The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-19
Asphant for the Senatorial TOga Address the Popuacs in Ad-
ncacy Of Their Respective Claims

the union. If 1t should so happen that the
people of Alabama indorse his views more
than mine should not be elected. If am
not elected, all that I shall say to you is
that I shall take my place in the great
democratic ranks as heretofore"
ExpIai ed ais Position
Here Governor Johnston explained his
position upon the constitutional convention
bill. He said that he thought it better for
people to pass directly upon this question
than for 1t to be left with a convention.
He said that 1t was voted upon by ma
jority of the democrats of both houses. and
that while he did not agree with all its
measures, he was not disposed to override
the will of the people like Cleveland. He
was willing to trust the people themselves
in the matter, and said that not one-ffth
of the democrats of the state responded to
the call which was made for the convention
to elect delegates. The delegates met and
proceeded to put shackles on the hands of
democracy, so he called an extra session Of
the legislature, after consulting with the
leaders of the party. He said that he did
not want any constitutional rights con-
ferred upon him by fraud. He dealt with
this matter at great length.
He said: "I differ with the senator on the
question of national politics, and his atti-
tude towards the greatest democrat that
ever lived since the war, Bryan.
The "Post" Interview
Here he read the interview with Senator
Morgan which appeared in the Washington
Post of July IL, which has already been
made familiar to the people The governor
then paid high tribute to Bryan, and cr1t1-
cised the senator's statement. claiming that
he would surrender the democratic party
to the goldbugs. Morgan interrupted to
deny the assertion, and for the first time
the applause was genuine. Morgan saad
he was willing to surrender one man for
the good of all the party.
A breezy repartee resulted over this read
ing in which the senator disclaimed the
statements attributed to him in the inter-
view relating to that matter
Governor Johnston asked IL the single
standard men in Limestone were support
ing hirn, or was it hne free silver men. He
then explained his opinion upon the ques-
tion of expansion being in cof1ict with Sem
ador Morgan ON this point. He was op-
posed to imperialism and expansion, and
was in favor of having nothing to do with
the Cubans or the Philippines, tale people
Morgan was endeavoring to annex.
Governor Johnston paid a lengthy address
to the support which Morgan had given to
the international American bank bin, say
ing that 1t was the most privileged corpor-
alton that had ever been created on the face
of the earth, and that he would oppose all
such measures were he selected as Nor
gan's successor. He referred to the differ
ence between Senator Pettus and Senator
Morgan on this matter, and said that ne
would never submit to any policy which
tended to concentration of wealth.
His Relations With the Populists
In closing his address, Governor Johnston
said. 'It has been said that l was too near
THE popuiites. l have always recognized
the populists in Alabama as citizens entitled
to the protection of the constitution and
the laws of the state. Many of them sfoul-
dered their muskets in THE conflict of 1916
and fought with as much courage as any
other men in Alabama, and whilst do not
agree with>them on their political principles
1 have felt at all times that 1 could not
| have done nobler work in Alabama than
| that of bringing all the white people into
+ been done in the light of day, and believe
with the blessings of Almighty God upon 1t.
II have never gone into the dark to buy
| votes. My actions have been open and
above-board. 1t was for the good of the
republic, as conceive it, and have moth
ing to apologize for or to regret. had
rather have it written upon my tomb that
this man contributed more to uniting the
people of Alabama into harmony and con-
cord than to have it said that 1 had ever
been governor or senator"
Senator Morgan's Reply
| When Senator Morgan arose to reply af-
ter Governor Johnston had spoken one
hour and ten minutes, he was given an en-
| thusiaste greeting.
"This is the first time.'' he said, "that
have ever been forced into a discussion
with democrat in Alabama. I have sup
ported with the best of my ability every
! principle OF the democratic party from the
thine when was a young man, now more
| than fifty years ago." He referred with
some feeling to the governors hiding him
| self in his office and advising the people of
the state that certain United States sena-
tors were roaming around much after the
manner of public marauders. On this point
he said:
II had announced my candidacy early in
August in response to the solicitation Of
| about $50 democrats In my old home to