The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-19
Speech Of Emmett O'Neal
Before State Convention
Says Liquor Question Has Been Cause of Political Strife
Which Has Cursed State-Condemns Certain Provis-
ions of Prohibition Laws-Attitude Toward
Foreign Capital-Tarff Question.

Montgomery, May 1s.-(special.)-Th
full text of the speech Col. Emmett O'Neal
delivered before the state democrtic con-
vention follows:
Words are inadequate to express my
profound and heartfelt gratitude for this
loyal and enthusiastic reception. Facing
today the accredited representatives of
that great party which in the dark days
of the past delivered Alabama from all
the evils of mis-rule and mis-government
l congratulate you that if in moments of
error and alarm we have wandered from
the true paths of democracy we will
now hasten to retrace our steps and re-
gain the road which alone leads to peace.
liberty and safety. | congratulate you
| that the era of intolerance and radical
ism has passed, that we have returned
to the ancient landmarks and Will re-
store that wise spirit of conservatism I'M
der whose inspiring influence Alabama
will triumphantly march to the great
destiny that awaits her. | congratulate
you that the people of Alabama have
in two elections placed the stamp of
their disapproval upon all efforts to in
wade those reserved and inalienable rights
of the citizens, embodied In the organic
law and intended to be forever inviolate
against legislative trespass and encroach-
ment
II congratulate you that in two cleo
lions the people of Alabama have ex-
pressed. their condemnation of that spirit
of radicalism and prescription which has
filled our statute books with unwise and
vicious laws, which has retarded our
prosperity, checked the investment of CAP
ital and made personal and property
rights insecure.
1T congratulate you that a united, har-
monious and triumphant democracy fear
lessly faces the grave problems that con-
fronts the state, determined to solve
them, not according to the dictate OF eX-
pediency the influence of hysteria or
maudlin sentimentalty, but to solve them
permanently and wisely, with such Wis
dom as is possible to the finite mind II
in the clash of opinions the struggle for
place and power and the strife and tur-
moil incident to a primary election, Dit
terness hostility anc rancor were en-
gendered. let us not forget that that bit
terness hostility and rancor ended with
the announcement of the partys verdict
and that to its decision every loyal DEM
ocrat bows in cheerful submission, pre-
senting again as of old the same united
and aggressive front to our common po-
litical enemy. If there was divlsion'
there is now unity, If there was STRIFE
there is now harmony, If there was bit
terness there is now charity and renew
ing our allegiance to the imperlshaple
principles of our party. Let us move for
ward with unbroken phalanx to execute
the will of the people with full conf
dence that our nominations and the plat
form which will be here promulgated will
in November receive the peoples indorse-
ment.
Causes of Agitation
Gentlemen of the convention, no one
can truthfully deny that one of the chlef
causes of the political agitation, turmoil
bitterness and strife which has cursed
the state for the past few years has been
the LIQUOR question. 1t is a question az
old as the race, and with which mankind
has been struggling for over 1000 years
temperance is a virtue and drunkenness
a vice. All admit the evils of intemper-
ance. and that excessive indulgence in in
toxicating liquors leads to physical and
mental decay, to deterioration, to pauper-
ism and crime. 1t is a problem which
has long perplexed and baffled mankind.
Its solution never has been and never will
be found by the enactment of radical, ar
bitrary and coercive legislation, which
violates constitutional guarantees, in
vades the rightful domain of individual
judgment and excuses its trespass upon
private and domestic affairs by the plea
of peternal care for the morals and good
ORDER of the people. Prior to the pass
age of the present statewide prohibition
laws. under the wise rule of the demo-
cratic paSty, Ne had seen liquor driven
| from 80 per cent of our territory This
had been accomplished without violating
the principle of local option or local self
gcvernment-along the cardinal creed of
our party. When statewide prohibition
was adopted, as many believe in violation
of party pledges and party platform, the
concensus of opinion was to give the laws
fair trial and let time and experience
determine whether it would lessen intem-
perance and overcome the admitted evils
of the liquor traffic.
Hence, when / announced as a cand-
date for the office of governor of Ala
| bsma l declared in effect that I favored
giving the policy of statewide prohibit
ton a fair trial, and that If nominated
ana elected I would obey my constitu-
tioral oath of office and that these laws