The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-26
WILL GIVE LOYAL AID
 WHOEVER IS THE NOMINEE
City's Guest Spends Entire Day Here and Is Shown Over District. He Leaves for Tuscaloosa
 This Morning.


 Gov. John A. Johnson of Minnesota, a man with the reputation of ''plain man of the people," and who is exceedingly popular in his native state. This popu- larity was increased here if outer indica- | tons are to be taken for aught, for the distinguished presidential possibility made warm personal friends of each of those with whom he came in contact. He arrived in Birmingham at 5:30 yes- terday morning and registered at the Morris hotel. Shortly afterward he was waited on by reception committees from | the Commercial club and the University 1 of Alabama Alumni association, later be- ing escorted to the residence of A. G.. Smith, where he was a guest at luncheon. In the afternoon he was taken on an automobile trip around the district, and last night was the guest of the Commer- cial club at "non-politicar' banquet, given at the Country club.
 | Nearly 100 guests were seated around the banquet table, which was presided over by John L. Kaul, president of the Commercial club, who introduced Walker Percy as toastmaster. MT. Percy in turn introduced Governor Johnson. MT. KauTs talk had kept within the bounds prescribed for the "non-politicaP ban quet, but MT. Percy began playing off, side" shortly after taking the floor.
 Governor Johnson's address was short but interesting and to the point. It was in part as follows:
 Governor Johnson Speaks. For 20 years my life was that of an editor of an obscure country paper Tn Minnesota. It was the custom among the people of that community whenever there was a death for the family of the de- ceased to call around at my 2ffice day or two after the funeral with card or thanks or a bouquet of flowers thanking me for having inserted a notice in my paper in regard to the death. But 1t was never my experlence for corpse to come and present me a card of thanks. But I think it is the time now for me to arise out of my political grave and thank Ala bama.
 "It was said by some of my friends here that l should have visited Alabama before your primary. am afraid II hao' that instead of receiving a,OOO votes would only have received a,OOO.
 "As I have stated before, the result of the Alabama primary was happy disappointment to me. Practically an un- known factor in national pontlcs, anu especially so to Alabama, feel that l have been honored in receiving 31,OOO votes from the people of this state, and It Will always be looked back upon by me as one of the happiest milestones in my lire. "In Minnesota we have 100000 democrats who like to nght the republicans all of the time and who like to fight among themselves most of the time. In Georgia and in Alabama l have found 1t the same way, and I have felt at home.
 My whole life l have been democrat I want to correct the idea of my being d. candidate for the democratic presiden- tial nomination, foreI don't know whether I am really entitled to the honor of being candidate or not. But if my party in convention thinks that may be of serv- ice in this way will be around where they can find me. But if they crystalize towards someone else l will rally around l their nominee and work for him all can
 My sole idea in being a candidate, if I may be so called, for this honor is to give the people a chance to express them selves We are drifting towards gov- ernmental centralization, and my only wish is that the people will decide that it is best to return to democratic prin- oiples. Thank God, the republicans this
  counts and the full dinner pail
 Have Much In Common.
 "This is not the only time that l have been in your section, and the more come the more I realize that your people and my people are alike. There is much we have in common. The only difference ap- pears to be that the trains run east and west more than north and south, or else we would be even closer together. "I want to say just word about Bir. mingham Up in my country we have often heard of Birmingham, but I must say that I was much astonished at the development of this city. One of the most hustle of your people you appear to me as an infant yet in swaddlNg clothes compared to what you will yet attain. l vas more impressed with it than any other southern city and as much so as any city in the north. Atlanta and Bir- mingham are considered the great cities of the southland in my home, but Bir- mingham has struck me as the greatest of them all.
 But what has impressed me more than all is that despite your activity and your immense amount of work, you have found time to care for the stranger within your gates.'
 Raul Introduces Percy.
 In introducing MT. Percy as toastmas- ter, MT. Raul had also referred to Gov ernor Johnson, saying: we have the pleasure of entertaining the greatest man of the northwest. A man who is a shin ing example of what is possible in this country; a man who is possessed of the three things necessary for greatness-in- tegrity. intelligence and courage" Percy Introduces Guest. ernor Johnson, said: We have all come here to extend a cordial welcome to our guest of the evening. This is not John-