out Sixth avenue to Twen-
| ty-second street, up to Seventh avenue
and out to the residence of DR.. R. NJ
Cunningham.
Here Mr. Fries, as speaker for the oc-
casion, after a few preliminary remarks
by Mr.. Emil Lesser, president of the
union, paid the senator-elect high COM
pliment, saying he was the choice of the
union in the primary and at the polls
He also read the resolutions adopted by
the union.
DR.. Cunningham then came forward
and made a magnificent address, in
which he pledged himself to keep every
promise made by him during his can
vass. He said that all Americans were
of foreign extra elton, himself having
Irish, English and Scotch-Irish blood in
his veins. He paid handsome tribute
to the foreign born citizens of Jefferson
county and expressed a desire to see
more of them In the city.
He then brought, his life partner, as
he termed Mrs. Cunningham, forward
and introduced her to the assemblage.
Mr. Fries proposed three cheers for the
senator-elect which were given with a
hearty YELL He then proposed the same
for Mrs Cunningham, which were also
responded to.
The union then marched into the city
and, after serenading Mr.. Lesser, the
president of the union dispersed.
The union did not go out to the resi-
dence of Governor-elect Johnston, as
they had been informed by him that he
would not be at home during the even
ing, but had informed them that he
would take great pleasure in meeting
them in their hall on some future occa-
sion.
Democrats Indorse Pops.
Hutchinson, KS. Aug. THE demo-
cratic part of the populist fusion was
carried out at $3.50 o'clock this morning,
when a-dozen men, representing the rem