The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-18

democratic ana conservative party called
the biennial party convention to order
in the hall of the house of representa-
tives
The famous party leader, Gen. Leroy
Pope Wallxr, was made president and
j. NJ. Wright secretary.
The name of the accomplished gentle
man. distinguished lawyer and heroic SOL
dier, and active partisan. Gen. Edward
A. O'Neal of Iauderdale, had been well
csnvassed throughout the state for the
nomination to succeed Governor Cobb.
whose second term drew near its close.
Promptly in order Rufus X. Boyd OF
Marshall placed General O'Neal before the
convention for governor. Mr.. Boyd was p
good speaker his feelings were strong
wide. He made now a. strong speech.
whose effect, as the sequel proved, con
elusive
At once Lewis NJ. Stone OF Pickens
nominated Leroy Brewer of Mobile; r.
w. Bowden of Talladega followed with
the nomination of n H. D. Dawson OF
Dallas and f.. F. Comegys of Lawrence
closed the list with the name of John M
McKleroy of Barbour.
The remainder of the day was devoted
to excited ballotlng, without result, be-
tween the three honorable names. Under
the surviving two-thirds rule the prospect
for a choice as night terminated the
session seemd far away.
With the familiar vigor, the balloting
was resumed the next morning. Dawson
dropped out. With the twentieth ballot
O'Neal and McKleroy We're too evenly
balanced TO permit nomination under
the O'Neal side withdrew. o'Neal was
declared the nominee by wild acclama-
ton.
The news was flashed over the wires
to Florence and that night a great torch
light procession of the citizens of all po-
ltical affinties of all ages and races
celebrated the honor conferred on one
of their members. The nominee was a
speaker of extraordinary animation. He
addressed the convention feelingly.
The party state ticket was completed
with Ellis Phelan for secretary of state,
Isaac II. Vincent Chis third term) for
treasurer, Jessie NJ. Carmichael (renoml-
'nated) for auditor, II. c. TomplSins Chis
lltiiu lcIIlll lOI dltOihtS bSlltA di tHo IL
c. Armstrong (his third term) for super
intendent of education.
The committee on platform, through its
chairman, r. II. Abercrombie, made a
short report, but one significant of the
spirit of the people. The south was yet
tabooed by the government at Washing
ton. The vast patronage of that govern
ment in foreign and domestic service was
bestowed upon one section. The representa-
4
tries, whence immigrants must come, We're
known to use their official opportunities
to give direction to this class favorable
to their own section. the north In this
vital matter, the government became an
oppressor of the south. The people of
Alabama who paid the federal taxes were
denied the honors and emoluments of the
federal service the postoffice, the tax as
SCISSORS and collectors, the officers of the
federal courts, the mail agents. etc.
While the party of white supremacy
sat the first week in June at Montgom-
cry in state convention call was pub
lished for a state convention of the green
backs TO assemble at Birmingham July Z.
white supremacy at that time could
brook no opposition within the state. The
voters who were now openly and ardent
Is for it must take rank with the re-
publican party.
which the delusions of many good men
were leading the party of redemption, Mr..
Abercrombie wrote the platform. The
people were admonished to hold fast to
their party organization. to protect the
principle of white suffrage at all haz-
ards, to maintain the public schools to
their last dollar, not for whites only but
for blacks also, for an educated consti-
tuency the south must rely for the pro-
nf ,ix I.s
bold and bitter protest against the ac-
cumulating tendencies of the republican
party to transform the constitutional sys-
tenn of the government into an autocracy
of military power.
The nominee of the democrats for gov
ernor was fortunate selection for the
precarious situation. Personally he was
of the highest type developed by the re-
Gently overturned regime.
The father of General o Neal came with
his wife to Madison county from South
Carolina. He was of an admixture of
Hugenot and Irish blood and a prosperous
slave owner The son was born in Madi-
son county in 1875 was educated in the
best schools of that day and graduated
with honor from La Grange college.
AS the custom then was with young
men preparing for the bar this one en-
tered the law office of an eminent attor-
=
McClung not only stood at the head of
his profession and in that fact recon-
merded himself to an impressible student
under his care, but he was an active po-
litical force and brilliant orator
Edward A. O'Neal was admitted to the
bar at the age of 90 He opened an office
at Florence where he lived ever after He
formed copartnerships in the practice, one
with Judge John E. Moore. a brother of
the eminent Col. Sydenham Moore sis
ter of whom he married
For several years Mr.. ONeal was circuit
solicitor. In 1s49 Congressman George S.
Houston declined reelection. Mr.. ONeal
aspired to the vacancy He was opposed
by David Hubbard and defeated
In 1861 he raised one of the first COM
panies for the Confederate army and be-
came captain. He was promoted colonel
OF the Twenty-sixth Alabama infantry.
He commanded Rodes historic brigage at
Gettysburg. He commanded Cantey' 8
brigade in the unparallel Dalton-Atlanta
campaign. He was more than once
wounded and on many fields ne won
peculiar distinction as fearless leader of
fighting men.
In the years of direct military rule In
the state he was regarded as a leader
OF the forces of redemption. prudent, re-
scurceful and uneompromising.
The campaign of 1892 developed strange
conditions. The whites, in which array
heretofore, had now overcome the ca rpet-
baggers and banished the whole vile lot
The whites in unbroken line had suh-