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THlii ATLANTA WEEKLY SUN, FOR THE WEEK ENDING JUNE 12, 1872-
THE ATLANTA SUN
FROM THE DAILY EDITION OF
TlniESclay- June 6th, 1872.
firaU The Democratic Party most ad
here to the Principles upon -which it was
organized. If it should forsake these,
it will go to pieces—dissolve—die out—
and quickly be no more. The restora- favorite is not attempting to overthrow Dem-
ftaF*' Some Democrats say they are in
favor of Greeley only if he is nominated
at Baltimore, but are doing all they can
to make people believe he ought to be
nominated at that Convention. ****& y
No one can take exception to a Demo
crat laboring to induce his party to nom
inate his favorite candidate, ‘provided that
tion and preservation of Constitutional
Liberty on this Continent is dependent
upon the Democratic Party; and the life
of the Party depends upon the purity
with which its ancient faith is preserved.
ocralic principles, and is not seeking the
suffrage of Democrats for ike sake of kill
ing their parly; but we think it is right
for those who still cling to the old ban-
We ought to welcome as allies
and friends, all who forsake Radiclaism
and Centralization and who will co
operate with us in checking these and
restoring the government to its -ancient
principles of local Self Government; (not
Greeley’s kind of local self government,
which subjects it to what the Central Au
thorities may permit) but when Democrats
leave their own professions, their record,
their creed, their time-honored princi
ples, and go over to the support of
Radical upon Radical principles, they
ought not to hold out the idea that such
a step is Democratic, or that a triumph on
such a line would be a Democratic tri
umph, or bo of any advantage to the
Democratic Party or its principles.
Shall the great Democratic Party go
over to a small squad of dissatisfied Radi
cals, who refuse to come to us, but invite
us to forsake our principles and join
them on their Platform? Let them
come to ns if they are in favor of reform
—if they are in earnest—if they fdesire
a restoration of the government to its
pristine purity.
nerof the party, to tell those whose pre
ference is a known Radical, that they
are the disorganizes, and do not repre
sent the Democratic Party, and that their
teachings should not be heeded.
How is it that Democrats can
urge the Party to vote for a Radical on
his own chosen Radical principles, and
at the same time cry out in pleading ac
cents for Party unity and harmony ?
such persons want Democrats to forsake
their Party and principles, of course
they have a right to take that position
and urge it. No one can justly condemn
them for such a course, if such be their
sincero conviction; but it does seem to
us, that in all fairness and uprightness
they should first declare a belief that it
is proper to change front Jaud leave the
ground always before occupied by the
Democratic Party; or to cease the main
tenance of its principles; and then open
ly and fairly invite and urge other Dem
ocrats to do likewise, giving whatever
reasons, sustained by whatever argu
ments, they think proper. Such
course, it seems to us, would be prefera
ble, more consistent, and not to be com
plained of by any.
But when men urge the Party to take
a step which it cannot take; to depart
from its life-long principles, which con
stitute the vitals of its organization, we
know not how they can, in doing so,
claim to be good Democrats. To all
such, it ought to be apparent at once
that there cannot be any _ Party unity
harmony, or concert of action on such
line. It certainly is very strange for any
one to think that the Democracy can be
led as a body, with their eyes open, over
to the support of principles or men in
direct hostility to the principles of their
own organization.
About Gainesville.
One of our enterprising merchants has
just returned from Gainesville, in whose
reports and observations of the place we
have been interested.
It is a fast growing place. In two
years the population has increased from
four hundred to twenty-one hundred
A broad, handsome avenue from the
depot to the city, a distance of a mile
and a half, has been constructed, and fine
residences are being constructed along
its line. Fine residences and other
buildings are going np, and improvement
is apparent on all sides.
There are three hotels: The Carter
House, which fronts on the Public
Square; and Mr. Christain, who keeps
the Gainesville Hotel, treats everybody
like a Christian.
The church interests receive attention.
The Methodists will, in a few days, be
gin to build a commodious house of
worship, costing over 63,000. All the
churches have large and interesting Sun
day schools.
Gainesville and vicinity aspires to be
come a noted section of country for wa
tering places and delightful summer re
sorts. In a mile and a half are the cele
brated Lime Springs, where adfeomrao-
dations’fcr guests are constructed. Sev
eral excursions to this spring have been
gotten up by the Air-Line Railroad from
this city.
