Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-12
MARVEL CITY CELEBRATES
Thousands Participate in a Grand
Ratification Meeting.
IT WAS A BRILLIANT SIGHT
Men, Women and Children in Line-Emble-
matte Fioats-AbIe Addresses by Some
of the Elect.

JOuHSlOu, LII. NJ. SQHIlHS StdlC
senator-elect, atiye-elect j. j.
Altman and Capt. Frank p. O'Brien, the
new sheriff of Jefferson.
Captain Johnston was unavoidably pre-
vented from being present. The other
three speakers were on the ground, how
ever, and the old democratic flag was not
only held aloft, but every star was
worthily represented.
When the Birmingham excursion train
| arrived in the Marvel City the streets
were lined with visitors and procession
| was formed reaching for several blocks,
bearing Chinese lanterns, banners and
floats, followed by decorated vehicles of
| various descriptions bearing young men
and ladies, while in the rear marched
boys and girls wearing crowns of orna-
mental silver-patriotism personified.
On the floats were the following in
| scriptions:
ION to victory in November"
| Bryan for the people-Sewall for sill
| ver-The people want Bryan and Sewall
is to l."
Get on board, little children, there is
| room for more
''917-where we're the A. P. AS when
the lamp went out?"
| TOO late, Mr.. Jones; we all done know
you"
"'Whar we gwine, Tom Jones? Ter
see Mister Hanner"-410o.
1.-The bars are still down; come in,
| brother."-
| 'Prodiga1 son, come home-Joe john
Ston bids you. come"
1.-The democratic ship still launched on
| silver wave for Washington in March,
The officers of the BeSsemer Democratic
| club, who did much work in the recent
| election and who were instigators in the
| demonstrations last night, are as fol-
| lows: Il. ]. Cornwall, w. 7. Kennedy A.
J. Krebs, William Jackson, j. f. Doug
| las l.. J. Mattingly, j. c. Burgin.
Mr.. I. j. Cornwall presided at the
meeting. The crowd present was esti-
| mated at about 1000 and was composed
| of Observation-Disclosures of Bessemer.
| Capt. Il. j. Cornwall.
Capt. .J.Cornwall on calling the meet
|. ing to order said: I'VE have met
| here tonight to express our appreciation
| of the democratic party of Bessemer.
| | now have the pleasure of Introducing
| to you Col ]. J. Altman"
Colonel Altman.
| spoke as follows:
1--WE are here for jollification and glor-
/ flying over the result of the election
| and at the same time of defying any OPP
| position. 1 know that in the late contest
| the democratic party has had to contend
1 with many oppositions. The result was
| as expected. We knew we were right
| and dared to stand by our position"
Mr. Altman rehearsed the history of the
recent campaign, paying short eulogy
| to the various candidates on the ticket
| stating that the democratic nominees
| were made by vote of the people, while
not more than 200 met and put out the
| fusion ticket. He dwelt upon the charges
| waged against Captain O'Brien on ac-
| count of his religion stating that notice
| had been served upon some of the candi-
| dates that unless they would renounce
| Captain O'Brien they would not receive
| the democratic support. In reply they
| stated that rather than one of the demo-
cratic nominees should be defeated they
| preferred that all go down in defeat.
Always with victory" said the speak
| err comes responsibility, and inasmuch
! as the people of Alabama have placed this
| responsibility in the hands of the demo-
cratic party, let us not treat that respon-
| sibility lightly, but endeavor to do our
duty to the very best of our ability.
For myself l can only say that, SO far
| as In me lies, shall endeavor to do my
| duty.
"Boys, stand together, do your duty
and victory will be yours in the future"
Captain O'Brien spoke as followsi
Captain O'Brien.
Looking back over a period of thirty
| five years, this is the proudest period of
| my life. 1t was an unwise attack that
has been made upon me, but the good
| book has said He doeth all things
WE'LL
81 want to extend my thanks to Besse-
mer, for to them in great part is due
my victory
1.-THE fight have gone through with
has resulted in a democratic victory; yea.
more, 1t was a victory of all parties, for
hold that the fight made upon me was
| fight upon a sect who have never failed
| to do their duty. Point to me Catholic
who has ever been 9. Benedict Arnold or
an Aaron Burr.
ION the 1st of September / will assume
| the duties of the sheriff of Jefferson
county, and assure you will endeavor
| to do my duty to the democrats, republic
ans and populists alike without fear or
| favor"
l.. Y. I,Ipscomb.
Mr.. Lipscomb said eff there are feel
fngs of gratitude over our election of last
| Monday, what do you expect Is the feel
ings of one who has ever labored for the
cause of Bessemer? The returns from
Bessemer express more than words
from me. I hope never to see again my
people divided, but united, and to do ever
our duty as citizens. / have no enmfty
against my opponent. invite him with
others to come back, and If you will come
back we will never taunt you with what
you have done in the past.
81 have been twice honored by the
| democratic party of Jefferson county. yet
| have felt it was in respect to your
wishes that I received this honor, and
not that 1t was due to my services.
81 go to the legislature not to rep
resent any one man, but my whole people.
| love every section of Alabama-every
brook, every stream, every city and ev-
cry hamlet. But my duty first is to my
people, and for them shall be my first
and best efforts"
r. M. Cunningham.
He said: II am glad that was hon.
ored. l am glad that the first breath
that pressed my lips was waited upon
the breezes from the rose and the lily of
our beloved southland. l am glad to
claim my home in the grand old county
of Jefferson, and I am glad that we can
claim in this county the beautiful Mar
vel City of Bessemer. / am glad, re-
gardless of personal feeling.
I'VE are here to rejoice because we
have elected man of our own common
wealth for governor and man of our
own county. / am glad we are here to
rejoice at the election of the only perse-
cuted man on our ticket, Hon. Frank P.
O'Brien.
1--WE are not here to knock down and
drag out those who voted against us,
for we want them to vote for US in No
vember.
II want to say to cur populist friends
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