The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-27
SPEECH IS DELIVERED
 UNDER DIFFICULTIES
Fierce Storm Rages Throughout, But Clark Hall Is Packed With Eager Audience-lntrodu duced by
 Governor Conner.
BY HUGH w. ROBERTS.


 sota's great democratic son delivered the annual address to the Society of the Alumni of the University of Alabama this morning in Clark hall
 rainstorm In which thunder and lightning played prominent roles caused the annullment of the original plan to have the oration in the open. As suit the vast audience (there was never a more representative Alabama gathering in the history of the state) was crowded into the pit of Clark hall. Not only was every seat occupied, but every available foot of space in the aises was covered by chairs. Every window sill bore it's human burden. The gallery was as com- pfetely filled as the pit. Beyond the doors the people were huddled together uncom- fortabe with the heat, but determined to see and hear the great tcommoner" con- corning which so much has been writ ten.
 The elements initiated against the dis tinguished orator. The rolling thunder and sharp flashes of lightning made the audience restless. The pouring rain ne- cesstated the closing of the huge win dows and indirectly added to the inten- sity of the heat. The waving of fans and folded sheets of paper, the movement of feet, uneasy from the temperature, maintained perpetual buzz, which. had Governor Johnson's voice not been in perfect trim, would have rendered his audience pablo of following his train of thought.
 Grafton a Classic.
 In his oration Governor Johnson traced democracy from its natal hour to the present time. The oration was a classic of its kind, a masterful treatise of the di- vine rights of man, and an incomparable argument for the unchanged position which democracy has occupied for count less years
 The subject was not one to inspire an audience with unrestrainable enthusiasm, even had the weather been more propi- tious and the heat less intense. The ator. indeed. was further handicapped by the fact that he read from manuscript. thus confining himself to historical fact and lore, and denying his hearers those things for which they were greedy-his personal beliefs, the statements of his opinions, and perhaps his criticism.
 And near the conclusion of his oraton. Governor Johnson seemed to realize that he had made a mistake, for, impulsivey hurling away his manuscript and elevat- ing his voice, he shot from the shoulder those truths reverenced by men of the south, and in style calculated to arouse sleeping enthusiasm.
 No sooner had he taken this action than the audience sprung to it's feet, as it were, and the tumultuous applause, ring ing and reverberating about the classic walls, caused the storm on the outside to be forgotten and the heavy thunder to roll unheeded.
 It was in this moment that the force of the man was demonstrated. It was at this moment that the audience realized why. against the opposition of predatory wealth and machine politics Johnson had assumed the governorshp of Minnesota; why, in other words, he had become the statesman and man of prominence he is today without the assistance of money and an early education.
 For 10 minutes Governor Johnson in
 
 fense of the rights of states, in demand ing the restoration of power to the people and in the promulgaton of other we'll es- tablished principles of democracy.
 During these closing 10 minutes the audience was a cheering audience. an en- thusiastic audience, one on it's feet, one waving it's hat and crying aloud it's ap- proval
 Given an Ovation.
 It was thus the oration was brought to a close. No sooner had the distinguished gentleman taken his seat than hundreds, crowding upon the rostrum, rushed to meet him and grasp his hand.
 This reception was the continuation of an hours inactivity. The audience, as stated. was perhaps the most representa- tive that was ever gathered together in this state. There was present every mem Der of the states official family. There were present the representative men of every profession. There were present practically the entire population of Tus- caloosa and surrounding country. There were present the entire student body of the university in it's several departments. There were present an innumerable num- Der of alumni from every section of the state. In addition special trains, operated from three directions, flooded the city with people curious to see and hear Min nesota great son.
 Gov Braxton Bragg Conner introduced the speaker, after the Rev. Dr. Snedecor had offered prayer The Alabama Glee club rendered a selection. Then Cover nor Johnson stood before the people
 The audience immediately sprung to its feet and a tumutuous applause welcomed the orator.
 Light Pleasantly.
 As introductory to his oration, Gov ernor Johnson indulged in light pleas antry that was delivered in inimitable style and manner. He drew a broad smile, one of unutterable pleasure, across the face of his audience. He re-