The colored American., 1899-12-16

Whenever Alabama republicans be-
come the topic OF conversation, here or
within the shadow Of the capitol dome
at Montgomery, the mind instinctlvely
turns to the Hon. William F. Aldrlch,
for everybody will agree that his name,
like that of Abou Ben Adhem, 'leads
all the r,st"
The position of the Southern repE5li'
can is often one CT embarrass ment by
reason of the peculiar conditions pre-
.E4Iiing as 10 the suffrage rights OF a
large percent of his constituents, strong
prejudices ss to the participation ofthis
element in state and national politics,
and half expressed feeling on the
part Of his northern lntemp0rarv, that
wnen patronage is TO be distributed, lit.
tie favor should be shown the represen'
tatiye of a section which can give but
few members OF Congress and no elec-
t0ral votes for president. There is no
substantial reason why any Of these
conditions should exist to an offensive
nation Is fortunate IN having at it's COM
mand and in its service thatsclass of
men whose highbred qualities Of head
and heart, and whose traiDg in diplo-
macy and statecraft are Of character
that tend to reduce the baleful effects
of untOWard circumstances to a mini
mum. Such man Is William f. AL
dfich, the leader of modern republican
ism in the state of Alabama. He es.
poused the principles of the party of
freedom, humanity and moral ideas,
when it required courage OF the stern
est kind to do battle with the forces Of
opposition which seemed invincible;
but he faced the situation, and through
the methods Of an honest, but deter
mined field mars hal, he has made re-
publlcanism respected in the farther
most nook in the state, and bis mag
unanimous nature and generous dealings
have made him loved and venerated in
his home community. His rise to
prominence, in spite of the early coun-
ter-e o1rit which threatened to defeat
his aspirations, has encouraged others
to 60 for ward, until the year Of grace
1900 6nds him surrounded by as strong,
loyal and aggressive a party as can be
mustered IN many com mmOnWeaIIhs
where opportunities have been OF the
best.
SO well has Mr.. Aldrich impressed his
chara cter, worth al d ability as leader
and organizer, upon the rank and file
OF the republicans of Alabama. that a
vigorous boom has been started, which
if it reaches the momentum cOmmen-
surate with its merits, will land him in
the chair for national committeeman
for his state, and place him in charge Of
the massive machinery which his brains
and energy have done so much to con
struct and give motive power. We un-
derstand that Mr. AIdrich Is not can
didate for this distinction, but, know
ing his dlsinclinatiOn to shirk any re-
sponsibilIty which his followers may
throw about him, We cannot imagine
that he would refuse to serve cheerful
ly and effectively should he be chosen. |
His broad experience and natural gifts |
would be of immense advantage to the |
national committee, and the South |
would be wise to select as her represen- |
tatives thereon, class of men Ofwhioh |
Mr.. Aldrich is splendid example, VINO
wall be influential ia staying the pro-
posed movement TO reduce the strength
Of that great section in the national |
of the republican party. He
will justly contend that the able /
knights who are so gallantly holding
the par ty intact against q most persis-