The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-25

to make Is, that there is some higher
duty resting upon a senator of the United
States than getting money out of the F ed
eral treasury
IT agree fully with Senator Pettus in
the speech from which Senator Bankhead
quoted, in the statement that oratory is
not the whole thing. l placed no high
value upon the mere orator What the
south needs today are debaters-men of
high character who can and will win
| for her that place in the great councils
of the nation which she formerly held.
and to which the intelligence of her
population, and the tremendous business
interests she has involved, entitle her.
I'm this connection / recall remark
| by Lord Ma saulay in reference to Charles
James Fox, to Mr.. Treveyan, who stated
to him that Fox was a great orator.
Yes he replied, Fox was a great
orator, but you must remember that Fox
was the great debater."
"(g)" Our senator in the interview 1
am discussing, says: He, (Mr. Knox
further rays am supporting Mr.. Mallory
| for governor l do not know how he dis
covered that. l believe the democrats
of Alabama are capable of selecting their
candidate for governor in democratic
primary, without any assistance or inter-
| ference from NO."
Now this is foxy, isn't II? 1t is after
Mr.. Talleyrand's best diplomatic method
1t means anything you want to make 1t
mean; but mark you, our senator does
not deny that he Is secretly supporting
Mr.. Mallory, and that he is secretly seek
ing to defeat Mr.. O'Neal He holds out
another hand to the O'Neal forces. He
| Is now, as he has always been, for him.
self!
| Chi Senator Bankhead suggests that
engage in a joint debate with one or more
of his sons. Perhaps In view of the en-
trance of Judge Coleman and Mr.. Walker
Percy into the controversy, he may sug-
gest also that enter into joint de-
bate with Judge Coleman and with Mr..
Percy.
I'm reply to all this, have only to say
that I am quite willing to discuss the
issues involved with Mr.. Bankhead or
Mr.. White, or anyone else who is oppos-
ing me for the office to which I aspire,
and II Mr.. Bankhead would like to re-
sign In favor of one or more of his sons,
or In favor of Judge Coleman or Mr.. Per-
cy, would be quite willing to meet such
an one as he might choose as his sue
cessor and heir apparent in joint debate!
III-Other Entries In the Ring
1.-THE announcement of my candidacy for
| the Senate has brought about a singular
situation. The audacity exhibited by me
In daring to offer my services to the
people Of Alabama, should they see fit
to select me to succeed Mr.. Bankhead In
the Senate. has brought down upon my
head a furious and vicious assault from
Judge Coleman and Mr.. Walker Percy. II
Mr.. Bankhead be the great senator and
the great statesman they assume to be,
why, / may inquire, could he not he
trusted to make his own defense against
an humble private citizen like myself?
The business of this view has been seen
and recognized by the able and intelli-
gent press of this state, excepting, of
course, the Bankhead press bureau The
fact that these distinguished and able
citizens rush frantically to his defense
and make q vicious attack upon me indi-
Gates that they recognize mis- weakness,
and simply by vituperation and abuse of
me, seek to fasten what they recognize,
Notwithstanding their asseverations to the
contrary. an an overgrown infant, need
Ing their assistance, upon the people of
Alabama!
II have criticised with all the en-
phasis of which / am capable the public
record of Mr.. Bankhead. My announce
ment was in writing and has been pub
lished. The people of this state speak,
read and understand the English lam
| suage, and / challenge these gentlemen,
or either of them, to point out a single
| untrue or unjust accusation made In that
paper against Mr.. Bankhead. They do
not point out a single Instance. of tho
eind. Their method Of attack is to sneer
at the paper, and to speak contemptuous-
| ~ of 1t. There Is no argument in
sneerl The array of facts which l have
presented In that paper cannot be an
sweved by mere impudence of assertion.
I'm this connection / am reminded of