The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-09
DEMOCRATS IN 1878
 CONFIDENT AND AGGRESSIVE

The proceedings of the Convention more than twenty-five years after wards. and there will be surprise on the part of many to learn that for the first and only time negro delegates were ad- mitted to seats in Democratic Con- vention in Alabama.
 Many of those who participated and took a prominent part in the proceed ings in this convention are still living. and their names have become house. hold words in Alabama, and all this will lend zest and pleasure to the perusal of the doings of that body. It is printed as a valuable contribution to political history and every young man should read and study it carefully
 The Convention.
 The convention assembled in the hall of the House of Representatives at noon on the 29th of May. Col Malcolm D. Graham. the Chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee, call ing 1t to order. In behalf of the Com mittee he welcomed to the capitol of the State ''se large 8 number of the accredited representatives of that great party of whose past history we all have so much cause to be proud For years in the near past, that party staggered under defeat. and struggled with diversity; but from each discom- future and overthrow. it seemed to derive fresh courage and vitality, until at last by 8 great, concerted and patri- otic effort, it's ascendancy was re- established, and it is now the dominant party of the Union. Since the restora- tion of that party to authority, partic- ularly in these Southern States, much good has been effected, great wrongs have been righted, public grievances have been redressed, public burdens have been frightened, and our hearts have been made to rejoice with new and brighter hopes But the mission of this grand old party will never be performed until civil service reform shall have become an established real ity in all the departments of govern ment, Federal and State; until the government shall have been brought back to its ancient and constitutional landmarks; until corruptionists, usurp- CTS and the enemies of constitutional liberty shall have been hurled from the high places they have desecrated and until the great fraud by which the peo- pie were robbed of their choice of a President and Vice President of the United States shall have been stigma tized according to its deserts and wis., ited with penalty commensurate with it's enormity.
 Here. at least" he said. 4'it will be conceded. that upon the continued success of our party depends the fu- ture prosperity and happiness of the country. It is important therefore that we consider we'll the means of preserving its efficient organization. Among the most important of these means are mutual concessions among nd ri of ,ray and to1eration. We have not come here as enemies but as friends, not as friends merely, but as brothers, bound together by common principles, com mon sympathies, common interests, a destiny, and a perfect homo gently. If we have brought with us here personal predilections and par tialities upon the one hand, or per- sona1 prejudices upon the other, it is our duty, if it becomes necessary to success, to sacrifice them all upon the altar of the common good.
 Principles, not men, Is a talisman of success as well aA a fundamental doctrine of our party. With this mot 10 inscribed on our banners and with such standard dbearers es this conven- ton ought. and doubtless will, select for the coming contest, it follows as certainly as the night the day that another and overwhelming victory will crown our party in the August elec- tions."
 Colonel Graham named as temporary president of the convention, Hon. E. W. Pettus of Dallas, who came forward and addressed the convention as fol- lows:
 General Pettus Speaks.
 This large convention" he said, "of men of the Democratic party has assembled to consult togeth- CT; to consider and determine so far as party organization may do so, what measures and policy are best call ,ulated to secure peace and prosperity to all the people and to preserve un- tarnished the honor and good name of the State of Alabama. And you are also to select the men you believe most it to i'll the executive offices of the State.
 These important trusts are confded | 70 you by the people. and it is earn | estly desired that every man here will l constantly bear in mind that the well | are of our State and people for two | 'ears, at least, will depend, in a large | degree, on the prudence and wisdom | with which this convention makes l choice of measures and men. As a peo- ole we have many causes for which | we should be most sincerely thankful | 10 our Great Maker.
 '"The Federal soldier no longer l moves with measured tread and | Ihouldered arms, through the halls of | his Capitol to overawe our people and | keep usurpers in office.