And there are the Oconee White Sul
phur Springs, kept by onr own popular
McCamy, which has already become
widely known, and is much resorted to
by pleasure seekers. It was largely pa
tronized by people from all sections of
the South last year, and a more extensive
resorting to the same promises for the
present year. _
There is a determination among the
citizens of Gainesville to build the nar
row guage railroad from there to Dah-
lonega, and another to Jefferson. Gaines
ville bids fair to be the most important
point from Atlanta to Charlotte.
LETTER FROM AUGUSTA.
Augusta, Ga., Junel, 1872.
Editors Atlanta Sun : In common with
the people of the entire country, the
citizens of Richmond county are watch
ing with deep interest the developments
of the campaign now progressing. They
feel that a great, and perhaps a final,
battle for Civil Liberty on this continent
is about to be fought, and they are look
ing forward with anxious solicitude to
the result.
Whilst reflecting minds are impressed
with the solemn and 'critical nature of
the struggle, it is sad to see the Consti
tutional Army—the Democratic Party—
weakened by dissensions and divisions,
which, if not speedily healed, must
almost inevitably end in defeat and
disaster.
If Greeley should be nominated
at Baltimore, it will demoralize and ut
terly ruin the Demooratic Party. A por
tion of the members of the Party may be
induced to vote for him; but the Parly can
never, in unity be brought to the support
of such an undemocratic proceeding.—
If the Convention should take such a
step, it will be one which the Party in
mass cannot be expected to follow. No
Democrat, of course, can be bound by
any sort of consideration or implication,
even in the remotest degree, by such ac
tion; for it will, if taken, be wholly un
authorized by the Constitution of the
Party—contrary to any usage—wholly
out of order, and will, of itself, be noth
ing but an open usurpation.
The Convention is called to carry out
the Principles of the Party—not to over
throw or annul them. If they see lit to
travel out of their way aud subvert their
principles on that question, any Demo
crat will then have a perfect right to vote
as he pleases.
And it is a fact which cannot be dis
guised, that there are hundreds of thou
sands who will never indorse this De
parture, with Greeley or anybody else,
Every true Democrat will most cheer
fully abide by and zealonsly support the
nominee of the Party, provided the Prin
ciples of the Party are not violated in
making that nomination; provided the
Convention adheres to Democratic usage;
provided the Convention confines itself
to its proper action—does not betray its
trust or usurp unauthorized power, or
take unlawful steps, or transcend its au
thority, or disgrace the record, or at
tempt to set aside the principles of the
Party. If these things should be done,
Democrats will not be bound by snch
action.
I? Grant is defeated, it must be
by a candidate on sound Constitutional
principles, and such a Platform as will
not be a surrender of these princi
ples; and which will not be a compro
mise with or indorsement of Radicals,
or their policies in any shape whatever!
—
£@3°“ Some who are urging the Demo
cratic Party to forsake its principles,
trample upon its record, stultify itself,
and completely Radicalize the party, are
already crying out “bolter” to those who
openly declare that they will not thus
follow, if the party should take such a
fatal and disastrous step !
Au Inquiry.
Jt, Buck Heap, Fulton Co.,'June 4, ’72.
Mr. Editor: It is reported in" this
neighborhood, by persons who, if they
ever were, didn’t go to be Democrats,
that the National Democratic party is in
a dying condition; and that in the event
of its death, one Horace Greeley, of the
State of New York, its “ life-long ene
my,” has applied for letters of adminis
tration on its estate, consisting sfllely of
the “principles of constitutional govern
ment,” bequeathed us by the “Fathers
of the Republic.” •
Is the report true ?
If so, please inform me at your earliest
convenience. BeiDg one of the “heirs
at law,” and believing Mr. Greeley is not
a fit and proper person to take charge of
“the Estate,” I desire to file objections
to his appointment. Democrat,
In reply to our correspondent, we have
to say, that, in our judgment, the Demo
cratic party of the country is not in »a
dying condition;” and were it to “go
dead,” Horace Greeley would be the
last man that the Supreme Court of the
Democracy, which assembles in Balti
more on the 9th day of July, would ap
point to wind up its affairs.—[Editors
Sun.
Fop The Sun.
Democracy.
Democracy, all hail!
The Great Army of American Liberty!
Seek no affinity with the corrupt powers
that be. Thy character is nationalized,
and has been kept unspotted from the
world.
Thy votaries have battled too long for
the right ever to suffer themselves to fall
at the feet of the great Radical Jugger
naut, and there do penance at the shrine
of Horace Greeley, Grant & Co.
Millions have sheltered under the
shadow of thy wings, aud found peace
and protection. Long may thy eagle
eye watch over us and guide us in the
ways of Integrity, Worth . and Liberty.
