The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-03
Warm Sulphur Springs, Va.
July Is. 1902.

Warm Sulphur Springs, va,
July Is. 1902
Mr. Thomas D. Sanford;
Dear Sir-I fully appreciate your JUST
solicitude. expressed in your letter Of sne
18th instant, as to the action OF the De-
mocracy of Alabama, In the nomination
of a candidate for Governor on the 9th
of August, and earnestly hope that Gov
ernor Jelks will be chosen.
He will Ill the place that would nave
been accorded to your honored rather,
had he been spared to the people OF Ala
bama, and every one must feel tnat you
have a peculiar interest In the question
whether his loss shall also be embttered
with the overthrow Of the party he hon
ored with his regard and the principles
to which he gave his honest devotion.
At the time of Governor Sanford s
death. and during his long Illness. there
was a deep feeling Of anxiety as to sue
cessor, in his Office. who would honestly
carry out the principles and purposes
which the people had declared in his cleo
ton. In August. 1900, and the greatest
care was taken in the selection of his
successor and in 30 providing, that the
uncertain language of the then existing
constitution should not result in the
holding over of the office by his predeces-
sor Provisions of law were speedily en-
d
were effectual s... s--.st
The anxiety of those days was shared
by all true Democrats in Alabama, and 1t
lead to the selection of Senator jerks as
President of. the Senate. who became the
Governor of the State.
] need not recall as vindication of
his ability. fidelity and skill in his Office.
and various and difficult questions that
Governor Jelks encountered and mas
tered in the great office thus devolved
upon him, or to show how fully he has
met them. The quiet judgment of the
people has settled all that, so that there
Is no accusation from which he requires
to be INDICATED and not even the sug-
gestion Of mistake. as to which he re-
quires to be excused.
! feel as you say you feel, only not In
the personal sense that excites your
grateful regard ~for Governor Jelks. that
he has thoroughly well performed the
-offlciai duties that the confidence of the
people had chosen your distinguished
father to discharge, and feel. with you,
that there is no just reason why the
Democracy of Alabama should refuse to
endorse his administration. by voting
against his claim to the honors he has so
well earned.
No matter what posthumus honors ex-
: Governor Johnston may claim that he is
entitled to. as a "vindication" against
accusations that are not specified by him,
he does not charge that Mr.. felix's has
made them. but that they were made by
the mere silence of the Democratic State
Convention of 1900.
II this is even an affront to the ex-
Governor. which seems impossible. that
In no reason why Democrats should vote
censure upon the excellent administra-
ton Of Governor JeIks, by refusing to
nominate him on his first appeal to the
people for a nomination.
If 1t takes two terms to enable Cover
nor Johnston to make his record. and
another term to vindicate that record,
he should be willing to wait until Cover
nor Jelks has received the endorsement
of his fellow Democrats (for he needs
: no '.yindications'l and then claim his
"yindication' by demanding election to
z the office of Governor, which he now
says that he does not want, either for
the salary or the honor 1t would brins
him.
It IS mt necessary to cast the r1sk1tsSch
of undeserved defeat on Governor felix's,
in order to indicate Governor Johnston
against some imaginary, or inferential
discourtesy of State Democratic Con-
vention IN 1890. Besides, there are sew
eral ways open to him, in which Cover
nor Johnston can appeal to the people
for his coveted vindication, that would
not involve the popular condemnation of
Governor Jelks. that will be visited upon
him If Governor Johnston should defeat
him in Democratic primary
candidacy for seat in the Senate
is open to any who need vindication,