The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-03-10

nothing to DO With the candidates of IN
dividuals but will devote it's attention to
the defeat of these obstructive heresies.
This is pointed out as being more i'm
portant than any mans ambition"
The formal call with its accompanying
signatures is as follows
"As democrats profoundly interested N
the integrity of the party and in the
preservation of its principles, we call
upon the potent hosts of democracy in
Alabama to a realization Of the present
crisis and for counsel in the unprece-
dented situation existing at this june
ture. The Congress has submitted to the
states for ratification one amendment
to the federal constitution, and a sec
ond has been adopted by the House of
Representatives which will probably be
submitted to the states before the assem-
Bling of the next legislature of Ala
bama. We believe both of these amend
ments to be subversive of the rights oil
the states, contrary to the teachings of
the founders of the federal constitution,
distinctly antipodal to the fundamentals
ingrained in the democratic party by its
elder statesmen and forced upon the
4 time of national peril.
I'VE assert the right and duty of all
democrats in this sovereign state to use
all honorable means to preserve inyto-
late the fundamental faith, to protect
the state in it's integrity, and to NAM
ain the force and efficiency of the his
torie democratic organization.
Certainly, in any democracy full OPP
portunity should be given for the voice
,f I,A ~ X Ia hoo ~ j
where the form and substance of their
government is proposed to be changed.
That privilege is threatened The great
majority of democrats in Alabama have
given unvarying. evidence in the past
that they are democrats in principle
in purpose, in policy. They must again
express their determination to pre-
serve their faith and take the concrete
action necessary to that end. To all
our brethren in democracy who be-
lieve that the proposed amendments to
the federal constitution are indefensi-
BILE we appeal that they bestr them
selves and join in "a resolute fight for
the integrity of our institutions. We
announce that a temporary organiza-
ton has undertaken to put this fight
in motion. and we now call upon the
genuine democrats of the several coun-
ties to assemble at Montgomery on
April 4, 1918. at ] p. M, in the shadow
of that great temple of democracy
where was inaugurated in 1851 one of
the mightiest struggles for the right
of self determination which history re-
cords, for the purpose of renewing
their allegiance to the vital principles
of the party. repudiating false gods,
and taking all steps deemed necessary
and honorable to defeat the amend
ments mentioned.
eve assert that these principles are
more important than any mans am
bition. and call upon all democrats
irrevocably opposed to these destruc-
tive heresies to take counsel together
and join in this campaign, without ref
erence to their allegiance to individ-
ual candidates.
1.-THE civilization of the south is at
stake. 1t falls to the ground when we
adopt measures which confess our in
capacity for. government or dog
matte determination to coerce other
states which compare 'favorably with
Ala bama in the usages of patriotism
and civilization. The question is wheth-
er we are ready to federalize our daily
life, our conscience and our blood On
that issue there should be but one flag
for Anglo Saxons and democrats"
The signers, arranged in alphab etical
order, are. as follows:
c. E. Allen, B. J.. Adams. r. L. An
'drews. DR. j. M. Austin. j. w. Adki-