Newspaper Page Text
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THE
VOLUME IV.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA, 'WEDNE^AY MORNING, AUGUST 2, 1870.
NUMBER 20
From the D1O7 New Kra of Friday.]
KE VOLUTION A UY.
The Friends (f UUUnd MOtr have. a Town
Meeting—-The would-be Senators make
Speeches—7 hey Recognise Iht Organization of
.1868 as Legal, and Consequently Consider- tfW
AcC of Congress as an Usurpation—They
would like Seeds >n the United States Senate,
«#c., etc.
Yesterday band-bills and posters announced
that there would be a Moss Meeting of the
Citizens (“regardless of party” of course) at
the City ILtlL About one hundred aud’
seventy-five or two hundred persons as
sembled, aud were addressed by Mr. Joshua
dill on the subject uppermost in his mind,
aud those who support his ridiculous
claim to a seat in the United States Senate in
virtue of an election by an illegal body
calling itself a Legislature in 1BC8.
The meeting was organized by electing
Judge Ezzard Chairman, and on motion
Committee of nine was appointed to prepare
bnsiness for the meeting.
JJON.*JOSH. HILL’S SPEECH.
While tbo committee was out the crpwd was
entertained by a few scattering remarks from
Mr. Ilill. lie was in favor of an election next
fall. The people wonted -it aud they would
h<k—- :L TEC- ob/oct et thin mooting was to
arouse the public mind, etc. If we didn’t have
Ail election this toll, we wouldn’t have any until
after the 4th of March, 187 . Our Senators
were elected and ready to take their seats, but
we had no Representatives, and consequently
no representation. Mr. Hill told several anec
dotes, raised a cheer or two and modestly re
tired to make room for the
HON. JAMES U DUNNINO,
Who also took high grounds in fifror of an
election. About the only thing of note in his
speech was a small ebullition of profanity, and
that not original, but a plagiarism from “Old
Hickory.” Worming with his theme and the
weather, the Honorable Senator declared,
with tremendous emphasis, that “the people
are entitled to an election, and by the eternal
God they shall have it! ” This cogent argu
ment took amazingly, and the crowd started
a cheer which would have required several
hours to finish had it not been abruptly nipped
in the bud by tho appearance of the
COUttOTEB WITH RESOLUTIONS.
Mr. Holden, the Chairman, read the follow
ing resolutions:
Whereas, The Congress of the United States
did, at its last session, pass an act which was
approved on the 15th instant, wherein it was
declared that the State of Georgia having com
plied with the reconstruction acta, and by n
legal Legislature ratified articles 14 and 15 of
amendments to the Constitution of the United
States, is therefore entitled to representation
in Congress; and
Whereas, The said act contains a-.proviso
to the effect that neither this nor any other
act of Congress shall be so construed as to do-
ny to the people of this State their right to
hold An election according to the Constitu
tion thereof, nor so as to affect the term of
any officer appointed, nor any member of the
Legislators elected under said Constitution,
and
Whereas, There are certain persons now
seeking to pervert the truo meaning and in
tent of wiid act of Congress by endeavoring to
secure the passage of resolutions by tlio Gen-
ernl Asse mbly now in session, to postpone an
election till after the next meeting of Congress,
and to repeal all election laws now existing in
this State; and
Whereas, The attempt thus to deprive the
IH'oplu of Litis State of theirrighls secured by
the aforesaid act of Congress, and the Consti
tution of Georgia, is opposed by the great
moss of the citizens of this State, of all politi-
•cal parties, us a measure contrary nlike to the
truo meaning and intent of the act of Con
gress, aud of the Constitution of the State,
and subversion of the peace and welfare of
the inhabitants of this commonwealth; and
Whereas, The citizens of Atlanta, together
with a large number of visitors from different
parts of the State, regardless of past political
differences, moved by a common peril, have
met together for the puroose of protesting in
the name of Justico, Liberty aud Freo Gov
ernment against any interference by the Gen
eral Assembly with the guaranteed rights of
of the people; bo it, therefore
Resolved, That we strongly reprobate the
course of those members of the General As
sembly, who are soeking the passage of resolu
tions postponing an election beyond the time
prescribed by the Constitution, the effect of
which, is to continue themselves in office iu
defiance of the right of the people.
Resolved, That ignoring past political differ
ences, WE UNITS AH CITIZENS OF GEORGIA, in
order to seonre tho rights of our people in
holding an election on Tuesday, after the 1st
Monday in November next.
Resolved, That we respectfully suggest to
our fellow-citizens in eveiy county in the State,
without regard to past political differences, to
hold at au early day public meetings and give
.expression to their views upon this subject
noN. h. v. m. Mnj.ro
then came forward and addressed the meeting.
The honorable gentleman gave a long and te
dious review of the Reconstruction measures,
•entirely ignoring tho probability that most of
the audience knew fully as much about the
matter as he did. But Dr. Miller grew too
warm for historical statistics and “slashed
about” in overy direction. He was going to
have his rights. [Cries of “bully for you.!”]
He was not to be intimidated. People talked
about a militia preventing the people from
holding an election. He wasn’t afraid of the
militia. He defied the militia, the Federal
army, or any other army! He said something
about traitors and treachery, and several times
pointedly insinuated that hanging was the
proper punishment for tho members of the
- Legislature who atteraptedho cheat tho people
out of an election.
A SENATORIAL JOKE.
The Doctor said that during the war he eat
so much beef that he couldn’t look a Bullock
iu tho face! This elegant sally of Attic wit
was received with a roar. Encouraged by his
success as a jester, he next essayed
A SENATORIAL TUN.
