The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-10
SENATE PAYS TRIBUTE
TO JOSEPH JOHNSTON
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new and different structures. You re-
moved the rubbish, pushed the army INTO
the vacant ground, established crovl-
sional governments as you would over
territory acquired by conquest from
foreign power, and clothed brigadier and
major generals with extraordinary rune
tons as governors.
With reference to this part of his ca
reer, a friend. in writing a brief sketch
of the senator, said in 1907
His first public service after the dis
banding of the Confederate army was in
connection with the overthrow of Afri-
canism in Alabama. Residents Of the
black belt counties need not be retold Of
the nature of Captain Johnston's services
in those days. He did not waste Jeho-
tah's good time In persuading the black
man that the entire theory of republican
government is repugnant to the DONNA
ton of the iliterate and degenerate.
though that was a constitutional QueB-
ton of lofty interest and truth. On the
contrary. he acted. Organizing the ia
nous lightning committee whose pur-
poses We're practical and not academic.
he and his patriotic associates kept Dali
las county habitable for the white man
until good government had been fully re-
stored to the state.
And so it was amid such turbulent sur
roundings that Captain Johnston entered
the arena of politics and public life and
began that long struggle for civic leader
ship which, through the vary vicisci-
tudes of triumph and disaster, eliminated
in the achievement of the highest honor
within the bestowal of a grateful and
affectlonate people.
Senator Johnston continued to practice
Lis profession at Selma until the year
1883 when he foresaw the possibilities
of Birmingham as the industrial metrop-
oils of the south, and moved to that city
when it only had a population of 5000
people. He was offered and accepted the
presidency of the Alabama National bank
and remained at the head of that institu-
ton for many years. When the Sloss
Iron and Steel company, the pioneer iron
making corporation Of the district, was
organized he was elected its first presi-
dent, and financed and conducted it sue
cessfuly, and from that time ON to his
death was identified as one of tho leading
figures in the industrial and civic develop
ment of what is now a great city.
Defeated for Governor
In the campaign of 1890 he was a cam
didate for the democratic nomination for
governor. but was defeated. In 1894 SEN
ator Johnston made his second race for
the office of governor of Alabama but
was again defeated by Gen. William c.
Oates. This contest was exceedingly close
and was not settled until the state con-
Vention met, when General Oates was
nominated by narrow margin Undis-
mayed by two defeats, in 1896 Senator
Johnston made his third and successful
race for chief executive of the state and
in 1898 was renomnated without opposi-
ton and elected.
IF asked TO state Senator Johnston
leading characteristic, I should without
hesitation say that it was his absolute
devotion to and reliance upon his friends
1t is doubtful If the political history
OF Alabama affords an instance of a pub
lie man who through the varying phases
and tumult of public life gained and alb,
solutely held a larger or more devoted
coterie OF personal followers than die
| Senator Johnston. And SO it happened
that throughout the varying fortunes oi
his story political career Senator John,
ston was never without his close ant
devoted personal following in every coun-
ty in Alabama. whose ardor and dcvo
| ton no defeat could chill, and who formed
| the nucleus OF force that never be
came disspated and who were Away,
eager and anxious to be summoned b,
| their leader to another contest
AT the time when he was stricken
with his fatal Illness he had sent GU
his summons of fidelity once again. auc
for the last time. and with the same un
| falterng trust in his character and states
| msnship, they were answering the cal
, with the old ardor and enthusiasm, be
| cause they loved the man, because the,
trusted the leader, because they knew
that he believed in and loved them
1T Is wonderful thing to contempla t,
the magnetic qualities of a man who
| through the long process of the years cal
so lay hold of the hearts of hosts o.
men, who In every controversy affecting
public affairs. without cavil or question
gave to their leader unreserved alleg
| lance"
Whites Speech
In his speech Senator White said:
Mr.. President prize the distinc
ton of being the immediate successor II
this body of the late Senator Joseph For.
| ney Johnston.
Il did not know him in his early life
nor am | as familiar with his services
in the Senate as are many of you who
| were associated in service with him.
II did know him, however. through
many years of his active business anC
political life. l know enough of him,
| think. to form a fair estimate of hi
character and qualities. He was Nortl
Carolinian by birth, an Albanian b,
adoption. With the equipment furnished
| by one and the opportunity presented
| by the other. he entered earnestly upoI
! life's arduous task Both states watche,
his upward progress with selfish, livel.
| interest; both felt proud OF his achieve
ments He did not disappoint either. bu
reflected credit on both"
! Senator White also went into details
| of Senator Johnston's life In military
political and social spheres and paid glow
| ing tribute to his character.
| The other speakers were Senators Gal
| linger, Thornton, Nelson, Overman, Ash
/ hl,r md I'd