The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-12

eight representatives in Congress were
chosen Capt. James Taylor Jones from
the First. or Mobile district Col. Hilary
A. Herbet. from the Montgomery. or
Second; Col. w. c. Oates from the Wire
Grass or third Alexander C. Davidson
from the Selma. or Fourth; Thomas w
Sadler of Autauga, from the Fifth; Capt
John NJ Martin, from the Tuscaloosa, or
Sixth; Gen. W. II. Forney of Jackson
vile, from the Seventh, and Gen. Joseph
Wheeler of Lawrence county, from the
eighth.
This delegation to the House wss ex-
ceptionally strong. With Senators Nor
gan and Pugh in their seats, the state
was perhaps as strong in Congress as
any In the union.
The campaign made by the contestants
for the office of President in 1884 was ex-
ceedingly interesting and important The
contrast offered in the experience and
earned national antecedents of the can
didates set forth by the two great par
ties respectively was remarkable. These
were the knightly Blaine, with a bril-
liant record, and the young governor of
New York. bachelor, Grover Clevc-
streets of the federal capital
In the south no man was impudent
enough to run eor office without Con-
federate experience. Each great party
contending for the presidency now had
taken its candidate from the north and
neither candidate had taken up arms for
the union. The candidate of the repub-
licans, Senator Blaine, was exempt from,
the draft to fill the army by virtue of his
tenure of civil office. Young Mr.. Cleve-
land hired a substitute, as the law al
lowed him at mis- discretion.
Mr.. Blaine was accounted by his con-
trolling party worthy successor to the
oratorical fame and the art of statecraft
of Henry Clay. He won the favor of his
section by the vehcmence and ability with
which he espoused the extreme radical
policy of government toward the south.
He canvassed the states of the north
personally with all the. outward signs OF
utmost encourage
Governor Cleveland remained at his
post of duty in Albany. He made no
general canvass in person. He was 4
stranger by name and by reputation, out
side of his state except in the issue OF
personal character. in which the wife
of Henry Ward Beecher appeared In
the press as his apologist.
Mr.. Blaine carried into the presidential
campaign the sectional bitterness which
had distinguished his course in both
branches of Congress. In vehement and
lofty flow of eloquence he appealed IT,
the country oderiand of the government
at washington practical enforcement.
OF the Rrst and second sections of the
fourteenth article of amendment, which
he averred were permitted to lie IN neg
lect. One of these sections made Amer
lean citizens of the freedmen. in equality
of rights with all citizens. Southern So
ciety, nevertheless was founded on white
supremacy In every relation of life. Be-
cause the freedmen were not admitted Il
the hotels and theatres, not allowed to
travel in the same railroad coaches with
the whites, because the same churches
alike to both races Mr.. Blaine argued
a republican form of government was a
delrsion and a snare in all the SOUTH
Nor was the other section referred tic
more satisfactory to Mr. Blaine in the
enforcement. The intent of the enactins
fragment of Congress was, to secure by
1t the dominancy of the republican party
In the southern states. or failing in this
end. to reduce by half, perhaps. the rep
resentation of those states in the govern
| ment at Washington.
Mr.. Blaine arrived at New York san
guine of success after a personal canvass
of several states of the middle west. AT
the Fifth Avenue hotel. the hostelry
which for many years had been head
quarters Of psripatetic republican poll
ticians, he received visit of honor from
a body of citizens. Standing above the
heads of his visitors on the staircase, ne
delivered a brief speech Of welcome to
them. Election cay was near and his
we'll earned confidence was undisturbed.
An enthusiastic partisan of the company,
Protestant clergyman, congratulated
the candidate in formal speech. His
election being assured. the days Of rum.