The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-25
Letters to the Editor.
what Johnstonism Means.

Editor The Advertiser:
Johnston has been Governor Of Ala
bana two terms. four years and the
people fully understand what john
stonism means and recollect that admin
istration, for which he wants vindica-
ton or endorsement, Johnstonism is
almost synonymous with Tillmanism or
Quayism. He devoted the whole of his
administration to construct personal,
political machines, in every county in the
State to assist him in his Senatorial aspi-
chimes after those Of Tillman in South
Carolina, Quay in Pennsylvania and
Plat in New York, though lie was not
as successful, as those. scheminy cema-
gogues, either because he was not rs
intelligent, or never had rs intelligent
henchmen, to accomplish mis- purposes.
No Tammany boss was ever more !.rani-
cal or dictatorial The machines were
absolute masters in their counties. TIE
people received no consideration whatever
Every act of his administration was per-
formed with a view to his Senatorial aspi-
rations. When his machinery was COM
plete, when he thought the Dem tcracy
OF Alabama was in complat subsection
test against our peerless Senator, Hon.
]. 7. Morgan. The lnvincible Democratic
hosts of Alabama rose in their mig II
and majesty and literally .pulverized the
Alabama Gar. From Madison to Mobile.
his machines were crushed. Four wears
work crumbled into dust. Never did a
candidate receive such an overwhelming
and disastrous defeat He was not sue
cessful like Tillman, Quay and Platt. The
GROWING ignominy of his administration
was his action on the Constitutional Con-
vention. For that action, he deserves the
everlasting condemnation of the proud,
white Democracy of Alabama, Il was
against the best interest OF the
State. The Democrats of Ala
bama had decided TO adopt constitu-
ton, that would purify the ballot and
eliminate the illiterate, purchasable negro
vote. He favored this great and glorious
reform, until the delegates were elected
to accomplish 1t. Then he saw his
machines had not nominated these dele
gates and that the Democracy of Alabama
had selected its best and ablest men to
represent its interests, men who would
not surrender their convictions to assist
him in his Senatorial ambitions, or bend
their knees that thrift might follow
fawning" Self acknowledgement and not the
ing motive of his administration he con-
vened the legislature and repealed the
act calling the convention, to ADOPT
constitution and thus temporarily deteat-
ed the will of the great, white Demo-
cratic Party of Alabama In the Sena-
torial contest, they placed their. seal or
condemnation on this outrageous action
In no uncertain terms That one act should
administration. He defeated the demand
for a new constitution and every white
Democrat in Alabama should plead ike
an angel trumpet tongued against the
deep damnation of its taking on. He
retired from office under the condemna-
ton of his party and what has been MS
actions since? Has he at0ned for the
wrongs and injuries he did his people ana
party? Has he done anything 70 re-
Immediately on his retirement from Of
fee, the proud Anglo-Saxon Democracy,
Of our grand commonwealth, renewed the
contest for a new constitution tnat ne
had defeated. This contest resulted IN
glorious victory last November 1t
was a consummatton devoutly to De
wished"
In all the contest for the adption OF
the new constitution, he has been the
real leader in opposition to 1t. He led
the fight against calling a convention TO
adopt 1t and he led the fight against It's
ratification. Today he is the bitterest
and deadiest enemy the constitution has
in Alabama. After moving heaven and
earth to defeat 1t, he now asks the
Democracy of Alabama to place its en-
forcement and operation in his hands.
1t would be like turning the gentle lamb
over to the tender mercies OF famished
wolf. He would put 1t into operation
by amending it to death by multiplying It's
provisions until 1t was destroyed. its
adoption and ratification caused MIN tne
greatest modification he ever sustained
politically; except his Senatorial defeat.
He would as ruthlessly destroy 1t, II he
had the power. as he caused the repeal OF
the act to call convention, during his
administration. Can any reasonable man
doubt it? The new constitution means
great and glorious advancement for our
State. industrially. commercially, moral
ly and intellectually. Johnstonism means
the defeat and destruction of that de-
velopment. In such a contest, as is now
in progress in Alabama, can any white
Democrat hesitate under which banner
he will align himself? If he favors fair
elections, publication of the ballot box.
white supremacy, peace and prosperity IN,
the State, the development of every In
terest of Alabama and the triumph OF
the Anglo-Saxon race, he will support
the friends of the new constitution. IL
he is opposed to all Of these and wants
to assist the political aspirations OF a
defeated politician, he will support the
deadliest enemy OF that constitution. The
white men are registered, the negroes
disfranchised and eliminated. They are
reconciled to the change and labor Is ad-
justed to the new conditions. The white
man is triumphant and Alabama is
white state. If you wish to change all
of this and plunge the State into political
and business chaos, vote for Alabama's
TilIman, J. F. Johnston.
Democrat"
July Oath, 1892.