The age-herald., 1901-12-06

give us for officers the best men in the State, for the reason that the better class of voters would take more interest in State affairs and would turn out and vote.
 Now as to the result. am perfectly confident that the men now in control of State affairs would prove easy winners in the primaries. They have given tho State a good administration and there can be no charge against them to cause their overthrow. We have nothing to fear from a primary. and I sincerely trust that the State committee will seriously consider the matter"
 
 Representative John H. Wallace of Madison County was another to take an optimistic view of the future of the Dem ocratic party. Discussing the political outlook today he said:
 "Condtions are extremely propitious for an uninterrupted regime of polit- ica, quietude in Alabama for years to come With the ratification of our magni- ficent constitution the race problem was practically settled in this state.
 "The movement inaugurated by Gen. eral Shelley, Governor Johnston, Colonel Donson and Captain Stallings, looking to a continuance of the fight against the constitution inside of the Democratic party has not been received with en- thusiasm in northern Alabama. While 1t is true that a great many Democrats voted against ratification of the new con- cfif ft1ff -ftI diseontinuing the fight against it, and be- lieye that all the benefits that are contained in the new instrument should be enjoyed to their fullest and broadest extent. The anti-ratifers may be able to control a few Populist and Republican counties, and occasionally they may cap- ture close Democratic county, but in sections where the principles of democ- racy are strong, they will have a slim following. While 1t Is true that many of those who are possessed of inordinate and unrequitted political aspirations, who find that they are out-classed in the ranks of pure Democracy, will join hands with the leaders of move ment that is destined to an ignomini-
 
 organized Democracy; still in a few To- calities vigilance will be necessary to secure the defeat of the objects of these ambitious politicians. It seems singular that gentlemen who have here tofore boasted of their power to secure The perpetration of fraud at the ballot box should have the hardihood to con- tend that the new constitution was not legitimately ratified Upon this propo- sition they will go before the people believing that dissention will be excited in rural localities, expecting to reap re- suits from the antagonism engendered to the present Democratic organization by insisting that the new constitution was forced upon the white people by a falsifcation of election returns in the Black Belt. We shall expect to see many of the Republicans and populists enter into the Democratic primaries in order to assist the anti-ratifcationists to de- feat the Democrats of Alabama. Many believe that when the nti-ratificationists are defeated in the primaries, that they will continue the race until they are yanquished at the polls. . Tt is confidently believed that Gov ernor Jelks, Commissioner Poole and Auditor Sowell will appoint patriotic and competent registrars for the various counties of Alabama who will carry out the will and spirit of the new constitution thereby registering for life every white man in the State who is now a qualified elector. When this is done the white peo- pie will rally to the standard of those whose leadership, patriotism and states manship has secured for us the condition that fulfills the fond longing of the loft lest aspirations of all loyal Alabamians" E. 10. KERSII.