The age-herald., 1900-06-30
DENOCRACYS DAY IN SHELBY COUNTY CoL Stamford Opened Democratic
 Campaign Yesterday VAST CROWD HEARD SPEECH The Speaker Was Eloquent in His Discussion of Democratic Prin-
 cipIes, and His Hearers Ap-
 plauded the Sentiments.
BY l.. E. KERSH,

Calera, June 29.-(Special) )-This has been Democracy's day in Shelby County. The day marked the opening of the Democratic in April and to be elected in August.
 Col. William J. Stamford, nominee for Governor, was the speaker for the occasion and as is his custom, he made an able. logical and telling speech in behalf of the ticket, of which he has been honored as the head.
 Colonel Samford's speech was one of the ablest that has been heard from the stump in Alabama. It was declared by those who were in the campaigns of the seventies, to have carried them back to those days when Houston, Morgan and others made the vir- tues of Democracy and a white mans gov ernment ring from the stump in every portion of the State. z...sr-----=s-4
 To better describe the speech, the con- gratulatory remarks of an old-time Dem- ocrat who heard the speech, are best suited:
 Tt is the first political speech to which l have listened from beginning to end in twenty years. It has teemed with good old time Democratic doctrine, and it is the kind of speech that forecasts the welding together of the white men in Alabama
 This was the sentiment of almost every one of the several hundred people who gathered here to hear "the next Cover nor and they came from the counties of Fillmore, Montgomery, Chiffon, Shelby, Bibb and Jefferson. It does seem that the Democracy has been particularly fortunate in it's selection of the head of the ticket Colonel Sanford inspires the confidence of the people. His arguments from the stump are those to cause the people to recognize him as a leader to whom they can attach a string of confidence He is bold and fearless, meeting the issues of the campaign in the open and proclaiming that under his administration the State govern ment shall be honestly and economically conducted, as to best benefit the interests of the general public. The simple honesty of his argument is at once catchy with his auditors, and the continuance or his cam paign is sure to weld the white people to- gether in closer union than they have been since the division in 1S90.
 Prominent Democrats Present
 The speaking today took place under the beautiful oaks which form the grove near the junction of the railroads. platform and seats had been arranged, and several hundred people had assembled by the hour announced TOT the speaking.
 There were many prominent Democrats from the counties surrounding to assist the Shelby Democracy in their celebration. Among those noted were Hon. John V. Smith, chairman of the State Campaign Committee; Captain E. w. Booker, mem- Der of the committed; former Governor Rufus W. Cobb, of Jefferson; Hon. Sid Bowie, of Calhoun; B. Dudley Williams, of Calhoun; John Burns, of Evansville, and Gaston A. Robbins of Dallas, candidates for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the Fourth District; Attorney General Brown, W. T. Hand, Dr. Stewart, John Garner and w. M. Wilson of Chiffon, Sen- ator Jones Moore and w. w. Shortridge of Bibb, and many others. This section of the State is to be one of the principal battle grounds of the campaign, and the Democ- racy is determined to win. This Senatorial District, composed of the counties of Shel- by, Chiffon and Elmore, has been giving a Populist majority of several hundred votes in recent elections, but a reversal of re- suits is anticipated for next August. w. R. Oliver, of this place, has been nominated by the Democrats for the Senate. He Is strong candidate, combining the qualities to make fit Legislator. He is opposed by l.. H. Reynolds, of Chiffon, who was the Populist Representative from Chiffon Coun- ty in the last General Assembly. The can didates will make a joint canvass, and lively campaign is expected.
 It was noon when colonel Sanford reached the spot prepared for the speaking. He was escorted by the Thorsby Cornet Band, which rendered popular selections. Colonel Stanford was introduced by Dr. c. C.. Oliver, classmate at Auburn. and the speaker was eloquent in his words of praise for the Democratic standard bearer Dr. Oliver is an orator of note, and it is a coincidence that in their college days he spoke from the platform with Colonel Sam ford and eight others in a contest for the orators medal. Colonel Sanford won the first prize and pr. Oliver the second. In presenting Colonel Stamford Dr. Oliver said that his canvass gave promise of being as phenomenal in solidifying the white peo- pie of the state, as was that of Houston
 Colonel samford's Speech
 Colonel Samfords appearance on the platform was a signal for hearty cheering