The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-07-04
GREAT PICNIC AT
HORSESHOE BEND
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ~

the eastern states, from all over the sun
lighted plains of the west; from the fer
tile valleys of the Mississippi; they are
coming even from the golden shores of
distant Oregon and California-to Ala
bama.
Bunker Hill has her monument. White
Plains has hers. Valley Forge has hers
Chickamauga hers and Gettysburg hers.
Why not the Horseshoe Bend hers. in
memory of the brave Montgomery and
other heroes who laid down their lives
for the great principle of the supremacy
of the white man over the red?
"Virginia claims the distinction of hav-
ing given birth to Lemuel Montgomery
but the whole nation pays tribute to
his memory. Let us build national
monument on the battle-ground of Horse
shoe Bend"
Governor Conner Speaks.
Mr. Bulger then introduced Governor
Conner, VINO opened by paying a high
tribute to the bravery and purposeful
character of General Jackson. He re-
viewed briefly the five months campaign
of Jackson against the Creek Indians, and
his decisive campaign on this battle
, ground. He also referred in warm COM
mendation to the men who followed jack
son, referred to the acknowledgment that
had been made of their worth by the
state of Alabama in naming several of
her counties for them-Hale, Montgomery,
Houston. Jackson and Lauderdale.
He said that it is more than proper that
the rational government should do some-
/ thing for these heroes and to mark the
scene of one of the greatest conflicts
| on American soil.
Ee referee, briefly to the work of the
| last legislature and declared that subse-
quent events had proven the members Of
thai body more than lawmakers. ''They
| are statesmen" he declared He took oc-
casion to reaffirm his position on five
| leading issues-Compulsory education tax
! equalization, prohibition, railroad regula-
ton and states rights. He indicated h s
determination to secure If possible the
passage of a compulsory education law
at the coming special session. He de-
clan ed that If these is any man in Ala
harna that will not send his children to
school he should be made to do so.
Prohibition Laws.
He declared mat he was more than ever
determined lo enforce the prohibition
laws of the siate. He said that that issue
had resolved itself into the question,
"Shall the people of Alabama or the
| whisky traffic ruler
Wilkinson Speaks.
Secretary OF Agriculture J. A. Wilkinson
followed the governor. He was received
with great enthusiasm and his speech
! was very appropriate to the occasion. He
| spoke Of the great advances that have
| been made in agriculture and the arts Of
peace since that historic day when this
was Il scene OF savage warfare. He con-
| graduated the people on the general up
| lift thar is now in progress in the rural
| districts and the general prosperity of the
people.
Mr.. Heflin Speaks.
| After an hour and a half spent in the
! enjoyment of the basket dinner and other
| diversions Congressman ]. Thomas Hef-
| lin reopened the speaking in a mastery
| address, in which he reviewed the history
| of the conflict in the south with the Cree,s
| Indians and the final battle here and the
appropriateness of dedcating here ma
tional park in commemoration of the
| event He announced that he had intro
duced a bill in Congress asking for an APP
preparation of $4,000 for purchase of the
| ground, about 200 acres, and for the build
ing of the park. He said that he felt sure
of the final passage of the bill.
He announced that G. E. Burnett OF
Lafayette, manager of the McLemore es-
tate, had offered free of cost all the gran
te necessary for the building of any
monument that might be proposed. Mr.
| Burnett was present and confirmed the
| offer He shiwed a sample of the granite
| which has been tested and pronounced
as fine as any in the United States Mr.
Hehin's speech was in his happiest veir
and was we'll received.
Thomas M. Owen.
Thomas M. Owen presented a most in
terestng and fascinating history of tn,
final struggles with the Red Men In Ala
bama and the opening of this great stat
to the peaceful settlement of the whit
race.
Music was furnished during the day b.
the Lanett concert band. Company II
Third regiment, under Capt. N. S. Walker