The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-05-09
A PLEA FOR PEACE.


 history of Alabama when there was more need for calm and peace.
 Since is9a. our State has been continu- 'ously in the throes of political turmoil and strife. One heate1 campaign has .bcer followed in rapid succession by an- other. more heated and bitter. The State has been kept in constant political excite ment fer twelve years, which have been long years of strife within the Demo- cratic Party.
 The result of such turmoil has been felt. and seriously felt. by all the people of Alabama. The campaigns. many of them with vituperation and extreme bitterness. yeomanry of our State--the tried and true citizens-could i'll afford to have their attention diverted from their everyday pursuits. or to have their time consumed otherwise than in the accomplishment of the tasks imposed in working out their proposition that 1t is not to the best in- terest of a people. or of a State in It's de- velopment, that there should he a con- tinuous state of unrest. producing uncer- tain conditions as to the government of commonwealth and creating a want of confidence in the administration of pub lie affairs. The crimination and recrim- ination of fellow citizens and fellow Democrats have ensendered personal diff ferences and animosties that have been baneful in their influences. not only to the Democratic Party. but to the best interests of the State. The effect of the vituperation and personal abuse indulsed in has been to create discord, dissension and dissatisfaction.
 After the Constitutional Convention, composed of men chosen from and by the people of our State. 1t was to be expected that all of the differences existing would have been healed. and all Democrats would find common ground upon which they could stand as a reunited party, pre- pared to combat common foe. There- fore, 1t is to be regretted that some of our citizens. under the guise of protecting the rights of "the common masses of the common people'-wolves in sheeps' cloth- ing-have been exerting themselves to sow seeds of bitterness and prejudice, not only against the Constitution as ratified by all the people. but against the present administration and the powers of the Democratic Party.
 Of the offices that are to be filled at the coming election, the one of Governor nec- essarily attracts most attention; and it has been the effort of the disgruntled and dissatisfied. who, at least. temporarily remain in the Democratic Party, to make it appear that it is necessary for the pro- lection of the rights of the people, that the present Chief Executive should have opposition in his candidacy. In fact, the attempt at creating political turmoil seems to have been aimed at the office of Governor. upon the idea that the candi- dates for such office must be opponents of the theories entertained respectively by the two factions of the Democratic Party; or, more correctly speaking, of the tenets of Democracy and the false ideas of those who would disrupt the Party for their own selfish ends. This is so true. that it seems certain that if there is no opposing candidate for Governor. then there will be no political agitation in the State during this year. For without such | opposition. harmony and peace would pre- vail within the ranks of the Democratic | Party, and our people would be freed | from that political unrest and strife which has been their curse for the last | twelve years.
 l The Advertiser asks in all candor why should there be opposition to the present 1 Governor in his ambition to be endorsed l by his Party to be allowed to serve one | whole term? It has been so univ have grown into Democratic usage and custom. that if Governor during the first term of his administration has prov ed himself efficient. capable and trust worthy he is accorded the endorsement of second term. and that without oppo- sition. Why should this universal custom
 and usage be violated at this time and in the present instance? It can not be de- nied that the present Chief Executive | has ably filled the office of Governor, and has faithfully discharged every duty inn posed by his trust. The efficiency with which he has met the responsibilities is we'll attested by the reports of the sev- eral departments which have heretofore | been reviewed in these columns. That | this is recognized by the people of the State is we'll shown by the futility of the | efforts of the would-be disorganizers to get some one to consent to lead the oppo- sition. Many names have been suggested. and much effort has been put forth to secure prominent men to consent to make | themselves vicarious sacrifices, for the | clandestine and evil purposes of those | who would disunite and disrupt the white Democracy of Alabama. The men who have been so besought. show by their de- !! clining to become candidates, that they [, recognize the injustice that would be done an efficient servant, as we'll as the harm and evil to result to grand citizenship from continuing the turmoil and strife which has prevailed for twelve years within the ranks of the Democratic Party.
 The mere fact that by giving Governor Jelks a second term. he would have four ' years in office is no argument; and yet,
 when analysed. this constitutes the real cause ok opposition by the disgruntled an1 the petit ofice-seeker. Accorded a
 nomination and election. he will not have
 been in office but a little over five years;
 and this is made so by the change of