Although a Methodist, he was a firm believer
in the principles of election! Some portions
of the Doctor’s speech very naturally raised a
laugh, and on the outskirts of the crowd might
have been heard occasional cries of “Bully!”
“You bet r and other encouraging manifesta
tions of tbo approval of the masses.
COL. J. E. BRTANT
Came forward and said that ho would speak
but a moment
He was a citizen of “Jaw-jaw,”
He was a.representative oT“Jaw-jaw.”
Ho wanted an election in “Jaw-jaw.”
He would try to do his duty, and he here
evinced his smoerity by stopping his “Jaw-
jaw.”
HON. ONCINNATUS PESTLES,
That impressible, funny man, tickled the
crowd veiy much. He was a huge
We don’t know what ho said—think bo favored
an election—it don’t make much difference,
however.
Gen. Benmng, CoL Lester and Capt Gordon,
then addressed tho meeting veiy briefly.
CoL Lester wanted to know if they would
submit to a postponement of the election.
He wanted them to go homo prepared
to hold au election in November at all
hazards to tho last extremity. There
is not radicalism enough, there is not
treachery enough to force it—the prolonga
tion-upon a brave people if they will do their
duty. He hail lost his right arm in a cause
lie would submit to this outrage ho would lose
the other.
Capt Gordon, speaking of the prolongation,
said: “Yes, let them attempt it and wo will
tear their hearts from them and throw them
os food to the demons of bell!"
After adopting the resolutions the meeting
adjourned.
Let DUronl Cense.
A number of Democratic journals have been
paraded before the General Assembly, as the
exponents of popular opinion on the proposi
tion to have a new revolution this fall. These
papers represent the same party that opposed
Reconstruction in 1866, and from that time
forward, even to the present moment In Oc
tober, 1866, a proposition was made for the
admission of the State upon, the condition of
the ratification of the XIYtb Amendment The
people were willing to do this, and a number
of prominent Democrats in both houses ex
pressed a willingness to accede to tho terms
proposed. But that cUm of journals now
engaged in sowing the seeds of strife
and revolution objected. They denounced
the proposition as “infamous,” and its
Acceptance by Georgians as an “insult” to the
meat whose record in the Rebellion made
them * obnoxious to that Amendment,
Goveruor Jenkins hatfnfti the moral courajJ
to face this revolutionary wave; and he weakly
yielded his better judgment to the senseless
clamor of a faction.
What followed is well known; and in the
spring of 1867, the very men who applauded
the Legislature for the rejection of the terms
proposed, then denounced both it and Gov
ernor Jenkins for not doing the very thing
which, six months previous, was held to be
infamous!” The name faction that opposed
the XIVth Amendment, next opposed the ex
ecution of the Reconstruction Acts known as
the Sherman Bill and Suppliments. .And when
this apposition was overcome at the Ballot, they
thwarted tho completion of the work by an
illegal organization of the Provisional
Legislature brought iuto existence by
it Not satisfied with this, they
even carried Uieir revolutionary schsmes be
yond, and by on inexcusable violation of both
the Acts of Congress and of the State Consti
tution, cxpellod twenty-six members who were
eligible uuderboth, and filled their places
with persons then eligiblo under neither.
Thus the same means that procured the de
feat of Reconstruction in 1866, defeated it
again in 1868. This called into existence tue
Act of Congress of December 1860. How that
Act was sought to be defeated is now well un
derstood; bow its execution was sought to be
thwarted is still fresh in the memory of all.
But they foiled, and the next point of attack
was within the lines. They sought to procure
an Act of Congress that would virtually set
aside tho previous acts of that body, in so
faros this State was concerned. The Bing ham
proviso was instituted for the purpose of set
ting aside, or at least of disabling, the first
legal Legislature organized in the State after
tho war.
The Bingham restriction failed, and now
they would jeopardise the restoration of the
State in December, by setting aside the con
stituted authorities of tho State. This they
seek to accomplish by an act of revolution
veiy similar to that of September, 1868.
Sensible and thoughtful men arobegiuing to
enquire when this thing is to end. They are
getting tired of this senseless wrangle. They
know that both the President and the General
of the Armies have expressed the opinion that
the Legislature organized in January last,
under the provirions of the Act of December,
“is tho first and only legal Legislature
organized in Georgia since the war.” They
know that Congress endorsed this position of
the Administration in the Act of July 15tb,
1870. They know that if the body organized
in January last was the “first legal Legisla
ture organized since the war,” then the body
calling itself the Legislature in virtue of an
organization in 1868, must have been illegal;
and if illegal, then its members did not hold
office in virtue of the State Constitution, be
cause that Constitution was not of iorce until
after July 15th, 1870. They know further
that this State Constitution, which was in
abeyance nntil some fifteen days ago, provides
that the term of the General Assemblymen
shall be two years, and not nearly six
months as practically maintained by the rev
olutionists. Therefore, knowing these things,
and iu full view of the blunders and disasters of
the past, they are not now prepared to follow
these blind leaders of tho blind with nnother
revolution. They would not illegally dis
place men from office and seek party ascen
dancy at the fearful peril of the State. They
well understand how an election before the
admission of our representatives might work
the defeat of the provisions of the Constitu
tion, and how contingencies would arise call
ing for further Congressional action; and in
tjieso facts and possible con
tingencies, they prefer to endnro the
ills now experienced than to plunge into others
they know not of.
The Difference.