Thy glorious Banner is still unfurled to
all the down-trodden, liberty-loving of
earth. Thy name and thy principles
have found an echo in the hearts of the
good and the true, and will yet be the
talisman which shall protect and save all
thy devotees.
Our home is from Ocean to Ocean,
aud from the great lakes to the Gulf; all
over this vast domain, Democracy has
been, and should be, the password of the
noble and the free. Let thy golden
plumage glitter in the sunlight, and thy
sheltering Aegis hover over us, while the
sword of truth i3 unsheathed to battle
for the right. Gladius.
Dead.
The Macon Telegraph and Messenger,
of Tuesday, says:
We regret to learn of the death of Dr.
Josiah Bailsman, of Crawford county,
which occurred yesterday morning at
liig residence in that county. Dr. H.
was one of the most prominent and re
spected citizens of this section, and for
many years has been a leading man ^ in
Crawford county. He was a physician
by profession, but retired from practice
some years ago, and since that time has
been actively engaged in agricultural
pursuit?.
The Cincinnati Platform and nomina
tions threaten to prove like the Greek
horse that was unsuspectingly admitted
into the walls of beleaguered Troy—our
swift destruction. The Greeley faction
the Radical party seemingly are
friendly enough, and even propose, un
der artful disguise, to join us in doing
honor to some of our lesser Democratic
Deities.
But let us beware lest their deceitful
wiles should prove our ruin. Let us
‘fear the Greeks even though they bring
gifts.” Let us not admit them into our
confidence—the citadel of our strength—
even though they come to us with fair
promises and oily words, by which their
real objects are concealed. Let Greeley
and Inis party be judged by their past
and present records; not by their seeming
professions.
Let the country at large, and the South
especially, remember that the “white
hat Philosopher” was either the author
or the fierce advocate of every scheme to
degrade and overwhelm us with distress.
The syren song, “Let us have peace,”
which was so delusively sung by the Pres
ident-General, and echoed in such sweet
and alluring notes hy Mr. Greeley, still
rings in our ears; but alas! it is mingled
with the discordant wails of distress
coming up from many a prison-cell, where
the innocent victims of Grant and Gree
ley's cruel policy cry out in eloquent but
sorrowful attestation of their miserable
hypocrisy.
‘ ‘ Honest Horace Greeley !” Yes, hon
est he may be; but before joining in this
cry, let the people recall how, in the ex
citing days of 1860-’61, when the South
ern States, one by one, were withdraw
ing from the Union, he counseled the
North to let them depart in peace; that
he recognized the doctrine of Thomas
Jefferson, asserting the truth that all
just governments rest upon the assent of
the governed; and yet how, in the short
space of a few days, he completely chang
ed his tone, and with all his acknowl
edged ability, was urging the immediate
suppression of the “wicked rebellion,”
and crying lustily, “down with the vile
traitors.”
The Federal army was too slow for
this now blood-thirsty war man. One
who read his ferocious fulminations
against the South in those days would
have found it difficult to recognize in
them the same writer who, but a short
time before, had declared with equal
earnestness against the right of coercion.
If such a sudden and radical revolution
of sentiment upon issues involving the
lives of thousands, and the happiness of
millions of his countrymen, North and
South be the fruit of honesty, in the lan
guage of Hon. Linton Stephens, “I beg
you have me excused from such honesty!
Would that the Democracy of the
country could be induced to stand
unitedly together, upon their own hal
lowed and time-honored principles, and
with a standard-bearer from their own
ranks, “fight the good fight,” not for a
moment stop to consider the suicidal
policy of selecting a leader from the
army of the foe, who, at the critical mo
ment, will betray them into the hands
of their enemies!
On last Wednesday night, as your
readers already know, a meeting was held
in our City Hall to select delegates from
this county to the State Convention.
After organizing, the chair appointed
a Committee on Resolutions, who, as is
usual on such occasions, went through
the form of “retiring, ” for the purpose
of “consulting” and “preparing” such
resolutions as it was proposed the meet
ing should adopt.
During the absence of this Commit
tee, Hon. Linton Stephens being pres
ent, was called upon to give his views
upon the situation, and the proper
course for the Democracy to take in the
present emergency. I will .not attempt
to follow the eloquent gentleman in his
appeal to the Democracy of Richmond
county, to stand firmly by their colors in
this crisis. Suffice it to say that his ad
dress was a noble, manly and powerful
effort, overflowing with zeal for the holy
cause of Constitutional Liberty. TTis
review of Greeley’s record, with his life
long enmity to the rights of the States,
and especially to the South; his advo
cacy of all the enormities of reconstruc
tion, of the suspension of the writ of
Habeas Corpus in time of peace; of the
Ku-Klux and Enforcement Acts, was of
itself an unanswerable argument against
the policy of true Democrats giving him
their support.
