The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-21
HAS SEEN THE LIGHT.
He Will Never Again Follow The
 AgltatOrs.

Agltators.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 Let us go back to Democracy. I read somewhere that the last Legislature passed a bill to commemorate the birth of Thomas Jefferson. While think we have enough holidays, l believe that this bill Is about the only commend able act that was passed. insomuch that 1t points to simple Democratic principles. and there is no better time than this to study the teaching Of one of the founders of Democracy. We owe to Jefferson. more than to any other man the freedom and liberty that we have heretofore enjoyed. lie believed in simple and few laws and in ire quent elections for the reason that should the people, through misguided leaders. pass unwholesome and obnox- ious laws. they could have the privi- lege of repeating and correcting the same. before running the country; His keen intellect and broad mind sur Veyed the whole field; 1t was easy for him to be statesman, because he be- lieved what he taught, pure and simple Democracy.
 He was peaceable statesman. Through his genius and farsightedness. of the Mississippi. known as the Louisiana Purchase. He did 1t with out furry of trumpet. or firing gun. A man of his times and all times. see ing people fleeing to this country be cause of their religious beliefs, he hao incorporated in the Constitution the fundamental law that every man should worship God according to the dictates of his conscience. that has made us a free people as much as any act ever passed by any governing pow CT. We would do well to go back to his teachings. Look what mess we have made of the Democratic Party for the past twelve years. We have listened to the song of the siren and jumped at conclusions Why l voted for K. F. Kolb. and thought we woulo be ruined if we did not get him. Then came another bugaboo. Tho railroads were running the country; we had Co mer of the Commission fighting for the dear people. who were being robbed. smith calmly and with masterful logic combatted Conner at every point. but false idea and agitation had done it's work. l was partisan and voted for Conner. Good, conservative business men talked to me but l was s blind as bat" I voted for Comer-then came this terrible Legislature. l still scales fell from my eyes, Alas! was too late. Destruction had been done. What next? This great temperance upheaval. It could no more be stopped than you could stop Kolb and Comer- I had voted for Conner said surely he would stick to the Local option plat form afraid of public. opinion. He de- serted his platform for conscience or for power. l like a true man. He was nominated and elected q Democrat on q Local Option platform-when there  I like true Republican; admire e staunch Prohibitionist and like a true Democrat-look at Tennessee. Her bus mess is being demoralized but at the head, against all odds, we find the noble Governor Patterson, standing erect against all odds. Democtat of the old school.
 l am not going to vote for any more reforms. If you want reform. join the church and stick up to your creed h you want a temperance creed. be tenn perate. Christ did not interfere with any laws of the country that He passed through. He taught temperance in alt things" Render unto Ceasar the things that are Ceasars." I never heard of his mixing in politics. Let the people run the government accord- ing to Democratic or Republican prin- ciples; or let them elect a Prohibition President and Governor. on Prohibi- tton platform. I do not intend to side track the Democratic Party again with Prohibs or isms, and now, Grandma. 1 use to think you mighty mean, but \ fear, too late. I find you right.
 l. ask your forgiveness; never again will be anything but 8 regular Demo- crat.
 John Cunningham LowndeS County
 March 19. 1909