Whiitemorc is a great convenience to a stupid
doss of Democratic editors. Whittemore sold
cadetships, and for that was expelled from
the House. Gollady too sold cadetships, but
he resigned his seat in the House to prevent
tho just punishment for his crime. Whitte
more was a Republican, Gollady a Democrat
Tho Republican party do not sustain Whitte
more ; Gollady Is sustained by the Democratic
press. And this distiction, made by the Dem
ocratic press between two men guilty of the
same offense, but of opposite politics, seems
based solely upon partisan grounds. Mr. Whit
temore was unfortunate only in being a Re
publican; Gollady was sufficiently virtuous in
being a Democrat! Whittemore runs for re-
election—his conduct is denounced. Gollady
runs for re-election—his conduct is applauded!
Of aucl\ is the thing called “Democracy!”
Reconciled.
A Tennessee paper announces .the fact that
tho Hon. Robert Toombs and the Hon. Jeffer
son Davis met at Lookout Mountain, on Sun
day last, shook hands, made friends, and con
versed pleasantly together; and this for the
first time since thoir estrangement, originating
during the war.
There are many in Georgia who never at
tached much importance to this personal feud,
originating, we believe, in 1863. There ore
others who may have regretted that, since it
should have existed at all, it did not begin in
1860. There are others who regrot that it was
not healed during the terrible ordeal of 1864.
We are always rejoiced to see enemies recon
ciled. If prompted by no ulterior motires,
the peace-maker is^always “blessed," as ho
deserves to be. If induced by selfish ambi
tion, then we accept the act, and ask no ques
tions as to the motive. Men gain very littio
Andrew Johnson and William G. Brownlow
met and made up publicly in 1861, oiler an
estrangement of fifteen years. It served an
important political purpose at the time. But
it didn't last. It broke out again in t8C5*-*«i Ww*iug smee. If this act k property
is more biifaf *•«!*/ than ever, since it is
generally understood that Johnson stands
waiting for Brownlow’s shoes.
Tl»e State Road.
The Report of the Joint Committee of the
two Houses of the Legislature on the condi
tion and management of the Western and At
lantic Railroad, will bo found in full, else
where. The investigation appears to have
been thorough and searching. No stone was
left unturned by the Committee in their search
for fraud and corruption; and the result, as
set jiwtlf in the Report herewith published,
show* that the hue and cry of tho “Democra
cy,” over the olledged mismanagement of the
Itoafl, was all “fuss and fnry signifying noth
ing-” ^
This Committee, like that appointed to in-
vestigateethe ridiculous charges, preferred
against the State Exxfcutivo, advertised for
charges in addition to those otherwise brought
before them; and they adyertised for specifi
cations and evidence in support of charges in
formally mode through tho public prints.
brought before them, and then personally in
spected the Road and the condition 4f the
Books and Records of the office. Tie result
shows, in this case, as in that of the Governor,
that the partisan cry of fraud and mismanage
ment never had sufficient foundation to. create
a probable cause of suspicion! The adminis
tration of the Road is shown to bo wise and
honest; and its management is acknowledged
to be able and faithful.
Wc presume of course that those Democrat
ic journals that have been so industriously cir
culating reports tending to weaken confidence
in the Manrgcmcnt of tho Road, and so det
rimental to the interests of the State, will have
the fairness to publish tins Report, and there
by afford their readers an opportunity of mak
ing up a verdict.upon the merits of the case.
Will they do it? We shall see.
The Murder EpidrjMir.
Two murders in the space of as many days!
When is this wholesale slaughter to cease?
For three years, this indiscriminate shooting
and stabbing has been unwhipped of justice.
It is now “respectable.” Men commit mur
der upon the Slightest provocation, and coll
this a vindication of “ honor” ! Tho unfortu
nate wretch who shot his victim on the steps
of the Capitol, for “opprobrious words,
wanted to vindicate his “ honor”! Tho youth
who shot his father upon his own threshold,
day before yesterday, did so in “satisfaction’
for “opprobrious words.” His youthful “hon
or” was wounded, and this justified the crime
of parricide!
And now, what do our Courts say ? Shall
the law be enforced ? Is this to be a country
of law and order ? Are we to have guarantees
of personal security? Or is this country to
be degenerated into the government of the
mob, where every man is a Law unto him
self? If the former, then in Heaven’s name
let the law l>e enforced. If the latter, tl:
repeal our tax laws, and dismiss all tho minis
ters of justice. If every man is to be the solo
judge ns well of hi * grievances m of tl
cdy, then why pay taxes to enforce “a rule of
civil conduct, commanding what is right and
prohibiting what is wrong” ?
If this murder epidemic is to ravage our
community unchecked, then whose life is safe ?
If “hanging has played out,” then let the vi
cious and depraved of humanity run wild and
shoot down whomsoever they will! If human
life is so cheap, why spend millions annually
to secure it ? The object of government is se
curity, and when it lolls short of this, it is sim
ply an auxiliary of crime. One or two judi-
the proper execution of this Act to enforce the
rights of the citizens under the Amendmrnt,
was the purpose of Mr. Akcrman’s card, .••.jMc-
graphic synopsis of which we published Tri? jv
_ __ inforcAd
in the Northern States, where
pending, it will result in'greatly increased Re
publican majorities, and will, in all probabili
ty, give us several States heretofore Demo
cratic, as in Kentucky and Delaware for in
stance.
An ex-Presidrnt on the Stump.
^Ex-President Johnson finds congenial em
ployment, this hot weather, in stump-speak
ing. That is Andy’s forte. It comes natural
to him. A bom demagogue, he finds his c. i i ef
enjoyment in public horrangue. For the
higher style of oratory, he entertains a su
preme contempt Indeed, he knows nothing
about it; neither can he appreciate it in others.
But as a sledge-hammer polemic, or a' cross
roads orator* he is powerful He knows some
thing of human nature, especially of tiie
weaker ride of human nature. His addresses
are generally popular with that large class of
humanity who act from more impulse andpSs-
rion. He ignores their judgment but appeals
THE ELECTION QUESTION.
