The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-09

fering with work in the fields En-
couraging reports regarding prepara-
tions for the new crop were received
from a few points in Georgia and Texas
but, on the whole, the belt seemed to
want dry weather to go ahead with
plowing vigorously.
In the spot department prices gained
lone-eighth of a cent, mi9dling closing
at IL 9-16c, against II 7-16c this week
last year. Sales on the spot amounted
ITO 1920 bales, against 5264 this week
last year and 11,620 this week two
Years ago; sales to arrive amounted to
1853, bales, against 1888 last week and
1926 this week last year
.>~~~->~~>~~>~~
Dor. Their contract with the freedmen
must be forever in realization of their
rights as white men. The accident OF
defeat in war carried with it no alem-
bic of Transformation for their pride and
dignity OF race. There was no erucible
of temptation in their vision of future
security to civil liberty. They We're citi-
zens of dissolved government not to
be converted into vessels even of their
oonqueror.s
We have seen in these columns that
three months before the 1sth article OF
amendment of the federal constitution
took effect the new constitution of Ala
bama 1866, emancipated all slaves and
specifically pledged the state TO secure
the freedmen in every civil right then
possessed by white women and white mi
nors. We have seen that when military
rule displaced civil authority. two years
later and the general commanding ordere
popular lection, General Clanton. the
constituted leader of the whites, called
state convention to meet at Montgom.
cry to consider means and methods for
introducing the negro voters into ths
white mans political organization. By
Clantons agency there were II Negro
delegates In that convention and by his
selection as chairman OF the meeting onf
negro sat on the select committee on res
olutions. asaf, m
Nothing to give setback to this gener.
Gus advance of the whites toward the
negro was even done by the whites. who
were democrats.
Circulars were distributed from Mont
gomery of the most absurd character
purporting to be signed by President
Grant demanding the votes of all freed
men for the republican party ticket The
votes must come as called for or Jefferson
Davis would re-establish the Confederacy
The negro preachers must declare from
their pulpits the duty of their focks tt
the republican party. club of wives
WHOSE nuSDdIiuS were SuSDttltu .DI utlI-
ocratic leaning was formed at Opelika
and each novtiate was sworn to put aside
the spouse who proved to be disloyal
Fleming).
While nothing that Mayer, carpet bag
ger chairman Of the republican state
committee, could do to make capital OF
the superstition and ignorance of the
negro was left undone. and Hays, Pei
ham. Alley White, Billy Burleigh Jones
and the whole kennel of scalawags gener-
ally outstripped him in vulgar devices to
the same end. the partisan blindness al
the north remained as dense as ever. The
New York Tribune said: The only ra-
tional course for the whites to pursue is
to admit frankly, that the negro cannot
longer be kept in subordinate position
and they must make of him an ally and
friend United States Senator Morton,
the famous war governor of Indiana,
said: 'sThe civil rights bill Is the prn-
ciple of the republican party; that is to
say, race equality is what the republic
can party demands OF the south.
At Eufaula. at Union Springs, Montgom-
cry. Selma. Mobile. the negroes made
demonstrations of riot. attended by per-
sonai assault and sometimes with blood
shed. These incidents became so gen.
eral In the black belt that Chairman
Bragg called meeting of the citizens OF
Montgomery. to whom he might submit.
the facts. He said the negroes were
being armed and well armed. Whence
did the weapons come? Sheriff Strobacll
of Montgomery county was well aware
that large numbers of armed negroes
were drilling nightly IN or near the city.
Had the sheriff taken precaution to put a
stop to such conduct? Had Governor
Lewis taken notice? He had not heard
of either officers interference to any de-
gree. Judge George w. Stone presided
and Mr. w. 8. Thorington was secretary
of the meeting. The negro voters OF
Montgomery county divided into two rival
factions. contendine for the offices. Both
factions met the same day in county nom
mating conventions. The Advertiser re-
ported the scenes Of their deliberations
"most discussing and disgraceful.' Un-
less the whites should carry the election
the county would have three negroes and
zone white man. meaner than any negro
in the state" in the legislature; also a
negro tax collector and negro tax as
SCISSOR
AThe republican party. nominating con-
ventlon for the First CONGRESS district
net at Selma. Judge Bustred was anx-
ious to name the nominee to the end that
he might have a friend In the federal
House of Representatives pending the inn
De1cnfHcIt movement fd'fiSt iifbis llS
purchased a proxy and largely because
of his superior mental and educational
qualities dominated the body. He caused
Iere Haralson. negro. to be nominated.
The nominee had trouble with the law
and resided for time in the county Jail,
charged with theft of cotton.
On August IA delegates were returning
from this district convention by the rail-
road to Montgomery. Conductor Dbble
started on his rounds collecting tickets.
In the ladies' car he found only three
ladies'. a gentleman unknown to him,
Judre Bustred and the negro COMPANION
OF the judge, two white delegates and the
reporter of the radical paper in Mont
eomery. The negro had used insulting
language toward the gentleman of un-
known name and a blow followed. The
Judge drew a pistol. advising the negro
to keep his seat The conductor ordered
the negro into the next car. The Judge
went with him. Both Immediately re-
turned, followed by perhaps 20 OF the