The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-11-12
Mr.. Webster's Address.

FELLOW CITIZENS:-I have up to this
point kept out Of this canvass and in
tended to stay out except it was as it
has always been, the privilege of all
my friends to know how 1 stand on any
question of public interest. 1 have
never concealed my views, whether
popular or unpopular, on any subject
which affects the people, and hence the
article in the Independent signed
democrat" which l wrote and for
which / am responsible. But it has
occurred to me that as I am so closely
identified with this people, and have so
many friends whose liberty and in
terests are involved, that can't excuse
myself from open expression on the
ground that am nonresident of the
corporation; especially as others on the
opposite side take different view and
therefore at the request OF many people
[ have come tonight to express my
views as any citizen would, and as their
spokesman, for they seem to need one
as most of the lawyers are on the Oppo-
site side Of the people, in this matter.
Then, looking at this from a stand
point of reason, what is the real issue
in this canvass? What is meant by Re-
form Party? Whose administration do
they seek to reform? Are they not al
ready in powerP And is it their own
government they wish to reform, or
some one else; or is it only high
sounding name they wish to rally un-
der and perpetuate their power; or is
there something back of the name that
they seek to enforce under the name OF
reform?
Taking, therefore, the thing fol
granted that they do not seek only pow
er to rule, or the loaves and fishes OF
office, and giving them credit for what
they claim, what is it they seek? II
seems to me that to this there can be
only one answer, and that is they pro-
pose to enforce the doctrines and teach
ings of their respective churches with
municipal power, at the risk of tramp
ling on the liberty of others.
Since the dark ages the attempt has
been made at almost all times to con
troll the liberty of thought and actor
of others. There seems to be an over
weaving desire on the part of some PEG
pie to rule others, and they are neve
happy unless it is in their power to or
der somebody around and this spiri
pervades all classes from the hlghes
railroad magnate who sits behind his
desk and issues his orders, down to tn
negro in the cornfield who beats ant
controls his mule.
But opposed to this we have the in
domitable spirit, courage and energy o
the American people, who will cry on
and enforce the rights of liberty. l
was for this they left the mothe
country and for this they fought an
established the United States as fire
and independent government. TIL
principle is adopted as one of the funda
mental ideas of our constitution, and
engrafted in the organic law of the Ian
and is copied in our state constitution
which reads as follows:
ARTICLE 1.
, SECTION 3. Right of WOrship.-That al
l-men have natural and indfeasible RICH
to WORSHIP Almighty God according to tn
! dictates of their own conscience; that n
man can of right, be compelled to attend
J erect, or support any place of worship, o
maintain and minister against his consent
that no human authority can, in any cas-
whatever, control or interfere with tn
rights OF conscience; and that no prefer
ence shall ever be given, by law, to any r.
ligious establishment or mode cmodes" 4
) const OF 1881 OF worship,
SEC. 4. No religious or political test
That no political or religious test, othe
than an oath to support the constitution {
the United States and this state, shall eve
be required as a qualification to any offic
, or public trust under this state.
*The constitutions of 1873 and 1884 are tn
same as this, except where the difference
are indicated and pointed out. This articl