>p!nloit* of Hon. Will lam Lnwrimr, of
- Ohio, mid Hon. .John Ct of
Pennsylvania,
».\ TUE ELECTION ISSUE IN GEORGIA.
The following correspondence explains ita-
sclf:
Bellefokv^in, Onio, July 22, 1870.
To Ron. Fbster Blodgett, Atlanta, Go.—In an
swer to your request of 14th inst, I give
yon my opinion briefly upon the question you
submitted:
I have examined the Constitution *)f Geor
gia, the Ordinances of the Convention, and
tho Acts of Congress affecting the time of
electing members of the' General Assembly
and State officers iu Georgia, and I have dis
cussed in Congress the whole subject of Geor
gia Reconstruction. After a careful consider
ation of tho whole subject, I think it is very
clear that no election can be held this year for
Senators and Representatives in the General
Assembly, and, of course not for State officers.
■When tho Reconstruction Act of March 2,
1867 was passed, it found a Government in
powerfully to their passions and prejudices, He operation in the geographical State of Geor-
understands human depravity also. Ho kno^v ; j gm. That Act made the Government “Provis-
the tortuous windings of a darkened under-1ioual only” This Provisional Government
^Winding, held iu subjection by the b*er
rions.- Hence his omnipotence as a distm^z ed March 11, 1868. Thero has been much
and pilot of the brutish propensities. * ^controversy over the question whether this
Ho recently delivered an address neai j Government was from its commencement
t> v i m w i *Jf I a &<*tc Government and its officers State
Rogersville, East Tennessee. Democrats claim j c ^ cer&
that two thousand of the “wool hat boys” wero I It waa a legal Government because organ-
out to hear him. Ho excited them of couifee. ized in pursuance of the Reconstruction Acts.
He pitched into the Federal Administration,U Its Governor was a l««al Governor, iU Lcgis-
only Andy could, using epithets never before
used in public by an cx-President of theUniiid
States. He supported the partisan Democratic
ticket for the Judiciary of course—a ticlet
that perhaps represents less law and mere
mean whisky han any similar ticket in hi
United States ! “Democracy” got happy
course; and it spent the remainder of tho < \y
in yelling, pitchiug quoits, drinking and fig t-
ing, as aforetime.
provided for after the year 186S and uniil
cessors are elected and qualified.
The Constitution itself. Article 3, Section 2,
provides that the members of the Legislature
shall hold until their successors are
elected and qualified. It seems to me
impossible to assign stny other valid reason
for tho insertion of these provisions by tho
Convention, in the Constitution aud ordi
nances of the State of Georgia, than tho faot
that thoy were carefully guarding against the
continuance of the provisional government of
the State, and providing a remody for tho evils
that might arise by reason thereof.
If the enemies of reconstruction succeeded
in preventing the completion of the work for
two years or more, they shotild not be allowed
to turn out of offico the servants of tho peo
ple before they had been permitted fairly to
enter upon tho discharge of the duties of their
respective offices.
It must be conceded on all hands that tho
chief point of difference on the Geyrgia ques
tion, during the late session of Congress, was
the Bingham amendment! The opponents of
reconstruction, struggled hard to secure tho
adoption of some provision authorizing aud
requiring an election in 1870. Iu this they
failed, and the whole question was left to
Georgia herself.
Believing that the government of the State
for the next two years is in safe and competent
hands, I venture to express the hope that the
situation may be cheerfully accepted by all the
people of Georgia, that law and order may
everywhere prevail, and that the State, again
admitted to representation in both Houses of
Congress, with peace and prosperity through
out her borders, may speedily resume that
high position among the sisterhood of States
to which her greatness entitles her.
Very truly yours, Ac.,
John Cessna.
„ 1 flip
Whereas, The Committee, appointed bv the
General Assembly r.t its last meeting, to in-1 emploj
vestigate the condition of the Western and At- to cxai
lp.ntic Railroad, desires all tho information
Red
that can bo obtained—to this end thcrefo
Opinions upon the Status of Georgia.
We publish this morning an interesting t id
able opinion from Judge Lawrence, of Oqo,
and Hon. Mr. Cessna, of Pennsylvania. M
Judge Lawrence was for many years Jucfea
of the Supreme Court of Ohio, aud is noi| a
member of the XLIth Congress, and
the Reconstruction Committee.
Mr. Cessna is one of the leading meml
of the bar iu Pennsylvania, was for sevel
sessions Speaker of the State House of Re]
sent a lives, and is now a member of the X!
Congress.
• He is one of tho members of the Commit
on Privileges and Elections, and his judgmt
lias in every case been sustained by tho
of the House of Representatives.
We invite tho careful attention of D<
ernts and Republicans to the legal viei
the status of Georgia, ns presented by th^Jb
two able jurists from the East anil West 1 f
The Governor’s paper sent to thb LegfeJi-
turoon yesterday contains tho following: 1L
Ijority,
au.,,;.
yesterday contains tho following:
•‘And, I now learn, from reliable aull|<
that at least one of the parties (tl*
National Bank) to whom the loan was
ha* used tho money for
linn U.H.11 uio UlllllrJ K.T spcvuiavlUti uTTUpua
States bonds. Having purchased bdbdh.it
$1 13J, which can now.only l»o solif for
SI 08, it is very important to tho bank tint
the State’s money should not be called for jit
present; for, to close the speculation now,fit
is said,- would lose the parties $10,000. /pd
hence the great anxiety of the Treasurer iku\
his colleague, that no action should be taicn
by the Gc5ncr.il Assembly to compel tho re
turn of tho money—an anxiety whichi it
seems, is sufficient to induce the Trea«n«f to
disregard the plain instruction.-, of 4mr
honorab’e lridy.”
