The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24

because this avowed enemy is the friend of the people and their only friend. shall be the first intrusted with It's execution, and with the direction of the enactment of laws for it's enforcement. We have been told by the ex-governor on every stump, and in all the press, that the con- stitution is full of glaring defects, and that only he can deliver the people out of the difficulty into which they have been driven by the politicians; yet he has never indicated by speech or proclama- tion what the article on suffrage should be. We are very sick, we have had the wrong doctor. and that unless we take the ex-governor physic, we must all perish; and yet he has never condescend- ed to tell his patients his remedy
 ''i he ex-governor declaims vehemently against the ma hine and most of those who support him, do likewise; yet he never tells who constitutes that wicked machine. It must be that all who oppose him are the machine. Be assured that if this be so, it is a very large machine. It is well known that the ins are always the machine, and the outs want to smash the machine, and then when they smash it, they make a new one.
 ''It is claimed by one of his leading orators. that he supported Senator Nor 1 gan as against Governor Johnston, be- i cause Morgan was to Johnston as the 1 eagle is to the sparrow, and the in- l finitesmal as Johnston was in that con- I test he supports him in this because he is greater than Governor Jelks. Well, this is part of campaign clap-trap and very small at that. Governor Jelks was large enough to let the whole people know that he was candidate for presi- dent of the state senate, when everybody knew the possibilities of that position, and he was then opposed by the very men who now call him too small for the place he so honorably fills. For one. l am very much afraid of the man who is so grand l ly great in his own estimation that he never consults the wise men of the state, who smites his breast saying, I am the state, all who were before me were 1 pigmes, and after me there will be no l one To make Governor Johnston again i governor would be to place an enemy in i the saddle to ride the constitution to l it's death; an enemy whose whole aim | will be to destroy the work so laborious- 1 ly wrought out and for no better reason 1 than that it did not originate in him. To nominate Governor Johnston and those selected to represent him would be to begin anew the work of destruction of the aims and cherished hopes of all the dark years since 1865. Let the watch word be sounded In thunder tones, Put only supporters of the new constitution on guard
 "I have, my dear sir. to express my regret that physical infirmty prevents me from discharging duty I owe to the public. Very respectfully,
 h CIVILIAN c. WARD"
 The Speakers.
 Congressman J. II. Bankhead was the first speaker. Col. Bankhead made powerful plea for all good democrats to rally to the support of Governor Jelks. He compared the history of the two can didates for governor to the diseredit of former Governor Johnston. Governor | Johnston says he went into the office of l governor and found the treasury empty" 1 said the speaker Well he did go in and find it in a bad fix. He made fairly good governor, I will give him credit | for everything he has done. But there are | 10000 men in Alabama who could have done what he has done, and would have done 1t just as well. Have we reached that low state in Alabama when the l democratic party has but one man who is i fit to be governor? If we have, we had 1 better ask for a receiver and go out of business"
 Eli s Shorter spoke along the same l lines as Congressman Bankhead, taking up the record or GOVernOr JelkS ana eX- Governor Johnston, and asserting that the safety and prosperity of the party de- manded the reelection of Governor Jelks.
 J. Tom Heflin and James L. Tanner, candidates for secretary of state also spoke in the interest of the candidacy of Governor Jelks. MT. Heflin sang, by spe- cial request, his famous campaign song.
 Other speakers on the programme were H. N. Randall, chairman of the wage earners' campaign committee, and W. c. Garret All the speakers were listened to with close attention and there was much applause.
 Dr. R. M. Cunningh m spoke to a large crowd at Vivian last night in the interest of Governor Jelks. w. H. Stanley also spoke In the interest of the governor at | Brooksde
 Col. Sumter Lea and S. l.. Weaver
 wound up the Johnston campaign in the county with speeches at North Birmlng- | ham,
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