Judge Stephens then took up the Cin
cinnati Platform, with Greeley’s “epi
tome” of that famous instrument; and,
withdrawing from them the veil of “glit
tering generalities” under which their
true meaning is deceitfully hidden, he
laid bare the monster head and cloven
foot of Centralism, which is embodied
in the words “subject to our solemn Consti
tntional obligations to maintain the equal
rights of citizens." Our policy should aim
at local self government.
His whole speech was a powerful pro
test against the folly of the Democracy
giving up the fight at the very moment
when the divisions in the Radical ranks
present the most favorable opportunity
for gaining a glorious victory.
Judge Stephens was iollowed by Gen.
Wright, Judge Hilliard, and other gen
tlemen, who, I am sorry to say, advoca
ted the “anybody to beat Grant” policy.
I freely accord to them all an honest pur
pose to promote the welfare of their
country; but their addresses lacked the
ring of that unswerving devotion to prin
ciple which characterized Judge Ste
phens’ speech.
The committee reported a series of
resolutions which breathed forth unex
ceptionable Demecratic doctrines, but in
effect, declared a willingness to abandon
them all upon the sole condition that by
doing so, Grant -migkt-be defeated.
They reminded me forcibly of a drunk
en man who tries hard to walk straight,
and imagines he is persuading those
around him that he is “all right," but,
alas, poor fellow ! his stammering, un
certain utterance and wavering gait be
tray him, and his vain efforts to appear
sober only render him ridiculous in the
eyes of lookers on.
Greeley doubtless laughs in bis white
coat sleeve, at the strange figures some
good people cut, in their intoxication,
when they endeavor to stand on Demo
cratic feet, but in their staggerings fall
lovingly into the arms of the worst Rad
ical that ever raised his voice in opposi
tion to Constitutional Liberty on this Con
tinent !
There was little opposition developed
in the_ meeting to the adoption of the
Committee’s resolutions; but it must not
be inferred that the Democracy of Rich
mond county are, by any means, a unit
in favor of this undecided, leaning-to-
Greeley policy. There are a great m any,
as the writer knows, who are uncondi
tionally and unalterably down on the life
long enemy of the South, and until lately,
very lately, the vile traducer of her people.
This strong element of opposition to
Greeley was scarcely heard in the Rich
mond County Convention, simply be
cause it lacked organizrtion. But if quiet
now, it will be heard hereafter.
Troup,
BTHE CASE OP W. P. SULK It.
ASSUMIVO
PIKE COUNTY.
THE DEMOCRACY WHEELING INTO LINE.
TllKMEXDOl'j
TIOXS.
PROPOll-
A Diversity of Testimony ami a Multi
tude of Witnesses.
Some Interesting Developments and
Side Issnes.
In accordance to a previous notice, the
Democrats of Pike county met in con
vention on Tuesday last, and, on motion
of J. F. Redding, Judge H. Green was
requested to act as Chairman, and Judge
E. T. Pound as Secretary.
The object of the meeting was stated
by the Chairman, and on motion of Dr,
A. Williams, the Chairman appointed
a committee to prepare business for the
meeting, consisting of J. A. Williams,
R. Y. Powell, J. H. Mitchell, W. H. Wil
lis, Jacob McLendon, F. W. H. Doyle,
James Dismuke, J. F. Redding and Dr.
J. S. Lavender. The committee report
ed the following:
Whereas, The Executive Committee
of the Democratic Party of the United
States have appointed the 9th day of
July next for the assembling of the dele
gates at Baltimore, to make choice of a
candidate for President of the United
States;
And whereas, It is the time-honored
custom of Georgia to send her delegates
to represent the voice of the people in
convention, on similar occasions;
And whereas, The State Convention is
to meet in the city of Atlanta, on the
26th day of this month, for the purpose
of effecting that object, we, the Demo
cratic party of Pike county, deem it
necessary to send our delegates to said
Atlanta Convention, to represent us as
a party on that occasion;
And, whereas, there seems to be, in
some counties, as well as amongst the
editors of the press, a difference of opin
ion as to what line of policy the Demo
cratic party shall pursue, at Baltimore,
to ensure the success of the Democratic
principles in the coming political cam
paign, or future administration of the
government, by nominating a true and
tried Democrat, as the color-bearer of
the Party, or to yield the flag and field
to Horace Greeley the Cincinnati nomi
nee;
And, whereas, we believe that the free
and fall political sentiment of the peo
pie, should be truthfully reflected by
their representatives, in Convention, on
that subject, that the Democratic Party
may not be misled in their future ac
tions, we, the Democratic Party of
the county of Pike, desire to make
a full and free expression of our senti
ments on that subject; therefore, be it
1. Resolved, That this meeting ap
point four delegates to meet in Atlanta
on the 26th day of Jane, 1872, in the
State Democratic Convention, to repre
sent the county of Pike.