The above conveys fr.lso impressj^A. CTho.
monc*y was invested in bonds, not as a*sp*fcu-.
. . , . . . , latioiir but in order to secure the bank/antijit
<nal hangings—one or two resolute enforce- ^ KUIU , Unie thal tUo fmlda migUt i K ,f„
znents of law—will stop ti^p* murder epidemic.
Nothing else will.
Tlie French Republicans.
If, in forcing a conflict so - precipitately, Na
poleon was clearly in the wrong, tho arrogance
of King William and his readiness to accept a
challenge which his own conduct provoked,
made him an equal partner in the crime about
to be perpetrated on the borders of tbe Rhine.
It is simply a dynastic war; merely a personal
quarrel between princes; and, like all such
wars, will have to be borne by the men who
really have little or no personal interest in
tho issue.
The spectacle of two powerful nations going
to war, And thus destroying the commerce
and paralyzing the industry of a whole conti
nent, and all too,.for no higher purpose than
the avengement of a personal quarrel between
rival princes, is -truly shocking. And the
their dig.” Moreover, it is childish, and
exhibits a degree of mental imbecility that
.which he conridsi. 1 Roly and just, and be fore | .lly becomes ex-United States Senators.
I
L
readiness to answer to tho “call.” We mr
assured by good authority, that tho mom-iis
now rcaily, and has been so nil the linxx—tin-
stitvt'on.
^W<£are glad t^a^The Constitution h ‘
its position as the defender and nppologisi
tho speculators in the School Fund.
It-assumes that Governor Bnliock’i
“conveys a false impression” in the fi
facts presented by the Governor.
- Is [here any chance for a “folse jropTeriloaff
in the statement that the School money was
used to buy Uuned States bonds at $1 lb]
which are now saleable at only $1 08? Ties
any one dare deny the truth of this state
ment?
Tho idea of the Bank investing tho fundli:
bond to secure itself and be ready for tho “ca|r
is ridiculous. If the Bank is solvent, of coi
it would alienys be ready to repay its de]
tors “on call;” 'foiling in that, it would
fund” now, what is the object of its friends in
saying that it would bo unfair Mid unjust for
the Stato to “ call” for its money now ? it is
because tha Bonk would lose money on the
transaction?
Most men would consider it ojipcculatioi io
borrow money at 3 per cent interest and lend,
it again at 6 per cent in gold, and this
what the Bank did; and but foF- tho w«
the fall in the price of bonds, the specuht
readiness with which the masSses in both conn- I' rom l >u . v TOU ” d n P b y tto Government nui r
tries espouse this personal qnarrel of their I tbo NationeJ Bank Act. If it is ready mil
accidental rulers, is a lamentable commentary I ^IPinS . P*y hack the so-called “ schrcl
upon their fitness for self government
Yet there may bo n Providence in it. The
Norman invasion, the overthrow of the house
of Godwin, the establishment of the Norman
line of kings,-and the institution of the Feudal
Tenures, was tfetr precursor of that higher type
of civilization that made England to tho West
what Egypt had been to the primitive East—
the cradle of the Arts and Sciences. It pre
pared the way for the entrodnetion of the
Christian religion, and was to tho Reforma- wonlJ J»»™ l*** 1 a good one. We regret that
tionof the niitHmth century, what tho con-| il ia IikeI y to result in loss to oar friemk of
quests of Alexander were to the inception of 1110 Atlanta National Bank; and at thcaune
Christianity on the Continent. • I time, congratulate them npon the briliant
All Bepubiics ore boru'of revolution; and j apology of the .speculators’ “ organ!"
the defeat of Napoleon will Be tho signal for 1 ”*
an uprising in Baris in the Interest of the Fr< "“ 11101:11 . ./
cause of lfHS-a cause which LarmarUne I MraDI!E — Eefore «“
somewhere says is still in abeyance; The Em- ^ <W flnt a P on thc mnr<3 ^ F
poror’s success will involve the neutral powers. Malcolm Ckuborn. Monday morning, tod
and that may terminate ultimately in making ^ore the body of that unfortunate man had
France a Eepublic. | Wri laid m his grave, tho community were
Regarded however, from a mere Unman shocked by the report yesterday morning that
ture was a legal Legislature. Tho recent Act
of Congress of July 15th, by whieh the State
is restored to its practical relations in the
Union, so declares and properly so. This
new Government from its organization in 1868
up to the Act of Congress of July 15th, re
storing the State was legal, but it was not a
State Government, its Governor was not the
tho Governor of a Stale. It was not tho same
Provisional Government in operation on and
after March 2, 1868, but it was another and
succeeding Provisional Government—that is
precisely what the law made it.
The Act of Congress of March 2.J18G7, de
clared that “any Civil Governments which
may exist” in Georgia “shall be deemed pro
visional only," “until the people of said State
shall be by law admitted to representation in
the Congress of tho United States.”
The people never were by law admitted to
representation until the act of Congress of
July 15, 1870. The ordinance of the Georgia
Convention of March 10, 1868, under which
the Legislature and State officers were elected,
declares that “all civil officers of tho State are
only provisional nntil tho State is represented
in Congress.”
