The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-08-09
BIRTH OF THE DEMOCRATIC
 AND CONSERVATIVE PARTY
Ten Years of Ala bama, 1865-1SH No. l4-Administration of Governor Patton

Philadelphia the birthplace of the union the birthplace of the American idea the whole law abiding population of the United States, north and south, by its representatives, the meeting to be held August IA, 1866. This meeting would bring forth the National Union party" to re- gain the government from the radicals and disunionists.
 Newspapers everywhere opened wide their columns to discussion of the Presi- dents movement The New York World, kind of free lance with democratic predelictions, first opposed and soon ap- proved. Greedy, with his powerful New York Tribune, vehemently protested. The Baltimore Sun favored while the Rich riOnd Whig opposed. The southern press divided The Memphis Appeal indorsed the movement. Forsythe with his par tisan Mobile Register had not made up his mind at latest reports.
 In Alabama the ancient leaders of rival parties were awaiting an opportunity to come. face to face, in the new conditions. Nearly all, Forsyth included, wer glad to meet each other. Not man in this state was then known as political leader When ever or wherever Yancey had opened his mouth he was the leader; but the mar vicious tongue was now forever silent.
 Some of the more populous counties held public meetings to appoint delegates to a state convention for August at Selma. The state convention would send dele- gates to Philadelphia. There was no par tisanry no excitement no deep laid plan or thought. Micawber under stress of the situation, waited for something to turn up. Parsons was provisional governor. without authority of any law Every thing and all things, Parsons included, | Il itary. set up everywhere throughout the state in garrisons, some white and others black
 The day, August 3. came-the sun hot. Delegates from S counties, some counties with 20 present, others with three or one, enrolled their names-l30 in all The freed men toiled in the fields Secessionists and unionsts who had had most to say in earlier times were there. Not a syllable of "reminiscences fell from any mans lips Strong men from the very vitals of the state came with words of prophecy and resolution. Others less strong stood near with alluring counsel of expediency. Here was heard the note of eternal right-the call for white supremacy.
 Three former governors sat as dele- gates-Andrew B. Nerve, a soldier in every impulse of his great heart; the courtly Shorter; Parsons, the intellect of the dead union party. The newspapers were there, but no stenographer and no professional reporter. Langdon, editor of the Mobile Advertiser. and member of Congress- elect; John Forsyth, editor of the Mobile Register; Samuel c. Reid, editor of the Montgomery Advertiser; Robert Mckee, editor of the Selma Times.
 Walter II. Crenshaw, president of the Alabama senate, presided. Alexander White, former member of Congress, mag nifcent orator, moved a committee on resolutions. Thereupon Editor Reid amended the paper. denying to the com mittee the authority to report any word lon political principles" Alabama in- tended to go to Philadelphia for political principles this time. Orator White took fire. He pulled from his pocket a string Of resolutions to go to the committed He read them and scared high. Every body listened with interest. Nothing more was heard of Mir. Whites resou- tons. Piqued at the failure of his wis dom to extort the indorsement of the peo- pie of Alabama, he left his democracy behind him and went to the far west with a United States judges commission to comfort him even as a full fiedged re- publican.
 Thirty-two delegates were appointed to Philadelphia, without instructions Lewis E. Parsons Benja min Fitzpatrick, Robert B. Lindsay. George s. Houston w. S.
 
 peers.
 This main work over, the Selma meeting proceeded with the initial organization of the people of Ala bama for state redemp- tion. Here and now the people organized by the wisdom of the great men present. and by that organization achieved results that amazed the world and brought their enemies to ignoble shame.
 The process was very simple. as strong mental methods must be. The democra tic and conservative party. convertible term with civil authority In Alabama was born at Selma August ?. 1866. and it's birth was after this fashion, to-wit Walter II. Crenshaw, presiding, was authorized by the meeting to appoint an executive com mittee; and was required himself to select the chairman of that committed The province of the committee was to organize a political movement in this state to re- sist the degradation visited on the popu- lation from Washington city.
 MT. Crenshaw' announced the following names as the "executive committed" to- wit: Thomas J. Goldsby of Dallas, late colonel commanding the Fourth Alabama infantry, army of northern Virginia for the First district; James II. Clanton of Montgomery. late brigadier general of cavalry, Confederate states army, for the Second district R. H. Powell. prominent citizen, for the Third district; John C. Reld, Soluler ana citizeh, TOT the foufth district; William M Lowe, soldier and citizen, for the Fifth district. and Thomas ]. Mcclellan for the Sixth district-every man the right man In the right place.
 Chairman Crenshaw received an ava lanche of counsel touching the names to comprise the custodians of this great conventional trust, the committee. Especially was there intense and general interest as to his choice of it's chairman When Clanton's name was proposed by the chairman objection was raised that he was a man of exceptional courage. want ms in the poise of commander He was known in the army as incapable of emotion of fear, but without that measure of common sense so necessary to the commander who would hold the confidence and affection of volunteer sol diers. We shall see as we proceed how 1allible mans Judgment of his fellows is