The Age Herald

Great Leaders of 1875.

Said a man, more or less a politician, yesterday: "Some highly interesting reminiscences of citizens who have helped to make new constitutions for Alabama appeared in 'Hotel Lobbies' today and among the names I find General Oates, Boyd of Marshall, Oates of Henry and Col. Hilary A. Herbert came into view among the political leaders of the State as soon as the alien government was abandoned. Indeed, they helped to compel that government to abdicate. They were then young and near the same age.

"Oates took a high stand in the Constitutional convention of 1875. He was chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, which was a position of prime responsibility. The whole constitutional system depends on the force and harmonious character of the judiciary. The young chairman had his hands full and was perhaps the hardest worked man in the body.

"There were old men in that convention, men older than any delegate nominated by the Democrats for the prospective convention. Great uneasiness was felt when the movement was initiated to summon the people by their representatives to set aside the constitution of 1868, which the Republican party Congress had dictated, practically. Governor Houston was never able to approve the movement until the danger had passed. He feared to see Alabama lead off in so great a reform while every Southern State declined to follow. Mississippi, South Carolina and Louisiana, the three most grievously abused States in negro rule, held fast to Congress-made constitutions for periods of time ranging from fifteen to twenty-five years after Alabama threw off the yoke.

"It was the Confederate soldier element, like Oates, Herbert, Boyd and others, who inspired Alabama with courage to proceed in constitutional reform at so early a day."