By the rebellion, the original State govern
ment of Georgia was destroyed. Tho State
ceased to have a State government entitled to
representation in Congress. Having so ceased,
the right could only bo restored by act of Con
gress. It was not so restored until the act of
Congress of July 15, 1870. Until then, Geor
gia could not bo a completely reconstructed,
restored, recognized State. It was not. It
could not, therefore, have a Stale Governor nor
a State Legislature. It could and did have a
provisional Governor and a provisional Legis
lature. Thero could bo no State Governor un
til thero was a State to be Governor
As it is certain, then, that the official term
of Governor Bullock as Governor of a State
commenced with tho act of July 15, 1870, and
that the terms of Senators and Representa
tives in the General Assembly, as State Sena
tors and Representatives, commenced on thc
same date, we are, with these facts in view, en-
l.tdcd to .so(yonder tiic new State Constitution
Ifia "a flu a Ijl^^daUufiDAjPlaw*'
fully bo elected—and that is tho question upon
which you desire my opinion.
The first Senators and Represcntatives’elect-
ed in April 1868 had two ^characters—that of
provisional Senators and Representatives and
that of State Senators and Representatives.
Their provisional state continued to the Act
of July, 15th, 1870. Then the status, as
State Senators and Representatives, com
menced. . ’.a.,.
The State Constitution dtd iiot fix the length
of term of provisional Senators aniHtepresen-
tative3. It could not—that depended on
Congress. It resulted from the Act of March,
J, i8C7, thc Ordinance of .March,,10, 1868,
the iuherent condition of Georgia, and the
structure of our Governments, State and Na
tional.
But your State ’Constitution did fix a term
for State Senators and Representatives in the
General Assembly. It saysr
“The members of tho Senate shall be elect-
odiur.four years,” except, Ac.
No matter when) the first election occurred,
tho term of a Senator, as a State Senator is
four years,except, of course, the Senators elect-
<ed in the’odd numbered districts, and thc term
commences July, 15th, 1870.
- As to Representatives in thc General Assem
bly, tho Constitution says:
“The members of the House of Representa
tives shall be elected for two years."
This relates to the ternvns members of a
State General Assembly, and has no reference
to the term, as members of a Provisional Leg-
istnre.
The terms then of the members of the House
as State Representatives commenced July 15,
1870.
Now when does the next election take place ?
The Constitution answers this question.
“The election for members of the General
Assembly shall begin on Tuesday after the first
Monday in November of every second year.”
That is an election must be held in November
of every second year after July 15, 1870, for
members of the House and for twenty-two
Senators in the odd numbered Districts. By
the Constitution the Governor holds his office
for four years, after July 15, 1870, and until
a successor shall bo chosen and qualified, and
a successor may be elected in November, 1874.
I am aware of the rule of law which makes
the act of July 15, 1870, by the doctrine of
lation, as it is called in the law ’books, relate
bock and validate the ratification by the lawful
•visional Legislature of the Constitional
amendment
But this does not change positive provisions
fixing tho time of future elections.
Respectfully, etc.
‘•THAT ROAD.**
1 Management Pronounced Guiltless of
Fraud’* and Its Ability and Fidelity
standpoint, and judged of only by wjiat is
seen, the conflict seems unfortunate for thc
Republican element in both countries. It
gives precedence to the military power, and
tho rebound will have to come ere the
advocates of free government con bo cither
heard or tolerated. Till then,- the pen of
Rocheforte, which has recently brought him
into new troubles, “is not mightier than the
sword" of an Emperor, supported by the wild
another murder had been committed more
foul and more unnatural thaq that of the pre
ceding day. • Sacy McAfee an old and highly
respected colored man who lives near the
residence of Mr. M. E. Kenny had a conver
sation with his son William who has for seine
time been leading an idle life, he told himjke
would have to go to work, and spoke some
what sharply about his habits when the
family were all sick and he, the old man, the
fever must subside, and then the artillery of
Reason can be brought into play.
Tbe Fall Elections.
enthusiasm of a hredlere multitude. The only one at work The young man took up
an axe and his father asked if ho meant to
strike him with it, ho replied no, and went
into the house and took up a musket and as
his father enteredjtho house ho shot him, ‘the
_ . , . .full charge taking effect;in the old mans
The circular of Attorney General Akerman, . . ~ — J - . _ .
addressed to the United States Mnrshnllft and , r - . . ^ ° ^
r..TVT,„ . Jr? about 5 p. u.,^riien ho died. The unnatural
District Attorneys in States where elections nicidc ^
are pending, is timely and to the point In , ,
some portions of Pennsylvania and Ohio, no Paying Up.
less than, in Kentucky and California, as well The bill to protect the school fund and to
os in other Northern and Western States where | withdraw tho loans made by the Treasurer at
elections are pending, the Democracy have 3 per cent, passed the Senate yesterday by
by printing or by “a continuous standing upon evinced a purpose to practically disregard the the decisive vote of 29 to 7. We understand
XYth Amendment Tho Enforcing Act be- thatthcTrv abater ishow performing his duties
came a necessity in view of this threatened and paying tho just claims against tho Treas-
putpose to set the Amendment at defiance; aud | ury. , "
Its
“Fraud’* and Its Ability and Fidelity
Acknowledged.
Report of tbe Committee of Investigation
on tbe Condition and Ntngeament of
tbe State Road.
The Joint Committee raised by the Legisla
ture of 1870 to investigate generally the
management, financial condition, etc., etc.,
of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, beg
leave to make the following
bepobt:
On the 5th of May last your Committee
met at the Capitol building, Hon. Walter
Brock, Chairman, presiding, aud proceeded
to organize for bnsiness by tho election of D.
P. Hill, of the county of Fulton, Clerk, who
ent^ed at once npon the discharge of his
duties.
Tho Clerk was instructed to analyze the
4th resolution of the General Assembly crea
ting this Oommittee, numbering each subject
embraced in the same, and have it printed for
tbe use of the Committee.
