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VOL. XX.—NO. 46.
REVILE NOT AGAIN.
Gen. Gordon's Southern Plans—The
Southern Members Should Not Re
ply to the Bitter Speeches of
the Radicals, but to Take
Abuse Camly,
[Special dispatch to the Philadelphia Times.]
Washington, December I.—Gen
eral Gordon arrived here last night
from Georgia, and was present in his
seat in the senate to day. Tho sena*
tor comes here in a very earnest
frame of mind, and in this and iri his
purposes he represents those who
have come to be known as the con
servative men of the south. What
he says will be found to be the opin
ions of men like Senators Lamar,
Bansom, Jones, of Florida, and Wade
Hampton. I found him to-day in
his committee room making ready
for the business of the session. He
was looking ruddier and in much
better health than when he left
"Washington at the close of the last
session-, the result of a long, pleasant
summer of domestic and farm life at
his home near Atlanta. Speaking of
this, and very modestly of the ex
tremely interesting story of his part
In the last battles of the war, pub
lished some time since in the Times,
he said at length in answer to a ques
lion put by me as to his idea of the
hind of a session we are about to
have; “I trust we are devoted to the
Interests of the Whole country. X
came here to do what I canto pre>
vent the keeping alive of sectional
animosities, the stirring up of sec
tional strife and the discord that pre
vailed at the last session, and will
prevail so long as this ‘southern
question’ is kept alive.” j
SOUTHERN MEN TO KEEP QUIET.
General Gordon is a man of such
sincere conviction and withal is so
thoroughly in earnest that he is very
eloquent even in conversation, and
he seemed to-day to be pouring out
what had been kept in and checked
for many months. He said that he
had come here with the purpose to
do what he could to prevent south
ern men from answering any of the
abuse that might be heaped upon
them and which, he saw, had already
been threatened by some republicans.
Thfe was his first object and for that
he was prepared to lay by for the
time all discussion of the doctrine of
State rights. “I am, indeed, a dem
ocrat,” said he, “and I believe'thor
oughly in the right of local self-gov
ernment. I think the people in all
the States, north as well as south, be
lieve in that, and not one State in the
union would surrender a single right
for which I would contend. Why I
would not have it spoken,of now,
however, is because it is covered over
and blackened by the leaders of the
republican party in congress, and
made to be equivalent to the dead
and buried issue of secession. Of
course you know and they know that
our doctrine of State rights has no
thing of the old dogma about it. It
is precisely what the citizens of every
State believe in, but the democratic
party stands by what I consider the
constitutional right of the States,
while the republican party is drift
ing from it and towards centraliza
tion.”
“No,” he said, in answer to a ques**
tion. “I have no sympathy with the
cry that the republican party wants
to change the form of government,
that is, the masses of the voters do
not. The tendency of the party is
in that direction, however, and the
tendency of the democratic party is
the other way. Therefore, I am a
democrat. I believe that when the
air is cleared of passion and when
this southern question is taken out of
politics we shall have the sympathy
of the north in our political notions.
The people of the north do not hate
us. It is only the men here in con
gress who hate us and they hate us
because they fear that the democratic
party is about, to turn them out of
their places here. We of the south
know that the people of the north are
intelligent and virtuous and honest
and brave, and they know that the
people of the south are equally so.
What makes them distrustful of us is
that they think us rash, and they
think so because of the utterances of
a few’men in congress who permitted
themselves to be dragged into a per-
sonal controversy with men Who de
liberately set traps for them for un
patriotic and partisan purposes.”
TAKE ABUSE CALMLY.
General Gordon contended “that
what the southern members ought to
do was to sit still and not answer any
charges that might be made against
them or any attacks that should be
made against the south. He instan
ced the speech that the late Senator
Morton made on the Louisiana case
as an illustration of the great good
that the southern members of con
gress might do their own section and
the entire country by remaining si
lent under the most hitter provoca
tion. That speech was the bitterest
attack the senator ever made on the
south. It was not filled with bitter
ness, but in it Morton attacked the
States separately and called the sena
tors to answer him if they could.
