The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-10

mics bullets. After the disastrous
ending of the civil war as member
of the constitutional convention OF
1866, aided in framing constitution
which fully guarded our civilization.
The days of reconstruction came and
our institutions were overthrow and
We were forced to bear our necks TO
the feet of ignorant and most
vicious electorate. We endured the in
dignity and danger for many years. |
wish every young man would read the
memorable address issued by the demo-
cratic executive committee in 1874.
There are many who do not know that
such an address was ever issued. In
the struggle that preceded and followed
the days of reconstruction, l served my
country as best l could, as many others
did also. AS the solicitor of the Sixth
district 1 had the opportunity to learn
the evil effects of liquor traffic, anG
set about to counteract 1t.
West Alabama will tell you that the
vender of whisky found no favor from
me. Some 80 years ago this work be-
gan, and more than 20 years ago we
succeeded In putting ban on the traf-
&c in Greene county, and we have sus-
tained the law ever since. In the
counties in my circuit, perhaps the
largest in the state, and especially
north of Greene county, coo operating
with men who agreed with me and
whose views 1 learned in the grand
jury room, we began the business of
establishing local option laws "in the
beats where we tn ought 1t could be
done successfully" Thus the work in
favor of temperance began and / lived
to see before the present excitement
and stir these counties almost free
from the evil of whisky traffic. The
success of the movement gave me great
pleasure. In not a single instance did
I ever sidetrack to let the saloon have
the preference of the right of way, and
have not to this good day. and never
expect to do SO. l will pass by the
work of the constitutional convention
of 1901, as l was a part of 1t. When
that was ended I believed and hoped
my public work over and could spend
the days left in peace. In only a few
instances, and these when l believed
/, some great danger threatened our con-
stitutional bulwark, have 1 broken
silence. In tho main my retirement
after serving actively the public for
more than 80 years has been. pleasant
The past record is known to many peo-
pie of Alabama, for my life had not
been hid in a corner" Now in old
age. l am told that l will be derelict
in duty to my countrymen and will as
sist In perpetuating great wrong to
my wife and children and grandchild-
rem and the families of others, unless
I support this amendment. If my past
does not refute the charge of derelic-
ton of duty to my country, 1t is now
too late for me to begin. AS for my
wife, with whom have lived for nearly
half a century and my children and
grandchildren, and there are many, let
the record go on. l will write its
present down as l believe 1t to be.
When 1 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 destroy Its sanctity to ad-
NIT the intrusion of the detective and
spy armed with a search warrant;
when l saw that those who believed in
Christ should not procure the elements
which He himself selected ito be used
In commemoration of His death until
He came again." except as a legislature
of the state might prescribe and regu-
late (for all these objections are in
that amendment) tell them and pro-
claim 1t from the housetops that /,
their ancestor protested and revolted
against the tyranny, and what l regard
as an insult to our Lord and Master.
Tell them I would go to the stake"
before I would willingly surrender
TIL csc sacred rights and principles.
This is true whether the readers be-
ileve it or not, and l am willing for the
record to be so handed down.
THOMAS w. COLEMAN. !
Eutaw, Ala.