The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-03-03
LETTER FROM JUDGE ANDERSON

The Advertiser did not copy from The Alabama Christian Advocate the article referring to an unfortunate episode at Athens on occasion of the late Chief Justice Mcclellan's funeral, It publishes, however, the letter Of As- soclate Justice Anderson. from which the main idea of The Advocate article can be gathered The Advocate of this week says:
 personal letter from Judge John C. Anderson and have permission to puh- Rev. J. D. Enis. Birmingham. Ala. been called to an editorial in the last issue of The Alabama Christian Advo- cate. in which you. as. editor. bring against certain officials s of f our beloved State. So far as 1t refers to me, it pains me to havo to plead guilty in part
 or the trip up to Athens was greatly depressed over tho death of our lauented Chief Justice: I had con- tracfed a severe cold. and, besides, my a winters hard work, and unfortu- uately took several drinks. which were 3s IS the case with any quantity. too much for mci Upon my arrival at
 
 ] did not go to the house where the body of the Chief Justice lay in state the next day as felt too bad, but did go to the cemetery when the body of ~ the cemetery l saw many of your RiNntngham citizens, who, | do not think. will say that was Intoxicated there, My modification has been as keen as man could feel over this un- forIunatn folly, and your article has but added to my remorse and humil- iation.
 For twenty years. with but d few ex- eeptipns. 1 have led life of almost total abstinence. My young manhood was almost blighted by the whiskey SgsSs SssS saSa Sut hy ;bi the helg of G9d have the depths of ruin. though I have tot tered upon the brink a few times. I have been on the bench eleven years. ence of liquor in the slightest when discharging an official duty; still ap- preciate the fact that all men, aud es- pecialfy public officials, should set q worthy cxample, whether on duty or not; and I trust and promise by the help of God to commit no act or folly in the future that can reflect upon me as a citizen, or bring in question the reputation of an honorable office be- slowed upon me by the good people of my native State.
 Many of the readers of your paper They have been true true to me, @ not ss; only since fortune has in measure fav- pred me, but they stood by mo In the shadowy part of my life when I was It grieves me beyond measure that they should consider me unworthy of the trust which they have in paTt re- were cognizant of all the facts in the caso., knew fully my heart, they would readily grant the forgfvness I crave and stsll uphold me with their pray erss
 Iris human to err
 Divine to forgive"
 While I have some times toppled and stumbled myself, have always tried to extend a helping hand to q fallen brother. and I beg for myself what have always extended to my fellow man---chsrity anu Forgiveness
 jno. C. Anderson. ,otS. The letter of Judge Anderson Sa could have said would have so moved us as that contained in this letter. There Is note of sincerity in it that can not be questioned, manly con- Yession that eiicits admiration, a re- pentance that shows 8 deep feeling and sensitiveness to his own error that gives hope of better things. A cow ard or a knave could not have penned those words: 1t took a courage that is to be highly commended.
 This letter came to us after the re- maining portion of the paper was made up: This letter, in our judE- ment, and so far as we are concerned. puts Judge Anderson, as a man, in a very different attitude to the situation from the remaining gentlemen; To Judge Anderson. as an individual. we would say that we sympathize with him in his struggle, and pray that he may win the battle which he says he has fought so hard and so long. The general principle expressed in our ed- itorial concerning an official we. of course must adhere to. The object of for that we have no tasre. nor was it to work any personal injury, for we had nothing against any man. Neither did our information come from any political source; for we would not take the risk of being used in such a way by any political faction. All we want is morality and uprightness.