The character of the speech had been
known to the southern senators long
before it was delivered,and when the
day came they had determined to
make no answer to him. In vain
Morton stormed and called on the
south to defend itself. The southern
senators made no response. They
even refused to answer tiis questions,
and they left him the poor consola
tion of quarreling without an oppo
wi wwi* iii mm
he had never been so badly whipped
in his life, and General Gordon de
clared it to have been overwhelming
to its effect, He would have his
friends in congress maintain this at
titude now. He holds that the only
way to bring about peace and to
bring congress to its proper work of
legislating for the whole country is
to put an end to sectional strife, and
this can only be done by putting an
end to sectional discussion. There
must be two parties to a wrangle and
if the southern members jetflse to an
swer attacks upon themselves and
their States the discussion must very
soon stop. When that is stopped he
thipks the south will reach its true
place in the country and the southern
men will take their rightful position
in the work of the government—not
controlling the government,” Said
he: “No,I would not have that for
a moment, but ahead of the north in
the work of legislating and caring
for the interests of the whole country,
the interests which every section
should have nearest at heart.”
He thinks that now the 6nly effect
of answering the attacks upon the
sooth is to make the people of the
north distrustful of the south. “We
cannot argue* with the north,” he
said, because we permit them to be
blinded by passion, and they see
us in the wrong light, because some
of our friends on fighting the issues
between the sections that are settled.
On this question the north will al
ways be against us, and I see it as
clearly as I see the sunlight coming
through these windows that the only
policy for us to pursue is a policy of
silence, a silent endurance of all the
attacks that partisan malice can make
upon us. When men on the other side
see that they cannot quarrel with us
they will be obliged to cease their at
tacks, and that Will be a gain for the
country ; but, better still, when the
people of the north see that we en
dure all that they can say without
reply, and are only here for the pur
pose of attending to the business of
legislation, they will take us for what
we really are and trust us.”
General Gordon will impress these
views upon the democratic caucus
when it shall meet, and he will have
the support of the best men i of the
party from both sections of the
country. • '**•
WHAT OTHERS THINK OF IT.
[Washington Special to Baltimore Gazetted
In speaking of this sentiment to a
prominent southern senator aud ask
ing his views, the following reply
was received: “Well, that’s my opin
ion. I think the general has spoken
a great deal of common sense. Now,
if he can only restrain his colleague
Mr. Hill, we can manage the rest of
them at this end. There never has
been the same disposition to pitch
fire-brands at this end of the capitol
that you see at the other. The;only
thing to do is simply to act honestly
and sensibly when the time Comes
and call things by their namei tf
south has done Wrong let It be known
1
CARTERSVILLE, GA.. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1879. !
let it be understood and not defended.
If she has done right the country will
find it out soon enough.”
(Philadelphia Times.)
Among the men whom the south
has contributed to the national legis
lature since the armies of the rebel
lion were surrendered, Senator Gor
don, of Georgia, has been conspicuous
without aiming at all at the notoriety
which has been apparently the am
bition of some of his colleagues. He
was a brave soldier of the confedera
cy, carries the marks of union bullets
on his person and surrendered with
Lee at Appomattox, but from the
aay that he sheathed his sword until
now he has striven to earn the esteem
of the whole country by efforts in
behalf of the peace that is based upon
mutual good will, a thorough accep -
tanoe of the results of the war and
the national sentiment, which is the
natural and legitimate outgrowth of
these conditions. While other south
erners in both branches of congress
have been goaded into words and
deeds that have brought their section
under suspicion and provoked re
sentment, General Gordon, in his
several years of service in the senate,
has shown a conservatism and seif
control which, despite his modesty,
have gained him a reputation which
in ipia
The views of such a naan are entL
tleti to more consideration' that at
tends upon the sentiments of many
returning congressmen from the
south. He speaks not for himself
alone, but, we verily believe, for , the
great mass of the southern people in
his dispassionate review of the politi
cal situation and forecast of the com**’
ing struggles between the two par
ties. He is too intelligent not fo un
derstand that his constituents are
misunderstood, not to say misrepre
sented, when they are as a
class for persistent disloyalty* and
too sensible to think that such mis*
apprehenson as exists can be removed
by protestation or declamation, much
less by recrimination in which it
simply human nature for an ag
grieved people to indulge. He re
cognizes the rashness of. many of
those with Whom be is politically
and sectionally affiliated,and realizes
that although this rashness may be a
rashness of words rather than deeds,
it is nevertheless a thing which has
to be cured if the south is to regain
the confidence of the north. To this
end he pleads for the self-control
which is so hard to the best of us un
der wrongs, either real or fancied.