After agreeing upon plan of operations, and
making suitable arrangements for permanent
meeting, etc., tho Committee adjourned to
meet iu the depot building of Western and
Atlantic Railroad, on the 16th of May, at
which time they met and the Clerk submitted
tbo following analyzed report of the resolu
tion, which was adopted as a general plan to
be pursued by the Committee in its investiga
tion.
Fourth resolution of the Georgia Legisla
ture, analyzed for the use of the Joint Com
mittee on the Western and Atlantic Railroad:
Resolved, 4th, That a Joint Committee of
three from the Senate aud five from the House
be appointed, whose duty it shall be to make
a full and thorough examination into tbe con
dition and management of the finances of tho
Western and Atlantic Railroad since the time
said road was placed under the supervision of
the present Superintendent; also, at the time
said road was placed under his control; and,
also, os to the general management of said
road; and especially said Committee bo di
rected to inquire—
1. What has been the entire earnings and
receipts of said road ?
2. What has been tho necessary working
primes of said road f — 7 ’
3. What has been the actual working
ponses of said road ?
4. What disposition Las been mado of thc
profits of said road ?
5. What contracts have been mado for
material and supplies for said road, outside
of the State of Georgia?
6. With whom were such contracts mado ?
7. By whom made? ^
8. Who were interested in tlioso contracts ?
9. With whose approval were they made?
10. Were any discounts mode upon the
purchases so made ?
11. Who were interested iu said discounts?
12. How are cross-ties, wood, and other
railroad material procured in the State of
Georgia?
13. What prices are paid ?
14. ‘What employees or officers arc
tcrested in procuring such material and sup
plies?
15. Whether any officers or employees of
the road are interested in eating houses where
the road employees are fed ?
16. Are any officers or employees of the
road interested in warehouses in which goods
shipped over the road arc or have been
stored?
17. What officers,, if any, or employees of
tho road are interested iu brick-yards where
brick are manufactured by parties not con
nected with the road?
18. Has any property of tho. road been
token by officers or employees of tho road and
appropriated to their own use?
19. Have any officers or employees of the
road received or collected any of the earnings
of the road or money on account thereof and
failed to pay the same over to the Treasurer
of the road, or paid the same to other persons
than tho Treasurer?
20. What quantity of goods have been lost
of those received or shipped by the road, and
how these losses happened ?
21. Were any officers or employees interest
ed in or benefitted by said losses ?
22. To what extent have over-charges been
made for freight?
23. How are these over-charges made, and
are any officers or employees of the road in
terested or benefitted by the same ?
24. What number of persons were in the
employment of the road during the year 1869?
25. What number during each month ?
26. WhaX number since the first of January,
1870?
27. Are there any persons in tho employ of
the road and receive pay whosqjuuoiesno- nof
appear on the regular pay-roll^of the road ?
28. How many and what persons have been
Resolved, That if any person knows of any
fraud, or mismanagement having been com*
mittedby the Superintendent of said road, or
by-any of tho employees thereof, all such per
sons are requested to make out such charges
in wilting, giving the name or names of per
sons by whom such frauds or mismanage-
ment was committed, i>nd shall give the names
of witnesses by whom ’SVch charges can be
be proven, and the residence of the witness,
and all such persons arc required to sign their
name or names to tho paper that contains such
charges. .
Resolved, That this. Committee will hear nil
charges mado in conformity with the forego-
ing resolution. &
Resolved, further, That those resolutions bo
published in the Atlanta daily papers,-with a
request that papers throughout tho State, de-
sirens of a foil investigation, copy.
Your Committee having examined a large
number of Witnesses, including the principal
officers of the rood, present to yon their sworn
testimony accompanying this rgpojh We aid
not confine ourselves exclusively to tSo'thirtw-
four interrogatories heretofore mentioned; but
carefully and thoroughly examined tho wit
nesses in regard to the past andfRBbt eondi-
tion of ,the road; its managenfent, past and
present as well as the condition o*f the rolling
stock, motive-power, &e.
It will bo perceived, by tbo testimony, sub
mitted, that we proceeded over tiiejfiftd anti
examined it thoroughly, as well as the*A:
cies at the different stations along tho lira
tho road. .
The report of the Master of Transportation
and Supervisor os to the gross-earnings and
receipts of the road, from the 1st of January
to the 31st of March, 1870, aud the necessary
and actual expenses of the road, for the same
period, is ample and satisfactory; it exhibits
not only tho amount of income for thc period
mentioned, but also, the purposes to which it
has been applied. -
The gross earnings of the road for
January, February and March,
mi 1870 - $437,90*2 05
The necessary and actual expenses
of tho road for tho same time.. 350,175 45
Net earnings $87,72G CO
This amount has been accounted for ns fol
lows:
In hands of Treasurer of road.. .$ 3,713 72
Paid on account of former admin
istration 39,012 88
Paid State Treasurer 45,000 00
From a subsequent report made by the
Master of Transportation and Supervisor, we
became satisfied that while the local way
freight pays handsomely, the through freight
business does not pay, it being controlled by
*Wit. Lawbence.
Bedfobd, Pa., July 22, 1870.
Hon. Foster Blodgett, Atlanta, Go.—Dead
Sib: I observe that certain Democratic news
papers claim that an election for members of
the Legislature by the State of Georgia must
be held in November, 1870. So far as this
claim is founded upon the legislation of Con
gress, it is in my opinion entirely groundless.
It is true, that at one time, the lower House,
by the passage of the Bingham amendment,
would seem to have expressed a desire to
limit the term of the present officers of Geor
gia. It is also true that this amendment
caused a protracted debate and delay of action
in tho Senate. But it is equally true, that
when the bill returned to the House, amend
ments were offered to both the Senate and
House bills, carefully avoiding any inter
ference by Congress with the Legislature, the
laws, or the Constitution of Georgia.
