The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-10

had a great deal of Sabbath leisure, but I thought, perhaps, 1t was not good to communicate with you tiil your frame of mind was Tn good con dition. I don't know how long the Sylacauga fear can hold on to an edi- tor. but it should be stacking its hold by this time and hence l take up my pen. The flight to Coden reminded me of an army incident to which for long time my comrades and were wont not to allude. The day had de- clined when We were engaged in the rear, by the enemy. Some how there suddenly and unanimously sprang up within us a spirit of laudable ambi- tion and I recollect no other instance in the war when we so vied with each 2 other for the front. Indeed, we travelled for miles Tn the dark in great haste and ip a perfect abandon of military order. The engagement last ed long beyond supper time but we didn't give 1t a thought Our officers were thoroughly imbued with the pre- vailing spirit and, having better horses than the balance of us. kept well up in the advance.
 We thought Sherman had turned loose every one of his dogs of war" upon us, but as they were unprovided with wings, we lost not man. We afterwards learned that our fear had multiplied two Yankees into many, thousands After we got so we could speak of the incident with some calmness we concluded those two Yankees must have had heap of fun which we didn't enjoy.
 Fear will magnify danger and, l imagine the Man With Speech en- joyed, immensley, the Flight to Coden. After the thing is all over 1t seems 1t would have been better for the Press Association to listen to the speech at Sylacauga.
 The speech had to come and the Press Association could have afforded as well to be the literary Sairey Camps as the later unofrending congregation at Mount Springs. I have seen fel- lows in the labor pains of coming speech and like to see 'em relieved. Sometimes a beginner in speech mak- ing is one of the devils means of mak- ing good men fall from grace. but they improve with practice There was Ben Tillman and Cicero and Bryan and Demosthenes. I would mention Hdbson and Bankhead but they are ex- captions to the rule-they were better before they began, but are happily un- conscious of 1t.
 However, there is no good sense in running from a poor speech. After all. there were so many features of the speech with which you, and all ot you, should be familiar that there was no more danger in hearing than run ming.
  most rancid Populism but Democrats should never fear any kind of Popu- lism unless they've neglected that eter- nal vigilance of the ballot box that perpetuates the pure Democracy. If the ballot box is propertly guarded Cts hitherto) there is not much danger from the People If the Press is an index of conditions, that Flight to Coden is an intimation of fear that the People may break into the "Cita- del" and give Democracy what Paddy gave the drum. If the poor niggers were not disfranchised they could put up another noble fight against this hydra headed Populism that bellows and brays In the Democratic camp It seems like all of you prominent Democrats are willing to use even the worse kind of Populism to-get into office. They ought to be ashamed of themselves
 They seem to think that enmity to our great corporations is the chief Public Virtue. Some of 'em may be running with the hare and holding with the hounds" but that is not only reprehensible but desp1sable.
 Populism, pure and reasonable, Is right, but this rancid, frenzied kind masquerading under the clothes and colors of Democracy is dangerous.
 You ought to advise every body that what we need, in the State, is revival
  lism that desires the adjustment of law that will satisfy all parties with out injury to any. Get the thinking Democrats to conclude that If Popu- lism Is to obtain in the State because the ballot box is now properly guard ed, then. for the LorGs sake search out those who were Tand are) Popu- list without being fools and elect em.
 Have no Democratic primary to nominate frantic Populists. Get Good wyn to call Populist convention and will be fair and honest towards the railroads If these fool fellows get in it may have a tendency to stop the development which has helped to make the State rich and great.
 Your Association may have antici- pated bilious moral harangue against the use of the railroad pass. I don't blame you for wanting to escape that. I have heard of so many things being harmful that are not bad, that l don't like to listen to men who have focus ed the very greatest evil. I knew a poor fellow once, who was unfortu- nately my kinsman, that made war on the drinking habit. He stumped a great State and at every place was charmingly eloquent against whiskey. The tour of the State closed at the Canitol. A tremendous crowd waited
 
 ion of Temperance but he came not. And the crowd heard him not because he was in his room completely captive to the very enemy he had been fight ing
 Sometimes a fellow who has enjoyed inc pleasure of the railroad pass is its worst enemy-when he can get one no more.
 like a pass; like to ride on 1t; like +o have it as a domestic luxury.
 Don't even let one of these moral discontents persuade you to give up the pass.
 I read a sad story once in connection with a pass It was about young fell low carrying a flag. He was passing through a village in the hill country about dusk, but not too dark for the street people to see four great big let ters on his banner-"X. L. c. R."
 At first he was supposed to be the aarly or belated flag bearer of a mili- tary company, but as he didn't break in- to any stores or otherwise betray any droped the idea that he was connected with the military. As he didn't stop at drug store nor dispensary he was thought to De member Of the Anti-Sa- loon League and entitled to all the sym pathy which the public owes to the fe ,- ble-minded, and everybody began to volunteer advice.
 He had about got through the town and may have been heading for the depot when an elderly gentleman with a sensitive conscience cried out to him in great alarm. Try not the pass!" He