The prescription is a hard one, in
deed, but of its wisdom and efficacy
there can be no doubt. ; If the south
ern states are evei[ to be on the old
terms of amity with their sister
states of the north they must send to
the rear the hot-headed fellows* who
have h6t learned the lesson Of hold-.
ing their tongues. If they are patri
otic they will make the sacrifices as
General Gordon has made it and as a
man like Lee would have made it
had he lived to take part in framing
laws for the government of the coun
try which he sought to destroy. This
position is by no means inconsistent
with the freedom of speech which is
the guaranteed right of every citi
zen of the United States and is par
ticularly the privilege of a member
of congress. If there is an unrecon
structed rebel on the floor of either
house, let him come out and say so
and stand by it* His constituents
and the country will call him to ac
count. But let no man, especially no
southern man, who is truly patriotic,
Who longs to see sectional lines ob
literated and the union of the con
stitution in thorough working order
pnee more, do aught to perpetrate
sectional strife in the pitiful attempt
to pay slanders in their own coin. He
ihatruleth his own spirit is greater
than taketh a city.
(Washington Post.)
Senator Gordon has struck the key
note. It is the polipy of the south
through her representatives in con
gress, to keep quiet and allow the
republican shriekers of the north to
run their malicious course unheeded,
unopposed and unrecognized. >
The democratic fight is on a vital
issue. We are irrevocably commit
ted to a course of opposition } to the
(joetrine of centralization. We be
lieve in following the mandates of
! the constitution. We believe in states
rights as they are laid down and guar
ian teed in that instrument. The ten
| dency of the republican leaders is to
ward the establishment of “strong”
i government. The contest, summed
up, is one between constitutional
states rights in prospective on the
one hand and centralized despotism
on the other.
We have faith that the people of
tifas country still earnestly trust in
the government of the fathers. We
make no distinction between the
masses in the north and in the south.
When it comes to a square test they
will al! be found in firm adherence
to our free institutions, holding no
desire to change or improve upon
them.
But the issue between the two par
ties is not fairly made up before the
country, Inflamed by prejudice, the
people of the north are blind to the
fact that in supporting the republi
can party in the abstract they
are encouraging imperialistic no
tions; in raising a sectional war
cry on the smith they are striking a
blow at the governmental principles
which they are only too anxious to
maintain. . - •
The republican political managers
have so misrepresented the vital
question In controversy ikai the in
telligent voters of the north are
made to see sectional hate and preju
dice where patriotism exists. This
they resent. They strike at the
south, and in duing- so menace the
foundations of the structure they de
sire to preserve.
It has been demonstrated, however,
that now is the proper time to clear
the issue* The republican mind in
the north is in such a state that im
perial consideration is out b£ the ques
tion, Argument is lost upon their
leader ip congress. They are neither
open to conviction nor amenable to
reason. The democrats have stated
their cash fairly. Th‘p result is before
the country* r Why waste.; more
werds2. -j b.i. * sa. n 3 '*:h
The true course for southern demo
crats to pursue in the present congress
is to ignore both the republican al
legations made against them* confi
dently trusting to the good sense of
the country to judge between the as
sailants and the assailed. Let them
take Senator Gordon’s statesmanlike
advice and remain silent. The south
is actuated by honest motives. It has
only the true interests of the country
at heart. Let its representatives
work to the demonstration of that
trhtb, ignoring all things else. The
republicans should be allowed to rant
and roar to their complete satisfac
tion, but let their missiles be directed
at'thin air. . . g
It will not take the country long*
to ; decide which method is better,
which party is more worthy of con
fidence.
Robert Toombs.
[H. H. J., jn Macon Telegraph and Messenger.]
