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

speech in reply to Mr. Hepburn on that
occasion was SO remarkable that ] can
not refrain, In justice to him, from giving
It in full TO the people of Alabama.
| He had splendid opportunity. He
was himself a Confederate soldier, and
for that | honor him. 1 was too young
| to enter the Confederate service. l was
born on the 10th of February In 1857. and
was, therefore, but four years of age
when the war began. My father was too
old for service, but three of my brothers
entered the service, the youngest at the
age of fifteen. The next one above me
at the age of twelve ran away and tried
to enter, but was not received, and we
won't count him. OF the three who en-
tered the service, two fell on the field
of battle. Major Samuel Il. Knox died
on the bloody field of Franklin, (Tennes-
see), leading a charge with his regiment
Captain Alex B. Knox fell in like manner
on the field at Corinth, Mississippi. The
swords of these two brothers hang over
the mantle in my library, and daily invite
and inspire me to a desire and an am
bition to do something for my state and
for my section.
But to recur to Mr.. Bankhead's speech
in reply to Mr. Hepburn. In the hot de-
bate referred to by Mr.. Laird, the Mont
gomery correspondent of the Birming-
nail <16C-I1ci Lie SpccCI. DIS TtpoTt-
ed in the public press, was as follows:
Il suppose the Senator from Idaho now
feels better, and l move the previous
question upon the adoption of the resolu-
tion."
''All of which reminds me of a contro-
versy which arose between two members
of the late constitutional convention, as
to who had figured most conspifuously
in the proceedings, which was submitted
to me for decision. In the statement of
facts, it was agreed that one of them on
one occasion had moved to adjourn, and
that the other had not only on one &C.
casion moved to adjourn, but on another
occasion had moved to lay some ques-
ton, pending before the convention, on
the table. l, of course. rendered judy
ment In favor of the latter.
"(e) / note, too, that Mr.. Bankhead
complains of my reference in my an
nouncement to his sons. Now, l do not
think that, in my announcement, I re-
ferred to his sons in any Objectionable
manper. If I did, I did not intend to
do so. referred to the fact that when
ever meeting of the executive commit
tee was to be helds and his interests were
concerned, and he or they felt 1t to his
interest to be present, one or more of
them was always present. to act and
speak for him. did not refer to this for
the purpose of making any unjust ortiz
cism of his sons. 1t Is natural and pro-
per that they should support him, and
do all they could to advance his interests.
and SO far as this Is done with fairness
to his opponent, I W. aid be the last man
in the world to object, I would be one
Of the first to condemn them for not doing
SO.
1.-THE point which I intended to make
lxryop hat xrrt.>v
his representatives, he was, to all in
tents and purposes, present and RESPONSE
BILE for and bound by Whatever they did in
his behalf in the premises.
20 The reference to Moses and Aaron
and the golden calf. made by our sena-
tor in the article referred to, cannot re-
gard but IS unfortunate. Moses, who
like Thomas Jefferson, was not fluent
speak was of all men who have lived,
great statesman. and the great law-siv-
err. His name stands out In history, re-
fiecting lustre not only on the noble race
he represented, but upon all mankind.
If our senator intended this reference
to Moses to be used as type of himself
the reference Is again unfortunate, for
while we may concede that our present
senator, like Moses, Is not an orator, we
will be panied also to confess that, unlike
Moses, he is neither statesman nor
law-giver.
Again, and while, unlike Aaron, who
was an orator. still he is like Aaron in
the pursuit Of the golden calf, for his
only achievement in public life Ii his
claim of the ability to set money out Of
the public treasury. Such was not the
standard Of craftsmanship set by our
| fathers, and such should not be the
standard of craftsmanship to be set be-
| fore their sons!
TT is all right to get for our state and
for our section Its just recognition in
the appropriation bill. A member of the
senate or of the house would be recreant
to his duty, to his constituents. II he
should fail to put forth his utmost effort
to do SO; but the point ! am endeavorinR