The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-08-22
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Letters to the Editor.
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General Harrison for Johnston.

6eneral Harrison for Johnston.
Editor The Advertiser:
IL is advertised that General Harrison
VIII speak in Montgomery tonight for
johnston, for Governor If consistency
Jewel. the average politician is en-
treiy destitute of that commodity. While
harrison has the reputation of being an
accomplished. political acrobat his sud
zen conversation to Johnstonism eclipses
ms former performances His opposition
70 Johnstonism has been earnest and
consistent; When Jody entered the race
against Oates, Harrison headed the
Oates's delegation in Lee County and
maze a gallant and success full contest
LOT MN. TWO years later when Mo-
nIle distinguished statesman. Ion. r.
II: Clarke made the race Harrison head
ed his delegation and came all the way
from Washington to put in some sledge
manner ticks. against the political dema-
sogue Johnston. In both campaigns,
with brilliant eloquence he denounced him
In unmeasured terms. With almost pro
phetic insight he predicted what his ad-
mihlstration would be and appealed to the
democracy to defeat him. When John
ston had the temerity to enter the race
against the peerless John T. Morgan, our
great Senator, Harrison was among the
trst to raise his voice in denunciation of
johnston. He earnestly appealed. in
eloquent terms to the people to defeat him
and did his full duty in that campaign.
When Johnston called the legislature
together and caused the repeal of the act
calling Constitutional Convention. be-
cause such strong anti-Johnston, Palmer
ana Buckner men, as Harrison were dele
gates thereto no man in Alabama was
more bitter in his fiery denunciation of
tnat gigantic outrage on peoples hopes
and aspirations. than Harrison. With all
MS power of thought and oratory he de-
nounced the destruction of the hope for
a new constitution and white supremacy.
When another convention had been called
and constitution adopted and Johnston
a deadly determined
position to it's ratification, no more elo-
quent words than Harrison's were heard
In its defence, although he had not
favored all it's provisions. The people
or Lee County can never forget his elo-
quent speech In favor of its ratification,
delivered In the court house at Opelika,
shortly after Johnston's demagogcal
harangue against it, to the black cohorts
argument of facts, logic and eoquence,
a terrible arrangement of the demagogue,
johnston, and an earnest and brilliant APP
peal to the white men of Lee County to
ratify the new constitution and TO bury
Johnston beyond resurrection. Such is
Harrfsons record up to this campaign
and it is consistent and glorious. In
all these contests he stood manfuly by
the Anglo-Saxon Democracy Of Alabama,
as faithfully as when he faced the enc
mics of southern liberty on the fields of
blood and death.
But a change has passed over his
has seen vision. He has discovered
that the former demagogue. Joseph r.
Johnston is a great statesman and should
be inflicted on the people of Alabama for
four more years as Governor. BY what
process of ratiocination he reaches that
most impotent conclusion does not APP
pear. Why this sudden conversation? In
his speech at Opelika acknowledging his
conversion and adherence to Johnston
ism, Harrison appeared to accept him
as a choice OF evils. that Johnston was
a great man and Jelks a little man.
The General cannot stand littleness, al
though this was the first time he dis
covered Johnston was great.
Is 1t personal grievance, the fact that
Governor jerks defeated him for the
presidency of the Senate that makes him
convictions and support Johnston? If
so, his opinion is not shared by the Ala
bama Democracy There were thirty
three able and distinguished Senators and
a majority preferred jerks to Harrison
and he could not defeat Jelks in that
contest, with Johnston's support 1t is
also stated that Harrison is mad with
Governor Jelks, because he was not con-
to minor offices in this county. That is
not the first time he has not been con-
suited. But if that is his position. the
Generals memory is at fault. Let him
consulted during the four years of John
ston's administration? He was not
part OF JOhnstons machine in Lee Coun-
ty and his recommendation would have
been the political death knell for any APP
plcant recommended by him. The Cen
erals position is untenable. lie has
been too true and faithful a friend to
the Democracy of Alabama to try to
force on them for Governor, that arch
demagogue and enemy of our new con-
stitution Joseph F. Johnston He should
not let prejudice and personal grievance
blind him to the fact known by all the
people of Alabama that Governor jerks
has given us one of the best administra
lions in the history of the State and by
all the usages. customs and precedents
of the Democratic party is entitled to an
endorsement.
Harrison knows that Johnston is the
same today that he was when he opposed
him in the interest of Oates, Clarke,
Morgan and the ratification of the new
constitution. He knows the Ethiopian
canot change his skin nor the leopard
his spots and there is no use for him to
attempt to delude himself or deceive the
Democracy of Alabama. Lee.
Opellka, Aug. u, 1902.