The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-28
Great Barbecue Is Attended By
 Fully 2OO0 People
MANY LADIES ATTEND
BIsckmon, Long, Wlilett and Others Speak-Defenders Are Satisfied With Fight and Are Conf
 dent of Victory.
By J. E. STANLEY.

Annlston, November T.-(special. )-The most memorable campaign in the history of Alabama was closed for Calhoun county here today by those opposing the adoption of the proposed constitutional amendment at an all-day speaking and free barbecue. Voters from every pre- cinct in the county and from beats out side the county, assembled to voice their protest against placing in the power of an unwise legislature the right to Invade their homes in unreasonable search for a beverage they have been at liberty to keep there since time began.
 And they came strong, and the voieing of their sentiment against 1t was strong. A conservative estimate places the crowd in attendance when the opening address was made by Fred L. Blaclxmon at 2OoO. were there. and sat in the space especial ly provided for them throughout the three hours consumed in speech-malSing without an evidence of weariness. About 300 of them were there. They stayed and ate the barbecue. only to hear more 
 They generously applauded the emphatic denial of MT. Long that all good women were on the side of the amendists, and showed, too. that they were interested in the home just as much as a mere man can be, though not In the way in which the amendists would have them show their interest.
 The Confederate veterans. some on crutches, others with an empty sleeve. were there, wearing their crosses of honor above or below the emblem adopted by the defenders-the miniature hag-and when the appeal was made by MT. Long for them to go out once more in defense of the home they answered as in one voice, "We wiIll"
 The speaking was presided over by Capt. A. P. Agee, chairman of the anti amendment forces in Calhoun county, who in his first introductory speech well comed the immense throng on behalf of the city and its voters.
 Fred L. Blackmon, state representative from this district, was introduced and spoke first.
 Tom L. Long of Walker county was next introduced, and spoke for moro than an hour His speech was bitter attack
 
 present political turmoil, his bitterness being occasioned more by indignation at the high-handed manner employed by them in the question than personal dis likes.
 J. J. willett followed MT. Long in g happy little talk of purely local interest, in which the county amenders were scored for inconsistency and false claims, and the crowd adjourned to the tables that had been erected for the serving of the barbecue.
 After the feast was over two more ad- dresses by J. J. Arnold and s. w. Tate were listened to.
 Taken all in all, the rally was a big one and a good one. Ideal weather pre- vailed, and the comfort of the guests of the antis was looked after personally by committee appointed for that purpose During the speaking water was passed among the people, benches were provided for the old people and chairs for the ladies.
 The success of this meeting and the joint debate last Monday afternoon be- tween s. J. Bowie and Kyle B. Price has served to make the antis more optimistic than ever over the success of their cause, both of these meetings serving to blow up the Notifications which the amenders have thrown up in the county.
 The antis are content to rest their case. feeling that they have made e good, clean fight, and that the voters will place the stamp of approval on their campaign next Monday.
 majority of 300 against the amend ment for this county is now regarded as a very conservative estimate.
 s. ". Tate addressed meeting of the antis in Beat Il last night. An enthusias- tic audience of 200 men and women were present.
 The closing of the registration books for this county today showed total reg istration of a little more than 400. This Is unusually heavy for a registration at this time.
 Sails For Home.
 London, November N.-John R. Carter, the retiring secretary of the American embassy here, sailed on the Lusitania for New York today.