2. Resolved, That said delegates are
hereby instructed, by their constituents,
this day in our primary meeting, to cast
their votes, in said Atlanta Convention,
for such delegates as. in their judgment
will vote for true and tried Democratic
candidates for President and Vice Presi
dent in the Baltimore Convention.
3. Resolved, That we recognize and in
dorse the unflinching position taken by
the Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, to
maintain the purity of both Principles
and Party, that the Democracy must lift
its banner from the dust, and place it in
the hands of a worthy leader who is
willing to die a Political death at the
foot of its staff, rather than yield it
tamely into the hands of an insidious
Joe who like the Subtle Serpent that
beguiled Eve, woos only to win” and then
destroy.
4. Resolved, That we deem it not out of
place on this occasion to express our un
qualified approbation of the short but
able administration of our State Gov
ernment, by his Excellency, Governor
James M. Smith, in whose ability we feel
assured the State motto will be enforced
in WISDOM, JUSTICE AND MODERPTION.
After a lengthy and spirited disenssion
by Col. J. A. Hunt, Col. J. F. Redding
and Col. F. W. A. Doyle, the report was
adopted.
Delegates were then appointed to the
Convention to be held in Atlanta June
the 26th, as follows: L J. Dozier
and J. H. Mitchell. Alternates—J. F,
Redding and J. H. Baker.
On motion, it was ordered that the
procedings of the meeting be furnished
the Atlanta Sun and Barnesville Gazetie l
and that they be requested to publish
the same.
H. Green, Chairman.
. E. T. Pound, Secretary.
Old Times in Georgia.
Hon. Iverson L. Harris delivered
lecture to the Good Templars of Md-
ledgeville on the 23d ult, on old times
in Georgia, au£ yespecially in Milledge
ville. How justice was administered in
these old times, is told in the following
paragraph :
“Among the earlier reminiscences of
Milledgeville, the speaker discribed the
ducking of a common scold, under solemn
sentence of the law, in the Oconee river,
by the High Sheriff of the county, be
fore the transition from the rigid common
law to our popular code. The speaker
had also seen, about the year 1814 or
1815. a man executed for the passing of
a five dollar counterfeit bill! The
present temper of the age, and resultant
change of laws, in these instances, are
striking illustrations of progress, *
i-Tne defense resumed the case yesterday morning,
by introducing new evidence for the impeachment
of Mr. Dave S. Harris. For this purpose Mr." Starr,
Mr. Dudley Campbell, Mr. £oyston, Mr. a. H. Har
den, Mr. T. J. Biker,Mr. Marcus Harden and Mr. Rut
ledge, of Morgan county, were qualified, aud aU testi
fied to the bad character of Mr. Harris, and declared
they could not believe him on his oath in a court of
justice. Mr. Streeter also was introduced for the
same purpose, but, in reply to the question whether
he would believe Mr. Harris on oath, replied that it
was a hard question, and stated that he could not
answer it.
Mr. Augustus Studdard also In response to the
same question, answered: "Well, I'd hate for him
to take a pop at me. Them’s my sentiments.’’
Mr. Starr, the first witness, stated that it was re
ported that Mr. Harris had 8,000 men under his
command, and he . believed it.
On the cross-examination, when the Solicitor
Geueral sought to affect the credibility of the wit
ness by proving their^personal prejudice or ill feel
ings against Mr. Harris, Mr. Campbell admitted that
he had once sworn to abide the result of an arbitra
tion in which Harris was connected; and further
stated fruit he had not yet satisfied the demands of
tfiat arbitrament. Mr. Royston founded his opin
ion of the unreliability of Mr. Harris solely on his
reputation as a desperate man. Mr. 13. H. Harden
admitted that ho was indicted for selling liquors to
a minor; for keeping a disorderly house. He fur
ther testified as foUows: Harris is a witness against
me in these cases. I had a rival house against Mr.
