The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-17
THE BATTLE IS ON.

TthB VIII SChO thASo6HOtN SNNAS efoSN and corner. every town and hamlet of Alabama. The pace has been set which will be kept up with constantly accelerating speed and power until the battle for the right has been won. The duly accredited representa- lives of a great and free people have spoken with power and eloquence be- fitting the momentous cause in which they are engaged and the people will respond with the silent. but powerful weapon of the ballot.
 It was a remarkable gathering of strong and patriotic men. Many of the most noted members of the con vention were men who are out of politics for good. Many others were men who are not and have never been. in poll tics. Others were men who are now and have long been foremost in every movement that had for its object the They did not come to Montgomery as political workers or as office-seekers with personal ends to serve. They came here, all of them, at the urgent call of a great and patriotic duty. They came to confer together and to organize AIabama's best citizenship against one of the most ili-advised and dangerous propositions ever pre- sented to the voters of the State. An envious and disturbed leader of the amendment forces sneeringly spoke of those who composed the con- vention as "the same old gang" In one sense he was right. Many of the representatives belonged to the "old gang" who stood up for the people. for right and honor and justice in the days when 1t required the very high est form of manhood and self-abnega- ton to oppose the clements that were threatening ruin and disgrace to our State. They were men who were fighting for the right when some of their critics were in swaddling-clo and others were doing their work in other States.
 Yes. there were many of the same old gang" in the gathering. Their heads are gray and their brows wrin- kled. but they are actuated by the same splendid manhood that led them to face death on many a field of bat tie. and afterwards to face a worse enemy in the days of reconstruction. The gang" now. as then. represents the very highest citizenship of Ala bama and those who compose 1t de- serve and will receive the gratitude, the encouragement and support of the true men of our State.
 But this same old gang" were not all, nor the greater part. of the con vention. Their members are growing pitifully few. and though while they live they deserve and will receive all the honor that should be bestowed on good and true men. they were only a very small minority of the delegates. With them were men of middle age. who have come into prominence since the troublous era when their fathers made undying history. and who are now coming into action and upholding the banners of Alabama manhood and patriotism.
 And with these old patriots and their middIe-aged associates were members of the still younger men of the State; men who are just beginning to take an active part in public af- fairs and to prepare themselves to as- sume the honors and duties of states manship when the elders have passed away. They came here to be instruct ed. encouraged and strengthened for the duties that lie before them. To them the convention was an inspira- with added confidence in the cause they have espoused and added deter imitation to battle for the right. as God has given them to see the right. until the fight is won and fanaticisu. intolerance and bigotry have been consigned. "unwept. unhonored and unsung" to the grave that Is gaping for them.
 Yes, it was in all respects a notable gathering: notable for it's representa-