Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-14
SHOULDER TO sHorrr,DER

NOW tndt the democratic party have
spoken at their primary elections and
declared by a very decisive voice that
their standard-bearer for governor shall
be Joseph r. Johnston, it is in order for
every good citizen to accept the result
bravely and loyalty, and to prepare him
self to enter upon the great campaign
which is to test the supremacy of democ-
racy in Alabama. Let us forget the past
except as an incentive to renewed labor
for our leader! He is now the leader of
all true democrats, and is entitled to
the active and even enthusiastic support
OF every man who voted at the prima-
res. Mr. Clarke and his friends made a
brave fight for the cause they represent
ed. They marshaled grand array of
our people, and would probably have
snatched the victory from a less popular
opponent than Captain Johnston. We
have no further criticism of the candi-
date or the cause which lost the fight.
If any issue remains, as no doubt there
is, it should be relegated to the rear and
the field left open for united and har-
monious democracy The State Herald
while it has battled with all its power for
the success Of the man we deemed
date, has nothing but the kindest feel
ing for Mr.. Clarke and the highest admi-
ration for his distinguished powers His
defeat does not retire him from public
life. The district which he has repre-
sented so ls1g and with such signal abil-
lty in congress gave him the other day
an almost unanimous vote. 1t has stood
by him faithfully, and will no doubt de-
mand him again for their leader at the
congressional election of November. The
State of Alabama cannot spare the public
services of such man as Richard III
Clarke. If he does not happen to agree
with all of us upon every subject. we
know that he is always honest in the
position he assumes and always strict in
the maintenance of his position. Such a
man is an ornament to public life and an
honor to his people.
In the course of the recent contest for
leadership much has been said upon the
streets. upon the stump and by the press
which 1t would have been better to have
left unsaid. The State Herald has NOT
been entirely innocent. Being human and
actuated by the passions which move the
people, 1t has doubtless said things which
were offensive We ask forgiveness and
beg that any one who has felt aggrieyed
at anything that has appeared In this
paper will forgive and forget 1t. Es-
pecially do we beg our brethren of the
democratic press to blot out all of our
transgressions and to shake hands with
us over reunited democracy. The par
ty now needs the earnest and cordial
support of every son. There must be no
looking back at the chaff that the wind
has blown behind us, but only forward to
the fields of waving grain which stand
| ready for the democratic SICKLE
The contest before US will try the cour-
| age and endurance of our people. Every
| voter is needed, and every leader must
! take the stump for the common cause.
| 1t is no longer question what the par
| ty shall do when it wins, but whether
| the party shall win or not. On this lat
| ter question we must hear now from the
| same platform Johnston and Clarke,
| Tompkins and Bankhead, Jones and
| Stallings and the other distinguished
men of both factions who have labored
so assiduously for their theories and
men. When the state convention ad-
| journs next week and the trumpet of
| battle is sounded, we democrats must all
| keep in touch and march straight for the
guns of the enemy.