Harris in Rutledge.
EOCG I BICE DRINKS
at my bar-room. • He patronizes aU the bar-rooms
in Rutledge, going from one to the other. I have
sworn out a warrant against Mr. Harris.
Mr. T. J. Baker stated that he founded his belief
on the unreliability of Harris on the report 01
others, aud mentioned first among tfiose from whom
he had heard these reports, W ilhams aud Starr, who
had just testified.
Mr. Marcus Harden admitted there, were indict
ments against him, and said he believed Mr. Harris
was a witness against his (Harden’s) brother. Mr.
Rutledge admitted that hes uspected that Mr.Harris’
brother had
‘ ‘BLACK-BALLED’ ’
A VOICE EHOJi SEW
3
HAMPSHIRE.
him, and thus prevented him from becoming a
member of the Masonic fraternity.
Here the defense sought to ebtablish the good char
acter of the prisoner; aud introduced for this pur
pose the following gentlemen, viz; R. j. Cowart,
Amos Fox, Mr. Cox, S. P. Wells, W. M. Lowry, S. R.
Hoyle, A. C. Wyly, G. W. Jack, Willis Chisolm, B.
H. Hill, Jr., Mr. Talley, Charles A. Collier, aud J.
D. Collins, aU of whom testified to the uniform good
character of the defendant, to tho time when the
present accusation against him was first announced.
Tfie defense also sought, through Mr. CoUlns, to
Impeach the credlbUity of the negro, Ben Wilson,
by showing a discrepancy in the statement of Wilson
on the stand and in a conversation with Siler, in the
presence of Mr. Collins—'Wilson saying on tho stand
that Fry and he (Wilson) went behind the jaU door
and opened the package containing the key: and in
private conversation, that Siler and Fry did this,
and not himself and Fry. Mr. Collins further testi
fied that Wilson, on the occasion, seemed to be ex
cited.
Here Mr. Boothe was introduced by tho defense
to further impeach credibility of Wilson by showing
discrepancies between his testimony and his asser
tions previous to the trial. Mr. Boothe testified:
“One day Mr. SUer came to my shop and asked me
to witness a conversation between Wilson and him
self. I assented. At this conversation, Wilson sta
ted that he swore before the Grand Jury that only
one package of papers was handed to Frj, and that
he further testified that he never saw Siler hand a
key to Fry. SUer then said: “Ben, that is the
truth. If you swear that, I am not uneasy; but if
you swear anything else, remember, I am a
young man, and wiU probably outlive my punish
ment, and further remember I have a six-shooter/'
Siler said nothing to Wilson about “Ku-Kluxing” c
“friends would avenge him,’’ but that from influ
ences which would certainly bo brought to bear on
him by certain parties, he feared WUson would be
persuaded to swear falsely against him.
Mr. John Ashworth, of this county, further im
peached the witness by saying he would not believe
him on oath, founding that opinion on the report of
the negro's wife and his own brother, and the fact
that Wilson hid been impeached in a court of jus
tice.
Mr. David S. Harris was here re-called to tho
stand by the defense, but said he
DID SOT CHOOSE TO GO,
being indignant at the scheme adopted by the de
fense to impeach his testimony. The Court then
notified him that in case of his peisistent refusal he
would be committed-to jail and confined until he
had purged himself of the contempt of the Court by
answering the question, even if it should be until
he was a gray-headed man. He consented to an
swer, and in reply to a question propounded by
Gen. GartreU, stated that he did not recollect ever
having said anything to J. D. WeUs in jail. Siler
came into the witness room after I had been qualified,
but before I had testified, and in an apologetic mam
ner, stated that if he had known the character of the
persons whom he had obtained to impeach his tes
timony, in other words, if he had known they were
his (Harris') personal enemies, he would never hav
subpoenaed them.
Mr. J. D. Wells, of this city, then testified that he
remembered on one occasion to have heard Mr.
Harris (the witness) say he knew nothing about the
key that was introduced into the jail. (Immediately
afterwards, however, Mr. Wells arose and declared
that he was mistaken; that it was Mr. David Harris’
father that made the statement.) _
Sheriff J. O. Harris was here introduced by the
defense for the purpose of laying the foundation for
impeaching his credibibility in the case. He testi
fied: I have had several conversations with different
persons respecting the guilt or innocence of the de
lendent, Siler, and among them remember to have
had one with Mr. A. R. Watson. I stated that Siler
was “owning up” to the charge, but my informa
tion was obtained from the guard in whose care Mr.
