The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1918-02-03
WHAT is A DEMOCRAT?


AS one leading anti-amendist stated
whether democracy still rules in Alabama
politics, or, in other words, what Is
democrat in Alabama?"
There seems to be a prevalent idea
among those who are opposing the
amendment that the red game rooster of
Alabama democracy no longer crows his
shrill note of defiance in the political
barnyards of Alabama. but that he Is
sinking off into the high ragweeds of
the fence corners, ducking and lodging
his adyersaries in a manner that Is abb
solutely undemocratic, and the time has
come to ferret out the lukewarm apostles
of the Jeffersonian creed and place them
and make them stay put.
In a statement issued last night by
e. d. Smith, national democratic execu-
tive committeeman, it is evident that the
gauntlet has been thrown down to the
amendment advocates and that there Is
going to be warm scrap in Alabama
before John Barieycorn's neck is
stretched across the guilotine. Mr.. Smith
refers to what he terms the "coercive
practices Of the prohibitionists and
states that it is inconceivable that
-
in line with the attitude OF the amend
lists.
WILL CHALLENGE BRYAN
1t is also stated that when William
Jennings Bryan enters Alabama to
wage a fight for the ratification OF
the amendment he Will be challenged
from every stump from which he ad-
dresses an Alabama audience of voters,
and he will be asked for a DIVISION
OF time to discuss the merits of the
amendment as offered for ratifica-
ton.
state rights" is getting into the
limelight and she is mixing the war
paint for a free-for-all that Is going
to be a bout to the finish. The old lady
has her fighting clothes on now and
according to her advance agents she
Is rearing to go. Consequently, replies
to all of the messages to state COM
mitteemen are awaited bit eagerly
AS the next move. in case majority
disapprove of the plan outlined by the
anti-amendists, county convention
or mass meeting of the true and tried
will be called and they will appoint
accredited representatives to a mass
meeting that will most likely be held
in Montgomery, when a method of pro-
cedure will be adopted that will be
the beginning of the fight.
JOHNSTON MAKES STATEMENT
In connection with the statement is
sued by Mr.. Smith the rumor prevails
that Forney Johnston will become the
leader of the fight in Alabama and
that he will most likely become can
didate for governor on a platform
which is to include the principles as
set forth by the anti-amendists. When
asked for verification of this state
ment Mr., Johnston said:
This is not a time for personal con-
sideration, when the world is at war
and the government is passing through
a crisis, and there is tendency to
change the whole system OF the gov
eminent of our state.
II have not even taken the time to
think of such a thing and I will not
entertain such an idea now. That is a
matter for future consideration. put
when the fight begins there will be
standard bearer who will stand for
democracy, the kind we used to boSst
of in Alabama, regardless of who no
may be-"
SMITH EXPLAINS PURPOSES
Mr.. Smiths statement follows;
II wish to emphasize the desire of the
democrats who were patriotic enough
to leave their affairs and Join us in the
recent conference at Montgomery. that
the state democratic executive committee
should make 1t possible for the democrats
Of the state to vote direct on the pend
ing and proposed federal amendments.
THAT a number of the members OF the
state democratic executive committee are
favorable to SO democratic procedure
We are certain. We trust that the rulnor
that a majority Of the committee has
been pledged by an official of the Anti
Saloon league against a submission OF
these vital questions to the democrats Of
the state Is not true. That the effort
should be made by the agencies respon-
slble for the submission of the amend
ment at this time Is in line with their
coercive practices. but 1t is inconceiya-
bic that majority OF the members OF
the committee should take this position.
That is just the procedure which must
be repudiated; and after realizing that
there Is restless and insistent demand
for action and for a square deal l as
sumed responsibility for a conference TO
propose measures to secure a vote by the
democrats Of Alabama. not by counties
or senatorial districts, but from the whole
state. and a reaffirmation by the de-
mocracy of Alabama in a great demo-
critic convention, of its allegiance TO
fixed nd established principles
1--WE have respectfully urged the menu
bers of the state committee to give the
democratic people OF Alabama fair op-
pcrtunity to be heard on the question
whether they shall abandon the party
and abdicate their sovereignty. If this
Is not accorded. we ara going to call On
all OF the democrats Of the state who