The age-herald., 1900-04-06

prints correspondence between M. E. l.. DeBardeleben of Wetumpka and Governor Joseph F. Johnston.
 The correspondence is as folows:
 "Personal
 Montgomery, Feb. 19, 1900.
 Dear MT. DeBardelabent-I remember many months since that you kindly assur- ed me of your hearty support whenever I needed it. I made a note of it in my red book, because felt that here was one man who said what he meant, and meant what he said. There are so many whose hearts are good and memories poor that it is re- freshing to find men who can always be found keeping their engagements and pay ing their debts. So I am emboldened to call on you now, for I know you can do me good, and I am sure you will. About year ago, friend of yours said to me: De Bardelaben will walk barefooted across Elmore county to pay debt.' l took out my book and added after your name old reliable It stands there today. l am sure that you agreed with me on the Const. Conn. and that you will not join my ene- mics to not only defeat but destroy me. I will be glad to hear from you. Yrs. Tru- ly JOS. F. JOHNSTON"
 The following is written across the page in the little blank space which character izes the governors letters:
 'I don't suppose you owe Senator Morgan any debt. If you do 1t will be marvellous for he rarely troubles himself to do fa- vors."
 MT. DeBardelaben has written the fol- lowing reply to the governors letter:
 "Dear Governor:-Your favor of February 18th received and contents duly noted.
 You flatter me very much about my debt paying qualities, as predicate for your sight draft and l am sorry that l can't honor the same As I am not in politics flor revenue only I do not keep little red book for the services l have rendered my party, and my political Friends o~' the favors they do me, but my memory is fresh with the recollection of services rendered Alabama and the south by Senator Nor gan in his efforts to defeat the force eill and other legislation intended to humliate the south, and I feel that l would be an ingrate not to pay this debt of gratitude while he still lives. It is true he is getting old and feeble and maybe a little bit irritable,' but l discover from the way he slings ink, and his recent great speeches in the senate, on the Nicaragua canal, on the Pettigrew resolutions and other issues, that the Damascus steel is not yet worn from his blade, and that he is still recog- nized as the greatest democrat in the United States senate. To be frank with you have never been with you politically but after you were nominated 1 have for two campaigns in Alabama done all could to get you elected governor; but when you ask me to help you defeat the grea test iiicHu tHc SoutH ildS III tHe CnIt6u states senate, beg to be excused
 "I do not exactly comprehend how, or for what l owe you anything; there is something in your letter about a convict cony'n, that do net understand. It must be some reference to the pardon of - the negro convicted of rape; that you par doned at my instance. Well, I thought, and still think, you did right in pardon ing him. but l did not understand that I owed you any political debt because you pardoned negro, for I assure you he is not akin to me in the remotest degree, and l had no interest to be served in his pardon except upon the plane of. human interest. And if you acted upon any other reason, then l think you abused your con stitutional prerogative, and the deot you assume that l owe ycu is void in the plain est ground of public policy I am for Nor gan, hence l can't be for you: still I do not understand that it will necessarily ruin you not to get to the senate. The gov ernQrs office is mot ex-officio a stepping stone to the United States senate. Re- member Seay, and later Oates. You write In spirit of desperation, that does you an injustice. Aside from politics, there are