Siler was then placed.
By Gen. GartreU: “Was it not upon that inform
ation and that assurance that Mr. Watson published
au article in The Atlanta Sun, announcing that Mr.
SUer had confessed?” (Question ruled out).
By Gen. GartreU: “Did you not admit to Mr.
CoUins and Mr. Biggers, after this article appeared
in The Atlanta Sun', that the information given
Mr. Watson by you was untrue, aud that you made
the statement in a laughing way, and did not think
the d—d fool would publish it ?” The question was
objected to by the State’s counsel, whereupon Mr.
S. B. Spencer
ADDRESSED THE COURT,
stating that it was the avowed object of the defense
to prove that it was the purpose of the prosecutors
to fix the responsibility and the consequences of
this jail deUvery upon some one, so as to escape
censure themselves; that Mr. Harris had made this
statement to Mr. Watson, and upon his assurance it
had been pubUshed to the world; that his and the
public’s mind had been poisoned thereby; that af
terwards Mr. SUer had appUed to publishers of The
Sun to inquire of whom they obtained this informa
tion; that he was referred to Mr. Harris, and that
that gentleman, even after learning that Mr. SUer
had denied that he had confessed, had stiU neglected
to correct the published version of the matter, the
facta of which pubUcation were obtained from him.
(The question was ruled out)
Mr. A. R. Watson was here introduced.
By Gen, GartreU—Mr. Watson, was it not upon
the information furnished by Mr. J. O. Harris that
you published the announcement that Mr. SUer had
confessed ? (Question ruled out) Mr.Watson then
testified: I have had some conversation with air.
Harris on tho subject of Mr. SUer’s guilt or inno
cence. Mr. Harris told me that Mr. SUerwas “own
ing it aU up.” I do not remember that he stated
that his information was obtained from Mr. SUer’s
guard.
Mr. J. D. CoUins was here placed upon the stand
and testified: “Mr.Harris was at the City HaU one
morning. Mr. Biggers asked him how it was that
he (Harris) had announced that Siler had confessed
and yet Siler had denied it. Sheriff Harris repUed
that he told Mr. Watsen .
IX A LAUGHING WAY
and did not suppose that the d - -df l '°l would publish
it. Mr. Biggers then asked him why he had not
corrected it, when Harris repUed: "The more you
stir np a stink, the worse you make it.”
Mr. W. B. Biggers here corroborated the testimo
ny of Mr. CoUins in every paaticular, when the de
fense announced that they would close.
The State then qualified a number of witnesses for
the purpose of sustaining the testimony of Mr.
Dave 8. Harris. Mr. Rough Bice first took the
stand, and stated that he would beUeve Sir. Harris
on cath in a court when the Court adjourned till
thig morning. ^
The case wiU -probably occupy aU of to-day and
to-morrow. It is-creating a deep and extensive in
terest. Quite a spirit of rivalry has been established
between the friends and enemies of the witness
Dave S. Harris, judging from the character of their
conversation on the streets. Quite a large number
of witnesses, both lor the purpose of impeaching
and sustaining his testimony, are in the city.
HEAR AND PONDER !
Nashua, N. H. f May 27, 1872.
Editors of the Atlanta Sun: That wagon
has come at last, and we find Horace a
very fast driver, if we may judge from
ondil. We are called upon to believe
tliat lie is to drive into the "White
House at the same furious speed he has
started out on; but he may find it conve
nient tOj“swap horses,” which no sin
cere man will give him the credit of do
ing.
He may be a weather vane on many
things, but in politics he is always fou id
there, when the choice of Democralio or
Republic.au principles is at stake. Idee
water, he finds his level. If he had i ea ly
changed his auti-Democratio print ip as
and brought forth fruit meet for lep in
tan ce, there would have been a cl &Q:e;
but now it is too late. *
"Horace! ¥ou do not stand a ghost of
a sight. Oau the Democracy, three mil
lion .n number, prove recreant to its
past glorious history—go baek ou all the
teachings of its great leaders, which have
been handed down through successive
generations, aud without a thought of
the past, throw themselves into the polit
ical embrace of a few disaffected, disap
pointed office-seekers, and support a man
whom they know to be one of their bit
terest enemies ?
He has been foremost in leading the
crusade against the Constitution and the
Union of our fathers. Can there be any
consistency in supporting the mau who
has helped bring this country to its pre
sent deplorable condition, ana without a
word of repentance for liis misdeeds?
