The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1909-09-16
IS
HISTORY MAKING
Gathering Representative
Of Whole State.
YOUTH AND AGE UNITE
Speakers Listened to With Respect
ful Attention.
Coatless Men villa Earnest Faces I'm
dicate Beyond Nlistai<e the
DETERMINATION to Defeat
the Amendment.

Unique In the history Of Alabama,
and, perhaps, in the history Of the
South, was the conference held yester-
day in the auditorium Of the city hall
to form plans for the defeat Of the pro-
lhibition amendment to the constitu-
tion at the special election. November
90.
Montgomery was surprised.
And the State OF Alabama. 1t In be-
lieyed, will be still more surprised
when 1t learns from the returning dele
gates OF the personnel OF the CONFER
ence.
Persistent reports circulated by
amendment supporters to the enect that
their opponents consisted mainly OF
men in the pay of the "whiskey trust
received a severe jolt when the conts-
ence began its session.
Seated on, the rostrnm of the big hall
were statesmen who have made Ala
bama history. There were Governors
Legislators, lawyers, Confederate vet
Grams and State leaders In allIWalks OF
life. Their presence lent weight anu
dignity to the occasion.
The Band plays.
IJpon the banked seats at the rear OF
the platform were members OF tne
1st cavalry bank in khaki uniform. As
thew broke into the stirring strains OF
rood old pixie when Senator Moody
was escorted to his place as peIne-
nent chairman. enthusiasm broke LOOSE
among the delegates.
THE light of battle dashed in the eyes
NJ hoary-headed veterans among the
Seierations. and had the atsies beer
eiear. douhtless an irregular pul
dauntless line enld have been fo3mes
about the hall. They would SO starti
IN hattie for an inviolate constttntioi
n 1sos a. they did III 1851. But sh'
token Of peace and abandonment o.
section strife was evident In the greal
American nag which draped the SPEAK
er's desk. ,.....a,.
The floor proper had been divided In
>, sactions as is done in regular polit'
zeal conventions. and each oelesatlol
SAT behind its own emblem. The hea
nrodnced as a result of the large GROVE
soon resolved the conference into
ooatlaas one. The lower floor galleries
S.-era crowded with spectators ant
standing room at the rear was at
nremiurn. In the balconies aoove' th'
chairs were filed and the presence o
a few women interested In the preSer
walton of the constitution aoueo
touch of color to the scene.
Personnel Typical.
Tt~e nersonnel of the conference del
epations was typical of Alabama. Th'
majority of the delegates had CONF
from the farms, had neglected tneli
eaten making to enlist in the ngn
against the amendment. Notable amonl
the men were Confederate Veterah
who have been through struggles mar
tial. civic and political whicn nav
served to change the trend OF history
ON every hand they were heara 70 re
sent the attempts being made to chans'
The. constitution, which they namet
"the buIwark of such liberty as is LEI
to Alahamians." and expressed their In
tentions OF fighting the adoption OF TN
amendment in thtir own parucuia'
sections.
u,hicb gives much hope to the Leaders
of the "antis" was the presence o.
heardless young men who are pledsint
their time and money to the nght Oh
the amendment. Strong faces not mar
red nv dissipation and squared snouio
ers Of determined young MANHOOD CAV
e,,Jaonca OF the tenor OF their thougnt'
ana aims in coming to Montgomery.
parTect order was maintained at ev'
49,, moment of the sessions. Cheering
"a annlause was vociferous, but Il
aava wav instantly to the request Of
the chairman for order. All speeches
wera given respectful attention. and the
hnsiness of the meeting was conductes
expeditiously.
Nv all 1t was pronounced one OF th'
greatest and most representative con
yentions ever, assembled In Alabama