The age-herald., 1901-10-18

- were brought up on the idea that this is a white mans country. The Democrats never purposed to disfranchise the white man, but to the contrary in convention they solemnly declared that no white mas shall be disfranchised. and I believe all white men in Alabama will continue to vote"
 Had Been Long Fight.
 Governor Jell1s said 1t has been a long fight for pure suffrage in Alabama. He continued:
 Before the ink had dried on the old constitution twenty-six years ago the idea of doing something better for the State came into the minds of our fore fathers.
 For nearly thirty years we have been yearning for the election day which comes in November. I say to you tonight that have been ashamed of the frauds that were necessarily enacted, and 1t is time to put stop to such conditions by a pure and intellectual ballot. I believe you will give us a great majority in November"
 When the applause subsided the Cover nor introduced the Hon. John B. Knox. whom he characterized as president of the constitutional convention and a man from the State at large.
 Importance of the Question.
 MT. Knox began by saying that after more than twenty years of consideration the question whether we shall have new constitution Is submitted to the peo- pie of Alabama for final acceptance or rejection. He impressed upon his audi ence the importance of the question be- fore them; 1t was matter that appealed to every citizen and affects every woman, man and child in the State of Alabama.
 I've must realize that the moral stand ard of public matters in this State is now very low continued the speaker. Compare the situation now with the sit- uation before the war, when our fore fathers fought questions out on their merits.
 '"rhere Is not a historian but who will tell you that Southern statesmen for the first fifty years dictated the policy of the government.
 James G. Blaine, during his twenty years In Congress said the Southern speakers guarded the treasury like watch dogs and preserved the standing of the country.
 South overthrown.
 ''The domination of Southern influences over this country was at last overthrown by the civil war. and the fifteenth amend ment to the constitution was not only passed to allow the negro to vote, but to dominate the politicians who had been tho leaders in the halls of Congress.
 'In 1874 the white men of Alabama, from the Tennessee valley to the gulf, united to regulate the affairs of Alabama, and they drove from the State the carpetbag and bayonet rule. 1 believe that the men of the North will admit that we were right and they were wrong in attempting to control the virtuous and intelligent by the ignorant negroes of the State during that tumultuous period.
 But now since sectionalism has become dead issue the time has come for our people to act. Just as long as 1S0,000 ne- groes have as much right to vote as you or I there is standing a constant menace to all of us.
 White Supremacy by Law.
 "The great object we have under. taken Is to maintain white supremacy mot by force, but by law"
 MT. Knox then began discussion of the opposition. He said four men practi- cally represented them, and they are ex- Governor Johnston, General Shelley, Mir. Stallings ard Colonel Denson. Replying to @ message of ex-Governor Johnston on the question of a new constitution MT. Knox quoted passages which said the Governor was willing to submit to any action the people might take to remedy the suffrage evil
 Speaking of General Shelley he said: '"rhe general in a recent address says the fraudulent practice in Alabama had done more harm to the white man than to the negro.
 ''They describe a condition which should be remedied," exclaimed MT. Knox" but what kind of a remedy do they offer? ask of you where have they ever suggested single plan that was better7 None!'
 The speaker sarcastically remarked that none of the opposition wanted office and wouldn't have 1t. MT. Knox told of an occurrence at a recent meeting be- tween himself and MT. Stallinss. He said the gentleman from Butler said he never intended to run for an office again, but with a peculiar drop of the eye lid said, but l reserve the right to change my mind if something better comes along
 '.Now, would like to know" said MT. Knox, why some of these gentlemen didn't come down to Montgomery last summer and show us how to frame q