The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-11-10
Gals Up Hi, Record sfPubic Ser vice to Prove His Sincerity ana Sounds a Warning to Voters of Alabama of Dangers Wrapped Up in the Measure.

I .
 HUn. Thomas wilkes Coleman. one of the purest men and abiest jurists that Alabama has ever produced. from his home In Eutaw, where in graceful retirement he is enjoying the comforts earned by useful and fruitful life. has Issued an earnest and eloquent plea against the proposed amendment to the lconstitution.
 Judge Coleman, . former member of the state Supreme court declares that the proposed amendment is menace so the rights and liberties of the people. and in his able discussion of che issue he speaks with intense earn estness of this danger,
 '.rhe past record is known to many people of Alabama" says Judge Cole man, "for my life had not been hidden in e corner. Now in old age. I am told that win be derelict in my duty to my countryman and will assist in per petuating great wrong to my wife and children and grand children and the families of others unless I support the amendment. If my past does not refute the charge of dereliction of duty to my country. 1t is too late now for me to begin. A for my wife, with whom I have lived for nearly half century. and my children and grand children. and there are many. Let the record go on I will write It's present down as I believe it to be.
 Message 10 Pestcrfty.
 ssWhen I saw that an attempt was being made to strip off the armor which protected them in the enjoyment of their personal rights. and to break down the breastworks around their homes and to destroy it's sanctity; when saw those who believe in Christ, should not procure the elements which He Himself selected to be used an commemoratfon of His death. until he came again. except as Legislature of the State might prescribe and regulate (for all these objections are in the amendment). tell them and pro- lcIaim 1t from the house tops that I. their ancestor. protested and revolted iagafnst this tyranny and what regard lmG an tuBulE 10 our lOEU anu AaabtcE
 AFelI them I would go to the stake Nefereif would wiifingiy surrender shose Sacred rights and principles iThis is true whether the readers be- Iaieve 1t or not. and am willing for fhe record to be so handed down..}
 Judge Coleman. honored by all Ala hasnians is the best beloved man of West Alabama, end in that section the statement is certain to produce a deep Impression.
 Judge colemanss statement. which is signed is in full as follows:
 some confusion of Ideas would be avoided by the observance of few accepted rules applicable to the proper framing of 6 constitutional provision and the interpretation when framed. '.One of these, and one generally conceded. is that 1t is not the purpose and should not be regarded as being within the province of a state sconsti- tuition to confer upon the Legislature any power of any character whatever. As all the people can not meet to frame laws, the Legislature represent ing all of the people is just as su- preme and absolute as the whole peo- DIe would be In convention assembled except when the people by covenant with each other and for the protection of each other have agreed that their representatives as a Legislature shall not modest or Interfere with certain re- served rights, and this covenant of the people with each other is evidenced by the constitution. The constitution was not adopted to confer power. but to restrict power.
 "No provision which invests the Legislature with authority at it's dis erection to modify or restrict or invade the rights and privileges reserved in 4he Bill of Rights should ever become "a part of the constitution. A discre- f1ion to act is Inconsistent with the Iprohibition to act. No security or ipersona1 privilege in the Bill of Rights scan be relied upon as constitutional protection if the Legislature Is vested ! with authority to trespass upon 1t at .discretion. These propositions I be- klisve to be sound and arise in the Hpresent controversy.
 T know sometimes there are consti-