The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-08-06
MR. HEFLIN CATCHES HI
 BREATH.
HIS

For some weeks the bulk of the Press of the State has sasen criticising. more or less severely. Hon.. J. T. Hehin, for his startling arraignment of Judge Jones in a speech at Luverne. because of his re- buke to the jury in the Turner peonase case. He has at last caught his breath. and makes a wordy response It takes up several columns in this issue
 It might have been expected that after all this deliberation and criticism. Mir. Hefin would have had the perception to have seen that he had made a serious blunder. that he would have had the and the grace to have excused himself as best he could. But apparently he is lack ing either in perception or in the bold ness necessary to own up to a blunder. He has said that the horse was sixteen feet high, and he is so obstinate as to stick to 1t and to try to prove 1t. Some people may commend his nerve. but few will uphold his judgment. He makes bad matter worse.
 People will still inquire. why did Mir. Hefiin alone, of all the lawyers and pub lir men in Alabama. rush so frantically io the front to denounce a judge about the conduct of the Turner case. and why does he persist in his attitude?
 MT. Hefiin has not been prominent. people realize, as a lawyer. or student. or redresser of wrongs. There are. as the people know. scores and scores of far abler lawyers. fully as patriotic and mindful of the public veal as he. Peo- pie will inquire why. if the State was in peril. did not some of them speak out trumpet-tongued. in defense of the right of trial by jury? The Press of the State has always been observant of the rights of the people. and bold in the assertion of them. What was the matter with scores of papers in the State, some of which contained full reports of the trial from day to day. that they put forth no word of remonstrance or warning? Was MT. Hefin the only brave, viftuous and Intelligent sentinel on the watch-tower." or did the rest of mankind lack sense to see the evil, or want the courage to speak out against it?
 Why did Mir. Hefin seize with such avidity upon an opportunity. presented by an invitation extended for other purposes. to speak upon subject which the Con- stitution of the United Confederate Vet erans forbids to be discussed before them? What motive persuaded him to berate an absent comrade to his fellow soldiers. and upon garbled and singu- larly inaccurate presentation of the facts? Why did he. an attorney. know ing that Turner's cases were still pend ing. and that he was really volunteer. if not retained counsel for him. arralgn a judge on the hustings about him? Why 10 intimidate or influence a court as to the trial of the pending casesR Did he suppose the spectacle of a State officer denouncing a court upon the hustings about pending cases. would please any lover of law and order? If he did, why did he think so? Such pertinent questions as these are without answer in Mir. Hefin's long winded defense.
 The criticism and condemnation which the speech brought forth, are all of Mir, Hehin's own causing It will not down, because of this last utteranee of his, which in effect is only the declaration T am a patriot, and my outburst was only the bubbling over of pure love Of country without q thought Of self"