The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-08-22

tieian of today is nothing, If not an inno-
cent sort of inguant. The successful in
trguer of today must hold the art of de-
ceiving his so-ealled enemies 1t is not
strange tnen that his friends are some-
times fearful Of being deceived by him. AS
for myself, | desire to testify that in an
experience of twenty-five years l have not
found less faith and loyalty in politics than
in the various ayocations and professions
of life. The leaders of democracy in Ala
bama have been followed with a faith as
high and as steadfast as that which in
spired the emssaries of Israel as they went
down into the valley of Canaan In the
histories of the world there is nothing
nobler or more self-sacrideing than the re-
demption Of the black belt from the domin-
ion Of the vandal and the freebooter.
Curses have been put upon the men of the
black belt, but they blistered and blackened
the lips that uttered them.
Had Hard Times
1--WE had hard times to send General
Shelley 10 congress. But We had good
cause.-The best that has ever been fought
for Those were dark days and gloomy
times in the black belt, but We had the
cleverest man earth for a candidate,
and we had Captain Johnston to organize
and plan for US, and we had the kingy
Pettus to stand by US and defend and pro-
teet us when the mailed hand of the fed
eral court threatened US with destruction.
Twenty years ago l wrote of General Pet
tus that he was the kingliest of Alabam-
ians. The title holds good today
ANY child who throws a stone into the
water with all his force can make a splash,
but he would DE fool indeed If he sup
posed the splash was a sign that he had
turned stream. Figuratively speaking,
our public men, in congress and out have
made good many splashes, but only few
CT aYYnG haH hglny1 fiirr ned Naa n,,
OF Alabama mas come nearer turning u
stream than any other. That labor is the
arch-elevator of man, and patience is the
essence OF labor, we find amply demon
strated in him. Hampden, a plain county
Squire, was possessed of those elements of
greatness. In speech in parliament, he
shook With plain words the tyranny of eight
hundred years He was a first cousin of
Oliver Cromwell. His bographer says
Party spirit and detraction failed to find
any vice In his morals or amy vulnerable
point In his Character There is a singular
likeness between John Hampden and the
governor of our state. Read Hampdens
biography. 1t will interest and instruct
you. You will not forget him. If our gov
ernor has merit, 1t is found in unremtt-
ting labor and atience He is frugal and
methodic. His life's education has been
along the lines of truth, labor, patience and
honor That success has come to him and
will continue to come is a surprise to no
man VINO has read the histories of the ma
tions and the biographies of the worlds
great men. He has gone through the fire.
test OF the crucfble and has come out I'M
scathed The lapidary will tell you it takes
a gem to do that If he mas Offended his
brother, the llustrious example of St
Paul sustains and consoles him. and like
Senator Morgan on one occasion, he may
promise to eat no more meat while the
world stands He may do so, but, know
Eng him as L do, l think not He will eat
meat in the discharge of his great duty
TO the people, whether it offend his brother
or not. He can take care of himself.
am not his keeper. 1 have only referred
to him thus in the interest of Cancellation.
Thanks the State Fair Association
1.-THE stockholders of the great State Fair
and Agriculture association of Alabama
have my grateful apprecia ton for the hon.
or they conferred on me by eleeting me
their president. l shall labor with all the
zeal, Industry. and intelligence that l pos
seSs to make the fair a success. There is
not doubt in my mind that it will be a
brilliant success. Birmingham has all the
natural elements to make the fair sue
cess. The pride of her citizens will be en-
listed, the pride of Alabama will be en-
listed, and the grand opportunity to have
displayed IN one great building specimens
of all her marvellous industries. mineral.
mechanical artistic, agricultural, scientific
and educational resources, cannot be re-
sisted By loyal and patriotic Alabamians
The pride, glory, wealth, beauty and in
tellisseace Of Alabama will be exemplified
III the state fair on November 4 1899
Your obcdient servant,
A. E. CAFFEE