The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-20

sage, which were received with applause He said Abraham Lincoln had said white and black should not live together in so- cial and political equality. Because the ex-Governor has changed his mind is no reason why we who want to accom- plish the same purpose now, as he did then, should change our minds. The Gov- ernor, he said, approved & bill calling a convention in 1899, but he again changed his mind and had 1t repealed. Tn 1899 the people sat in judgment on that action and condemned 1t. the last Legislature passed bill and called Constitutional Convention through vote of the people. It was inspired by Democrats and all the bills passed for a convention were Demo- cratic measures. The last bill was pass ed by Democratic Legislature. approved by a Democratic Governor and approved by the people, and the State Democraticl Committee met and endorsed 1t and ap-' pointed campaign committee to work for its ratification.
 Is a Democratic Measure.
 T am here to tell you what I am ordered to tell you by the Democratic au- thority of the State and of your county" continued General Pettus. "The founda- tion stone of the party Is that majority should govern. All good men cannot think alike, but they can act alike and must do so to have good government and all of you have agreed that as long as you stay in the party a majority shall govern. Tho convention met and these patriots got together and framed d con- stitution to get rid of the negro and to free us from the charge of resorting to methods at the same time. They divided on all questions. but the majority ruled and all agreed to stand by their work except one single Democrat, as I am informed, and yet am told<hat this is not a Democratic measure. have been a Democrat all of my life and If this is not a Democratic measure I never heard of one before. Governor Johnston called men deserters who did not vote for Democratic nominees on the silver plat from in 1896. Was that any more of a Democratic measure than this? Are you to be influenced at all by the action of a Democratic convention? It is a manly thing to do. if it don't suit you to pick up your hat and walk out of the party"
 Most of the fault is with the suffrage provisions said the speaker and they are telling us that man must possess all the qualifications mentioned to vote when it is a fact that he has to possess only one of them to register and then he can vote forever. After that he must read and write or have fixed amount of property. They say we are building up an aristocracy man can't vote. on that ground after 1903 If he fails to register before that time. You promised not to disfranchise any white man and you haven't done 1t. You have kept your promise, whether he Is a Democrat, Populist or Republican. A good govern ment by white men is what you are drtv- ing at and that is what you will have If you ratify this constitution.
 Faults are Manufactured.
 They say the grandfather clause is unconstitutional. It is not like that of Louisiana. They are no kin at all. great many of the faults found with the new constitution are manufactured. Be- cause the Governor has to appoint the registrars they see great troubles ahead. The people are willing to trust Demo- cratic Governor as they have done for years. In the past, one registrar in each county selected a registrar in each beat and one man made up the list. Under tir9 rev constitution three men are to do tt. rfS0 business man in Selma or Mont scaaery will object to banks being ese-l amined. All national banks are examined and all banks that call for deposits should not object to Investigation
 They say we are going to break down the public schools. 1 do not know of a school superintendent or teacher who is not for the new constitution on that &C., count alone and 1t has done the best that could be devised to build up and perpet- uate the school system of the State. The appropriation is fixed and must stand and does not depend upon the condition of the treasury as under the present consti- tuition.
 The Senator closed with a word of ad- vice to young men-always go with your people, for the best form of government stand for the right, don't desert your party young mango with your people.
 After the speaking quite a large num- Der of persons went on the stage and con- graduated Senator Pettus on his able and patriotic speech.