The big brained irrepressible “reb- >
el” still holds his own bravely* 1
though on the verge of three score
years and ten. The labor he per
forms in the courts is most astonish-.
ing in the conduot of the; numerous
railroad cases which have been en*
trusted to his management by the
state. Outside of these he has been
retained also in many private cases,
> one of which will be tried next week
in your city. In a private conver
sation with the General we Were sur
prised to learn what heavy sums had
been collected, through his agency,
'for back arrearges of taxes due the
state by her several railroads. These
■may be summed up as follows:
From the Georgia railroad and
branches, $40,000 f from the Cherokee
and Alabama railroad, $6,000; from
the Atlantic and Gulf road last week,
under the decree of U. S. Justices
Woods and Erksine, $70,000, besides
a claim for $150,000 more, now before
the supreme court, which he is cer
tain will be allowed; from the Cen
tral railroad $40,000, not including
$150,000 and $20,000 interest for
which he is still contending; from
the Atlanta and West Point railroad,
$10,000; from the Air Line road,
SIO,OOO, and about $4,000 from the
Rome railroad, which will be obtain
ed under a recent settlement.
S. A. CUNNINGHAM
For collections, including about
$4,000 uue by the Rome road $179,000 09
Stilmue and ponding in the courts... 320,000 OO
Total $499,000 09
Avery large portion of the uncol
lected sum of $20,000, however,
comes under the head of “penalty,”
or double taxation, and it is not
probable that the state, having re
covered all dues for actual taxes, will
insist on this penalty, the more es
pecially as the railroads contended
that their respeetivecharters exempt
ed them from taxation. Even tho
simple taxes will impose a great
burden upon them, and many think
that nothing more should be enacted.
But the law is inexorable, and unless
relieved by special legislation, we do
not see how they can escape from the
obligation,
GENERAL TOOMBS’ FEES.
As much has been said and written
concerning the enormous fees charge
ed by Mr. Toombs for his services,
we asked him how the matter really
stood. He replied: “In conducting
all the cases of the state, I have re
ceived two retainers of $2,000 each,
and the agreement is that ten per
cent . will be allowed, me for all
amounts covered into the treasury.’ 7
These charges do not appear to be
unusual or excessive, though the
very commission will amount to a
large sum.
TOOMBS’ E,EJKCXIQ2T OE AMKESTY.
The General, in speaking of his
late Chicago dispatch, which he bit*
terly remarked had been made the
text for a thousand insults to him by
the press, gave iho history of his re
fusal to accept the proffered amnesty
of the United States government.
After the house had passed its am
nesty bill, he wrote to Senator Nor
wood, and directed him to “strike
from the roll the ndme of Robert
Toombs, because he had done noth*
ing wrong, and nothing to be sorry
for, and therefore, how could he re
pent?”
Wbefi Senator Morton approached
him alpo, -in ’Washington, and offered
to j have all bis disabilities removed,
hoornfuliy spurred the proposition,
exclaiming,; “No Sir. I f am just as
much as ever a dr—d unreconstructed
rebel.” 1
THE DOMESTIC RELATIONS OF'GEN
ERAL TQOMBS. ; M
Even the most malignant enemy of
this remarkable man has never dar<
ed to utter one breath of slander
against his conjugal fidelity and de?
Votion to the true and gentle wife of
his youth, j
“I married her,” he said, “when
she Was Only seventeen, and I twenty
years of age. She was one of the
most beautiful and noble girls inf
Georgia, and from that day to this
she has been my constant companion,
accompanying me wherever I went;
and always cherished and beloved
above all women.” 1
“fl?he 18th of next November will
be fifty years since our union,” he*
continued, “and we will then cele
brate
OUR GOLDEN WEDDING, 1
But mark you, no guest- shall be
Invited who is not known to be ai
true and loyal husband to the wife
that beam his name.” :
These are noble sentiments and
sheet B halo qf glory over the head of i
this aged and distinguished
man. Here, at least, he is in vainer-;
and such a life of constancy and
purity should cover a multitude of
•BE _____
PENSIONED CONFEDERATES.
What Georgia is Doing for her Maimed 1
Soldiers.
far about six hundred ex-confed
erates have teen paid, according to
legislative, enactment, funds for pro
curing artificial arms and legs, at a 1
cost to the State of $40,000. It is ex
peeted thatit will reach three times
that amount before applications cease.
Provision of a special fund for this
purpose was not made, but it is be
lieved no trouble will ensue from its
payment out of the treasury. It’s a
wonder somebody don’t charge trea
son!.
Physicians reeommend Dr. Bull’s Cough
syrup when all other medicines fail, as a cer
tain cure for Bronchitis, Bore Throat, and
Coughs Dr Colds of long standing. For Sale
by all Druggists.