The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-07-27

and more friendless have the ooors
closed on them, and they are losl, may
be forever. Never again are the gates
to be opened except to form an egfess
for the men who bear the worn out pody
for his final resting place Ihere ara
innocent people in the penitentlary anu
men who wear out their lives there
wish I knew who they were The board
of pardons. every one of them, would
like to know who they are. In the name
of the state we would let them out and
hog their pardon. That would be the ex-
tent of the restoration that could be
given them. The growing gray In the
hair, the withered hands, the feebler
steps, and the ignominy of stripes have
been the reward. I'm my time, of some
friendless and innocent persons. More
than once | have begged such a mans
pardon in the name Of the state
ut must not be inferred that | am
charging an Inconsistency In the exeeu-
ton of the laws in this state, which are
not true of all other states in greater
or lesser degree. Not at all The rem
edy is not in your representatives. The
statutes are fairl, right already. The
remedy is in public opinion. and YOU
make that Public opinion makes the
laws. and In our case good laws; but 1t
takes another public opinion to execute
them, wonderful to say.
Dignity OF the Editors.
There Is no dignity superior to one
any brave editor may assume. No Judge
on the bench performs a higher duty
than that particular editor who has nd
tive capacity large requirements, is
! seeped In patriotism and has the enthusi-
| astie courage OF his convictions When IL
is known that Editor Smith has brains.
| courage conviction and conservatism
| there Is hardly a limit to the power he
| may WELD In the field OF his activity.
| My. my, what power for good How
| In life the demagogue shrinks and shriyels
under the well directed fire of his con-
Stunning pen; and the honest stakeholder
or office seeker gets his deserts.
There are editors not so equipped. or
| I should say there were such editors a
| few years ago, barking back to my own
| time. The editors Of that day had no
| difficulty In solving the most intricate
| problems. They did not doubt their ON
niscience. They solved all the great prob
lens with their bright pens so readily,
| so accurately and so completely that
| they would not allow their minds to
dwell on the suggestion that their mental
arrangements halted or hesitated on the
! way to perfect conclusion. And they ar
| rived so soon. They were not In my
| time. either fallibe or slow If Gladstone
| important matter of state. these editors
got the facts and the key by wireless.
and served It for breakfast.
There were more prophets than edi-
tors I'm my time. The Delphic oracle was
last years almanac They were a
| ready reference library. quick witted and
al-wise. This was I'm times before the
present times. | cannot begin to say OF
! you what | thought was allowable to be
| said of the editors of those other years.
Yours Is a Great calling and every
| days work should be approached with
| a solemn sense Of its Importance and
power You make public sentiment See
| tc IT that It is a sentiment strong enough
| to write the proper laws and strong
| enough to execute them, strong enough
| to produce a sentiment which looks above
| all things else to an orderly government
| without which there can be neither per-
manent peace. happiness or prosperity
| for our people"