The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-01
MIR. RHODES POSITION.

From the Birmingham News.
 The Selma Times of recent date had the following editorials:
 Gen. Rufus N. Rhodes, of the Bir- mingham News, wants to be a delegate to the national democratic convention. Now, if we mistake not, General Rhodes is one of these so-cailed democrats, who, along with Dick Clark and the Montgom- cry Advertiser, strayed from the straight and narrow path of democracy and fol- lowed off after Palmer and Buckner. Is the democratic party of the state going to put F. and B. men in the front to platform for the democracy to stand onf We think 1t would be little more mod est in General Rhodes in view of all the circumstances, to aspire to be delegate from his district rather than the state at large. We had very much rather see men like General Pettus, John B. Knox, H. s. D. Mallory, Joseph F. Johnstons and scores of others that we could mem tion, men who never sought shelter be- hind Palmer and Buckner or any other kind of astworks-democrats who stood out in the open and took their med- icne, whether they liked 1t or not We do not believe that the Alabama democ- racy Is willing yet to send democrats like General Rhodes to represent the state at large"
 It Is inexpllcable that the editor of the Times should be so Ill informed. Ordi- nary care for the accuracy of his state ments should have suggested an investi- gation before making a charge so serious. He should have known the facts. how ever, without investigation.
 The editor of the News Is democrat.
 In 1896 and 1900 he did not endorse the democratic platform. but he voted the democratic ticket from MT. Bryan down. As suggested by the Times, he took his medicine, and incidentally, 1t may be added, is willing to take his medicine again.
 The time has come when, in the opinion of the editor of the News, democrats can and ought to get together. This end can- not be attained so long as there are Cleveland democrats and Bryan demo- crats. The need of the hour is for plain democrats, without any qualification The democratic party is bigger than MT Cleveland and MT. Bryan put together in connection with the presidential nom nation, although the support of both should be welcomed.
 The editor of the News is opposed to the reaffirmation of the Chicago and Kan sas City platforms. Let us have St. Louis platform with the issues of the day dealt with according to democratic doctrine.
 Let us have harmony. Let us bury the old differences and drop the old questions which caused bitterness and dissention Stop recriminating. Let there be no prescription of democrats by democrats.
 Let us have a platform that all demo- crats can stand on and ticket that all democrats can vote for. In other words. let us have safe man and a conserva- tive platform The personnel of the dele gaton to the next democratic conven- tion from Alabama really is of compara- lively little importance. The overshadow ing question at the present time Is how the democrats can get together and face with an undivided front an enemy al- ways united.
 The editor of the News has thus ex- pressed his personal position because the Selma Times has made a charge without a particle of foundation, but one which might find credence among those who have not been in position to keep posted