The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-10
WEATHERLY GIVES
SUPPORT TO O'NEAL
Tells Why He Should Be
Elected Governor
MAN OF CONVICTIONS
Predicts O'NeaT- VIII Be Nominated
and Elected and VIII Make one of
the Hest Governors Alabama
Has Ever Had

be more clearly nor more forcibly set
forth than in the clear, concise words
of James Weatherly, one of his most
| enthusiastic supporters.
Mr.. Weatherly comes out strongly
for a fighter, not gutter" and re-
views Mr.. ONeals record which has
been one of high standards, and open
conviction. He is Mr.. Weatherlys lel-
ter:
| Birmngh am, Ala, February ., 1910.
To Hon. Thomas Fl. Motion, Chairman
O'Neal Campaign Committee.
| Sir: In response to your request, ]
hereby make this public statement of
my reasons for advocating the NOM
nation of the Hon. Emmett O'Neal as
the democratic canul~ate for governor
of Alabama.
When 1t was attempted by the en-
! IRENE prohbitionists to incorporate in
the constitution an amendment which
not only prohibited the sale or giving
away of intoxicating liquors, but con-
ferred unlimited power on the legis.a-
ture to declare all Intoxicating liquors
or use. Mr.. ONeal was among the first
to discern the danger, and it was main
| ly through his efforts that an organiza-
ton in opposition to the amendment
was effected, which resulted in tie
overwh Ginning defeat of the Amendments.
In the anti-amendment campaign Mr.
O'Neal took a leading, if not the lead
ing, part in opposition. He went ev-
erywh in the state, educating the
people. and his efforts in that behalf
were perhaps more effective than those
OF any other single campaigner in that
memorable anti-amendment contest.
1t we, who opposed that amendmcrt
as involving a menace to individual lib
erty rs guaranteed in our bill of rights.
were right in our Judgment, then Mr..
ONeal is entitled to the credit of hav-
ing waved the first danger signal of
having been one of the leaders in or
genizing against the amendment and.
perhaps, the principal factor in achiev~
ing its defeat.
Is it anything but right and inst
that those who were opposed to the
amendment should give due credit To
Mr.. O'Neal for this great victory for
personal liberty? 1T seems to me that
his great fight against this danger
Gus proposition sh ould be recognized
and rewarded.
During the campaign Mr.. ONea,
stood squarely on the declaration of
principles put forth in the Montgome ~
conference, which he helped to organize
against the amendment. That declarl-
ton contained two fundamental prop
ositions: First, that the proposes
a ar nj ont
inexpedient, but involved a Fundamental
departure from the true principles OF
popular government; second, that the
laws on the statute books to prohl pl
the sale or other disposition of in
toXicating liquor in Alabama must be
faithfully and honestly executed and
upheld
The amendment having been defeated
on this declaration of principles, Mr.
O'Neal, as a candidate for governor
stands squarely on those principles. He
is irfevocably opposed to any change in
our constitution or laws that would per-
nit empower the invasion of private
homes, or persanal liberty, under color of
law. In this he has proved his faith
by his works. Some others have not He
is now, as he was throughout the late
campaign, for executing and upholding
the laws as they exist on the statute
books. and this will be his policy as
governor.
l do not doubt that. should an enort
be made during his administration
which God forbid-to graft some new and
strange reform In the fundamental law
OF the land, like the lately deceased pro-
hibition amendment, he would not be
frightened or swept off his feet by any
hue and cry. however we'll organized; nor
would he weakly suffer himself to be
MT Ix-p l,o,, IL.
of so-called reformers. He would have
the grit and the backbone to stand firm
ly by the old landmarks of liberty
The people should remember those who
stood by them in the hour OF need; they
should weigh and ponder the character
the temperament and the past history of
those who are asking to be made gov
ernor by their votes, and sft out the
man of purpose and conviction and cour-
age and vote for him.
| The people like fighter and do not
| like a gutter.
| Mr.. O'Neal is a conservative man by
| temperament; and yet he is keenly and
Intellectually alert to the quickening life
| of a progressive state, such as Alabama
| He is not a practical politician. He has
never trafficked and traded for office, for
| himself or others. believe that he was
| once mayor of his home town. He was
| United States district attorney under Mr..
| Cleveland. He was member of the con-
| stitutional convention OF 1901. In all these
| positions he acquitted himself honorably
and exhibited a high degree of efficiency.
| without pompous display or effort at bril-
! iancy, and without agitation for political
| effect or personal flotaton. In his pub
| lie service he has contented himself with
| doing the work at hand quietly and well.
| Such conduct deserves recognition in
| these days of bombastic self-exploitation
and windy demagogy.
| AS a member of the constitutional con-
| vention, whose action cleansed lie cleo
| tive franchise from fraud and purged 1t
| of its vicious elements. he was always
| deeply in earnest and tremendously ae-
| tive always bold and outspoken and al
ways on high ground. Mr. O'Neal has the
| intellectual temperament. He is student
| of political questions on broad lines and
his writings in the magazines exhibit care
and thoughtfulness and discrimination,
| as well as a knowledge of our constitu-
| ton and political history 1 do not hest
| tate to say that his record VIII compare
most favorably with that of of his
distinguished opponents for this high Of
| fee =.
| Mr. O'Neal thinks that the people are
| tired of politics and want rest at least
| from new and strange and agitating uues-
tons. Nevertheless he feels just pride
in this great and growing state and looks
to its future with Astounding hope. He
will encourage. by all the means in his
power. the upbulding of Alabama's vast
material interests. the increasing of her
wealth and population, the education of
| her children and the general welfare of
| her people.
| He win belong to no man. nor set of
men. individual or corporation. He is am
l 4