Patrick Henry once said: “We must
judge a man from his p?st history.” Is
there any reason to suppose that, if
elected, he would favor the South? He
never was its friend ; on the
contrary, lie was its most relent
less enemy , and gloried in
warring on her institutions and rights.
Are there not enough men of principle
in the party, who would prefer an
honorable defeat to a barren victory; and
barren will be that victory when the
Democratic party elect Horace Greeley
to represent their principles !
Will the South be benefited by hia
election ? That is "the most important
question; for Southern bayonets axe
much harder to endure than Northern
taxes. Will the man who has lived to see
the doctrine he has advocated made the
law of the land, repent his evil, acknowl
edge he has worshipped false gods, and
with his own baud tear them down?
Some might, but H. G. never. Shall we
commit political suicide and allow the
Republic of Washington to receive its
death-blow in the house of its friends 2
Shall liberty, witli sorrowful look,turn to
its defender and say: “And thou, too, Oh
Brutus ?”
Let us remember the past, and hoping
for the future, rally as men of principle
aud right to the support of a true stan
dard-bearer, one in whom all have con
fidence; and is there a reasonable doubt
but we shall be victorious ? Yours,
R. W. F.
-*-4-
Gcorgla Blatters at Washington.
From the special dispatches from Wash
ington, to the Macon Daily Enterprise^
of the 4th, the following items are col
lected:
The Senate passed a bill last night for
the relief of T. P. Robb, formerly Col
lector of Customs at Savannah. The
bill authorizes the Secretary of the Trea
sury to pay Robb one thousand dollars
for services in recovering 61,800 from
one A. L. Harris, a defaulting Postmas
ter.
The Georgia delegation now en route
for Philadelphia, had another interview
with the President this morning. It
seems that this delegation is very
anxious to impress the President with
their disinterested devotion to his cause.
The House passed a bill this morning
removing the disabilities of Lucius J.
GartreU and Martin J. Crawford, of Geor
gia, and are now discussing the confer
ence report of the tariff bUl.
The Georgia Railroad and Banking
Company of Augusta are indebted to the
Government over one hundred thousand
dollars for back taxes.
Reductions in Cotton Freights.
The Macon Telegraph says:
We announce, by authority, that the
managers of the Central Railroad have
decided to reduce the through freights
on cotton per hundred pounds to 95
cents from Macon to New York, Phila
delphia and Baltimore. From this point
to Savannah the charge will be 35 cents.
Mr. Wadley makes the explicit decla
ration that the company is not compelled
to take this step by the action of com
peting lines, but-, on the contrary, will
force them to reduce their rates. So we
go. The dear people wiU be thankfnl
for the result, however originated or
brought about.
* A JacksonviUe (III.) urchin tied
the baby carriage to the old mare’s tail,
and his little brother got a lively ride
and a broken head.
Discretion is the better part of valor.
Tom and Arthur have been rude to their
mamma. Mamma has complained to
papa, who is heard coming up stairs.
Arthur: “I say, Tom, here come3 papa;
I shall pretend to be asleep.” “ I shan’t;
I shaU get up and put something on.”
Dogs that Have Two Eats.—Any dog upon the
streets without a coUar is subject to being put into
the pound at the calaboose. Then, unless redeemed
for a dollar within forty-eight hours, it is taken out
side of the corporation and killed. A collar costing
a dollar is a protection as long as worn.
The large number lately collected make an in
tolerable howling during their two days.
Be3jdes, it is dangerous to catch the ugly creatures,
and especially a3 “dog days” approach. Policeman
Brice Webb was bitten on the hand last week in
catching one, which has disabled his arm with severe
pain. It is stated that several mad dogs have been
tilled in this city lately—one this week, in tho last
stages of hydrophobia.
Would it not be well to prohibit dogs from going
on the streets altogether, either with or without a
collar? We have a city law prohibiting hogs from
going on the streets. They are excellent scavenger*
and are not dangerous, while dogs are worthless
and dangerous.
It requires five millions of men, half a j
million of horses, and eight thousand
cannon, maintained at an annual expense ! - E. F. Spaun and Susan Eberhart were
of seven hundred millions of dollars, to S nilfc y ? f the munk-iofi ra
,, , m- • - rah Spann, wife of E. 1. Spann, in ou
preserve the peace of Europe. “
exclusive of the cost of forts, arsenals
ships, waggons, tent's hospitals, &c.
m, . - imuSpann, - - ,
Tuis is j p er j or Court Western Circuit, last week,
■seuals, j and sentenced by Judge J. M- Clark o
' be Lung on the 5th of July next.