The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-18

december IN chicago, declared that the
recent election in Alabama had been won
by the grossest frauds and corruption,
and that the friends of prohibition would
keep up the fight until the outlawry OF the
whisky traffic had been written in the
organic law of Alabama. The president
of the Anti-Saloon league also declared
that the whisky forces had started
movement to win control of the state
government and called on all true friends
of the league to rally as one man to
elect the state ticket from constable to
governor. Soon after i announced as
candidate for governor. in my first pub
lie speech 1 declared that the opposition
had made the issue and refusing to ac-
cept the result Of the recent election, had
thrown down the gage of battle at our
feet and that we would be cowardly not
to pick it up
Could Demonstrate Sincerity
at is gratifying to know that recently
the Anti-Saloon league has declared that
the platform of the candidates for gov
ernor was entirely satisfactory. The sin
certify of this declaration might have in
voked less question if the Anti-Saloon
league had not undertaken secretly to
line up all of their forces behind the
candidacy of my opponent. The recent
distinguished opponent contained among
It's membership many of the members of
the Anu-Saloon league. most of their
right hand men-men who had been con-
spicuous in securing most of the recent
legislation. I stand today where stood
during the recent campaign, squarely on
the platform and principles declared by
the Montgomery conference. In indors-
ing my platform, the Anti-Saloon league
ID l. 1atf Av,x I'D
Montgomery conference. 1t should be
gratifying news to the 1900 white men in
Alabama who cast their. votes against
the amendment to know today that the
Anti-Saloon league which conducted the
campaign for the amendment. and which
a few months ago declared that the plat
form of the Montgomery conference
meant the restoration of the open saloon
in Alabama, and was the creation of the
liquor trust, that those who supported 1t,
were the allies Of the criminal and law
less element In Alabama, now concede
that 1t should be entirely satisfactory
to all friends of temperance. Scarcely
three months ago our motives were I'M
pugned, our sincerity denied, and We were
held I'D to public execration as the paid
agents of the brewers trust, the recipi-
| ents of a vast corruption fund, the rep
resentatives Of the vicious and debased
element Of society-the sworn enemies OF
virtue. decency and sobrfety. The action
OF the leaders Of the Anti-Saloon league
shows that the campaign Of education We
| then waged was not in vain. 1t also
shows that even an organization claim
| ing to be the only representatives Of the
moral sentiment of the state are not i'm
mune from violating that great COM
mand Thou shall not bear false witness
against thy neighbor."
"The Anti-Saloon league declares ii 10
satisfied with the platform Of the candi-
dates for governor and will keep out Of
this fight, yet in view of the fact that I
am tho only candidate for governor who
has announced any platform. Colonel Nal
lory contenting himself with the declara-
ton that he would support any platform
the party would adopt after the nominal
ton is made. 1t occurs to me that the
simplest and surest method the Anti
Saloon league leaders could adopt to con-
vince the public of the absolute sincerity
| Of their published declaration is to with
draw their candidate from the race and
make my nomination unanimous. Other
wise, am inclined to believe the league
may give some basis for the charge re-
Gently made by the Montgomery Adver-
tiser, which, after commenting on the acc
tivity of the league in behalf Of Colonel
Mallory, says, IN the face of this activity
we cannot but admit our doubt that the
Anti-Saloon league IL keeping out Of the
fight. We are. however. convinced that
| the order has gone out to discard the
| megaphones of last fall and lay in a sup
ply Of gum Shoes But successful gum
ehoeing 10 difficult. and It takes remark
able political ledgerdemain to convince
the initiated In Alabama that the Anti
Saloon league Is keeping out Of tho
| fight All the arts Of political intrigue,
| Of which the superintendent Of the Anti
| Saloon league is a past master, will not
prevent the people Of Alabama from ask
| ing themselves the question, BY whose
| effort was II that the necessary votes
were secured to submit the proposed con
stitutional amendment to the voters Of
Alabama? Who was It declared, in effect,
on the stump, I'VE have driven liquor
from the saloon, We have driven 1t from
the clubs, we will now drive 1t from every
home In Alabama7'' Lord God OF
Hosts, be with us yet. lest We forget,
lest we forget
what Election Meant
''The result Of the recent election meant
/ more than the defeat Of the amendment.
It was q protest against continual extra
sessions Of the legislature, against en-
croachments by the executive upon the
legislative department. against extreme
incorporate ana radical legislation. II
was q protest against waste and extrav-
agance in public expenditures. against
that political turmoil and agitation into
which the state has been plunged by the
ambition and schemes Of selfsh politi.
clans. It was q protest against any eft.
fort to invade the sanctity Of tho home
or to interfere with the private habits Of
the citizens. It was dethAnd for the res
| toration Of economy In public expendi'
lures and against an increase Of the bur.
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