Birmingham state herald., 1897-05-14
GOVERNOR J0HNSTON'S
Eloouent and Patriotic Address of Vel come Before the Ca tholic Knights or
 America, at Mobile, May Il.

Following Is the address of welcome de- livered by Gov Jclans. o.s before the Cath olic Knigh ls of America, at Mobile, on May Il. The governor was introduced by MT Sullivan. His excellency was given an ovation when he arose in response to MT Suihvan's introduction, and after the applause subsided, he spoke as foi- lows:
 THE GOVERNORS ADDRESS.
 Gentlemen of the Convent.on-Speaking for the good people of Alabama. know voice their sentiments in welcoming uo our borders represen ta tlves, coming from every section of the union; of an associa- tion whose charitable distributions 10 widows and orphans have In eght years exceeded seven nifl4on dollors. (Ap- plause.) -z---.
 You do not come like the knights of old. wi;h nodding plume and poised lance 10 redress grievances, but you. come with etxcst@u s,-ven million dIiiars. (Ap- peace in your hearts and good will to all.
 Whatever difference may exist amongst us In regard to creed or doctrine, the time has past when we should 'harbor in our hearts anything oiher than broad and cathcl.c charity for all who woiship the one living and omn!potent God-+the Fla th- CT of us all. (Applause)
 As civilizatio spreads and educat ton
  and we learn more and more to tolerate homes, differences of opinion.
 It is not possible for the battle arred heroes who followed OCT bloody fields, the f1agus of Pat Cleburne and Be;aure- gard, or served under%Semlf mlffesss4that mas ter of the eea-or, when disabled by wounds or disease. felt The tender mlIds-' trations of the Sisters of Charity, to har- Dor unreasoning prejudice against a faith and creed ppofessed by these splendid sof- diers and sadntly women a-5s-
 Thank God, here in Af4bama no witches have been burned (applause) and no state church has been established; l; men are mea sured by their merits, wo- men are honored and freedom of speech and of the press and the right to wor- ship God according Ito the dictates of their own consciences is secured to all. (Applauseo No proscriptive laws mar our statute books. Ma tive or foreign, Protestant or Catholic, have equal opportunities in the race for life. and we stand united against oppression and for home. rule for all. (Applause)
 ,Methinl1s the spirit of that -poet-priest, whose home was here. and whose patri- otic songs stirred the southern heart as no other singer of this generation, hovers over us today, bidding. you generous well come to l.fe homes and hearts of people who without regard to creed loved him living, and, dead, fevere his memory. (Applause.) e,rovs er
 The breezes of our gulf. fragrant with the perfume of the magnolia and the rose, whisper welcome" 1..i1t is Look into the eyes of our lovely women, and if you live, there will you see re- f1ected "welcome." (Applause) Press the hands of the men of Alabama and you will feel generous welcome. |" The sun from his imperial throne by day will send down genial rays to ex- press his welcome" Sss The Southern Cross set in the heavens by night will henceforth testify the well ! come that greeted your coming and re- greeted your departure.
 May your stay be pleasant: may your