The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-26
Birmingham. September 25. 1909
A Visitors Observations.

Ao the isuieor or The Age-Herald:
 Referring to the editorial eulogy in The Age -Heralds issue of September 21 of tha late Gov John A. Johnson of Mirnesots ! desire to thank you most sincerely for these kind words in memory of him who has passed away
 Truly, Governor Johnson was A great. noble man. We Minnesotans feel our loss most keenly and appreciate those kind words of praise and esteem ina come to us through the press from other states and foreign lands.
 Allow me to chronicle here an fnci- dent that happened but a short while ago, put which serves so well to show that GoveF6or Johnson was well deservfns of all the love bestowed upon him.
 The Commercial club of St. PauI had made arrangements for the celebration of Independence Day by the school chfI- dren at Harriet island, the cfty's public recreation grounds.
 The children were to march in body. preceded by bands to the island, and the governor and the mayor of the city were to take part In the parade.
 on their way downtown the governor in his new red automobile observed a little boy webbing along on crutches He halted the auto and asked the child where he was going. "To see the pa rade," came the answer. Would you like to take part fin the parade and go to the island?' queried the governor Instantly the little fellows face lit up, only to relax again, because remembering the impossibility on account of his infrmjtv. But tenderiy and srnflingly the governor lifted the child up and placed him hA- tween Mayor Lawler and himself in = e auto.
 Can you imagine that that day was one of the happfest in the life of this poor child? I am sure that there is today at least one little heart filled with grief be- cause of the death of his big and noble friend.
 But, Mir Editor, want to change the subject:
 In travelling through Alabama and con- templating It's marvellous resources and the possibilities which they embrace, 1t seems to me that in your state much effort is spent and wasted in the Wrong direction. I come from rich state my self, yet I feel as if might envy your state it's magnificent resources, which if properly developed would make Alabama one of the foremost states in the union But 1t seems to me that instead of mak- ing use of these opportunities and en- couraglng outside capital to come and in- vest in your state, much is done to keep 1t away. Recently 1t has almost seemed as if your state was positively set against any progress
 Your cotton growing and cotton indus try make a progressive showing, but as to other agricultural progress little Is to be observed. Yet your state has good places like Cullman, which bears the stamp of foreign thrift and farming knowledge, 1t has been demonstrated that almost anything can be raised Tn your state. I have been even assured that upon 40 acres of land a family could make good living, but fail to see any thing done in your state in a legislative way to encourage desirable immigration and from what I have learned it appears that many of your present citizens are ready to leave your state because they have become dissatisfied with present drastic conditions.
 When I said that in your state much effort had been spent In the wrong direc- tion I had in mind your prohibition leg islation. I believe every well-balanced and right-minded citizen Is set against intemperance, particularly intemperance in strong alcoholic drinks, but the per son who says that prohibition has @n n success in those states where the ex- pertinent has been tried out is either will fully blind or not open to honest con viction.
 Your prohibition laws not only are harsh and smack of bigotry, nay they are fanat- ical and tyrannical. The first principles of Christianity, forbearance and brother ly love have no place in your prohibition laws and you cannot even apply to them the old saying: "The voice of the people Is the voice of God,'' because you gave your people no opportunity to say whether they wanted such laws or not.
 Some of your over-zealous prohibition advocates are even at this time trying very hard to befuddle the public by l<rnt- ing to make religious question out of it.
 Some of your partisans and political parsons have managed to stir up sentl- ment of hatred and unholy sentiment which breaks up homes which makes hypocrites, which separates brother from brother and child from father and hus- band from wife. What will they have to say for themselves on the great day of accounting?
 But while this internal strife goes on within the borders of your state, It's re- sources are lying dormant, and the out side world is looking on with feelings of ridicule mingled with pity Respect fully yours, JULIUS MOERSCH. Of St. Paul, Minn. Birmingham, Sep