The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-19
LONG GROWS STILL
MORE OPTIMISTIC
Regent Events Have Given Chills
TO AmenderS
REESE'S WORDS A FACTOR
Col. Hilary A. Herbert's Letter Is Also
Proving Hard Thing To An
swer-Hundreds Call at.
Headquarters.
REESE'S WORDS A FACTOR

Chairman Lee Long, after a visit to
Montgomery and Butler counties is
again at state headquarters in Bir-
mingham.
He is very optimistic He does not
concede a single county to those who
would amend the constitution of Ala
bama.
Thousands of letters reached the desk
of the chairman yesterday. Thousands
of letters bearing literature left head
quarters to tell the story OF the dan
ger with which the state is threatened.
Hundreds of Alabamians called at
headquarters. They came from every
direction. They brought the same
tale
1.-THE outlook could not be brighter"
It begins to appear that the amend
ment will be overwhe lmingly defeated.
During the last several days a dozen or
more incidents have occurred to deal 1t
body blows There was the interview
of Col Hilary A. Herbert, who was a
member of Clevelands cabinet, in
which the menace to the people and
their homes which the second section
of the amendment contains, was pointed
out
The Homes Endangered.
Then there followed the admission or
Senator Henry F. Reese at Maplesville.
The man who fought the battles of
Conner in the senate, who struggled for
every bill dealing with the liquor ques-
ton and won out, declared In his de-
bate with Phares Coleman Saturday
last that the homes are endangered by
the proposed amendment. He said:
Had framed the prohibition amend
ment bill, 1 would have arranged that
second section in order that the homes
of the people might be eliminated from
possible danger"
Leaders of the anti-amendment forces
believe that this admission of Senator
Reese is sending hundreds who have re-
manned on the fence into the camp of
those opposing the movement against
the homes.
The ranks of the defenders are nu-
merioally increased every day by the
coming of those who have listened for
the argument to remove the fear that
the second section will destroy the sane
| tity of the home. They have listened
| in vain for Corners answer or Weak
ley's answer to the question:,
IF blow was intended for the
homes of the people, why were not the
homes. by provision In the amend
Inent guaranteed protection for al
ways7"
They remember the argument of
Judge N. D. benson at Clanton The
alb lost amender In the state failed 10
satisfy when he said:
I'm the second section there does not
occur the word n ONE or the word
seizure"
So those from the fence are leapinE
pell NELL into the ranks of the defend
ers. And the leaders are becoming
each day more and more optimistic.
The people are telling by letter and
by mouth the reasons for their CONVEX
sion. Some point to the admission of
Senator Reese. 9th ers point to the ar
guments of John B. Knox, Dr. Wyman
Dr. Richardson Colonel Herbert and
numerous other big men Of the state.
Others mention the fact that the
amenders are endeavoring to deceive
with political trick. They point to
the fact that Weakley, Seed and NAL
Tory are lighting for the amendment
and at the same time running for gov
ernor,
Some send the simple quotation,
you know you'd be cowardly skunks
were you to fail to stand by and see
me vindicated"-which was the refrain
of Governor Corners now famous
speech at Clanyon some weeks ago.
Everybody Is Aroused.
Indeed. the people seem more aroused
than at any other time since the day
Of tho first carpetbagger.
The farmer Is leaving his pillow In
the field and buckling on the sabre.
The business man has left his desk to
engage actively In the fight for the
homes and for liberty. The miner Is
emerging from the scene Of his toll and
prepares to strike for the Preside and
for his loved ones
The cheers Of the defenders arc ring
ing from every stump in every county
in the state. The voters have Joined
battle, and the victory is nj their
grasp.
The leaders of the amenders are
frantic. With furious stride they rush
along the wavering line and madly ex-
hort. But on the wall they see In
scribed-Defeat.
And the noisy boast of a majority of
10000 fails to drive away the fear that
fingers round the heart and chills.
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