The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-12

 blind fanaticism or Interested poll tics. NOT THE PLAYTHING OF POLITICS..
 The jealous care with which true Democrats regard their vested rights and which will stand between the Consultation and the attempts of pol- iticians and agitators to tamper with 1t for their own ends is shown by tho thoughtful letter from Hon. B.. r. weathers. member of the Consti- tutiouai Convention of 1878. and . magnificent soldier in the Confederate army from 1881 to 1865. Thoughtful leaders. like MT. weathers. who have passed through the storm and stress of political circumstance. will not will tingly abrogate one right. which has been conferred upon them nor will they patch and trim the Constitution. in order that the results of c political agitation may be crystaiized and per- petuated in the organic law of the State.
 This deep rooted principle; this Jeai- ous care of conferred rights will con found the men who forced this unfor- tunate fight on the people of Alabama. This loyalty to the older and finer ideals of government. once so hon. ored. and recently so condemned. will protect the Constitution and restore sanity in Alabama. Even the agita- tors. 1t is said, are now saying among themselves that they probably made a mistake when they raised this storm of discord in Alabama. The ris- ing storm of the peoples disapproval is seen upon the horizon.
 For be it known and be 1t remem- bered that the demand for constitu- tional prohibition did not come from the rank and file of the prohibitionists of Alabama. They never knew that the issue would be made. They never knew that the fight would be started. They never knew that the professional politicians and agitators were plan ming a coup
 Until ten days before the extra ses- sion was called none but the mem bers of some star chamber conference behind closed doors knew that the Governor would put prohibition in the call for the special session. There was talk and much of it of new pro- hibition legislation. but not one word came out that a bitter campaign for and against constitutional prohibition would be launched. What is the Con- stitution to men who would plan such daring political coup?
 But they reckonsd without the pso- pie. And let no man deceive him. self; there would be no election on this question. If under the wise re- strictions of the Constitution 1t was not necessary to have an election be- fore the Consultation could be chang ed. The Legislature which forced Statewide eprohibitian on the people without an election would not have allowed the amendment to have gone for vote. If they could have put 1t in the Constitution without a vote. But the Constitution requires vote be, fore a change can be made. And be- cause of this provision there is an election and there Is a storm gather ing for the politicians.
 And they will bs thwarted because the thouEhtfuI and patriotic men he's itate. when 1t comes to tamperinR with tho repository of the rights of the people. Prohibition is an experiment in Alabama and no rhetoric and emo tion can get away from this fact. The Constitution Is the. aggregated product of the experience of free people. en- gagged in self-Eovernment. It Is made up of fundamental principles Of gov ernment which are designed to pre- serve and perpetuate political rights and liberty. To the organic law. It Is proposed. to afiix an experiment. An amendment is proposed to the reserv- ed rights of the people which deprives them and posterity of political and governmental rights which their fore fathers enjoyed.
 The people of Alabama are rebel- ling against the movement The Con- stitution Is too sacred to become the plaything of politics.