Pending the consideration of these amend
ments, the Bingham amendment was again
offered by Gen. Farnsworth. This was itself
amended on motion of Mr. Dickey of
Pennsylvania, by striking therefrom every
thing which required an election in 1870.
Tho Committee of Conference not only ex
cluded these words, but added in express
terms, that; nothing in this, or any other act
of Congress, should in any way affect the ten
ure of office in said State. It will hardly be
denied that the officers and governments of
the several States lately in rebellion, were
merely provisional prior to their representa
tion in Congress. The ordinance passed by
the Convention of Georgia, March ID, 1868,
expressly declares that “all civil officers of the
State are only provisional until this State is
represented in Congress.”
The election of 1868, was held in pursuance
of this ordinance, and under the directions of
the Major General Commanding. Tho same
ordinance provided that the persons elected
should enter upon the discharge of their duties
when authorized so to do by act of Congress,
or by order of the General Commanding, and
continue in office until the regular succession
3 pleased to
afld thin
the Green Line. This Green Line is tho
name adopted for convenience of a system of
through freights, entered into some years ago
by connecting roads, by which freights are
carried from one distant point to another
without breaking bulk or transferring on in
termediate roads, each road putting in its
quota of cars, aud sharing in freights pro
rata. In view of a meeting to be held by the
officers of the different connecting roads com
posing the Green Line, we deemed it but
right to recommend that thc officers repre
senting the Western and. Atlantic Railroad,
should demand an increase of 25 per cent
upon tho freight tariff of tho road, which we
are happy to report was agreed to. Tho
freight bnsiness of the road during tho busy
months averages over one hundred thousand
dollars per month. It will be perceived that
this increase of 25 per cent on Green Line
business will produce a handsomo income to
the State. Treasury.
The advertisements inviting “all or auy one
knowing of any fraud or mismanagement on
the part of tho officials of the Western and
Atlantic Railroad” to appear before this com
mittee, had the effect of bringing to our no-
h time and labor;
ay that Mr. Blake,
performed this labor, and is now acting
as.principal book-keeper, has shown himself
fully competent, and quite an efficient officer.
The reporta of Mr. A. L. Harris, and tho
book-keeper, published with this report, have
engaged the careful attention and earnest con
sideration of your committee, and after com
paring the same with the books, wo arc con
strained to say these reports speak tho truth,
and are highly satisfactory as to tho snbjectH
embraced therein. ‘
Your committee aro gratified in reporting
that no charges of fraud, corruption, or mis
management have been sustained against the
officers and employes of tho. Western and
Atlantic Railroad, "it did appear, however, to
yonr committee, that at one timo an unneces
sarily Jarge force was employed in the Car
Factory, -but the testimony shows that the
force was reduced bo soon as the Superintend
ent discovered the fact
There was purchased during thc former ad- ’
ministration two steamboats, tbo Mary Byrd
and Resaca, and while we do not censure tho
purchase of said boats, yet we believe tl»e^_
transaction was an error occurring from an
over-zeal for tho interests of the State, and has
proved disastrous. Therefore, we recommend
that said boats be sold to the best advantage
and the money paid into the Treasury.
While we regret that no money is being paid
monthly into thc Treasury from the earnings
of tho road, your committee ore satisfied that ’
the earnings are being applied to the perma
nent improvement of tho track, road bed, and
motive power; and wo cheerfully commeuil
the present management of tho Western aud
Atlantic Railroad.
Your committeee has examined the road, it
shops, depots, engines, cjirs, and immense
paraphernalia connected with (he same, with
deep interest, us a hue and cry has been set
up all over the country as to the management
of the same. Numerous witnesses, summoned
from all parts of the country, friends and foes
to tho administration, have been before u.sr,—
and we earnestly invite you to read their tes
timony before forming an opinion. Do this,
and we believe you will say, with us, the tes
timony discloses no fraud or corruption in the
management of tho road. Some may say we
did not have the right witness before us. Wc
respectfully point such to our published notice,
courting charges and information, and ask,
why, sir, did you not come before the commit
tee and give the information as requested. If
there be any such, who, after this fair oppor
tunity given to show corruption, has withheld
the same, he deserves the contempt of every
tax-payer ia Georgia, and should hide his head
in slmmo for concealing facts which would
have been for the good of the people.
If this road is properly managed, and suita
ble feeders are constructed, which necessity
requires, the people of Georgia will, at no dis
tant day, honor the names of those men who
had the wisdom«to project, and the energy to
build, a road which private enterprise was too
feeble or cautious to undertake. Let the
Legislature continue to foster and reconstruct
this road, literally ruined by the disasters of
the recent war, and the earnings will, at no
distant day, so far meet the demands of the
State that the tax-payers of proud old Georgia
will hardly feel the burthens of Government.
Rospcctfully submitted.
Walter Bbock, Chairman,
J. M. Colman,
Senate Committee.
A. H. Lee,
1L M. Parks,
Ephraim Tweedy,
J. A. Maxwell,
House Committee.
Attest:
D. I*. Hili.„ Clerk.
road, whieE/after full, fairiand impartial
vestigation, was not sustained by facts, and
we aro constrained to say in the language of
one of the witnesses in tho case, “that it
should never have boen brought before the
Committee,” ns “it was a family matter,
entirely outside of tho business of this Com
mittee.”
The question of supply of cars by tbo West
ern and Atlantic Railroad for the accommoda
tion of the coal business, was found to be one
of great interest to the road. Upon examina
tion of the rolling stock, wo aro satisfied the
road has now a sufficient supply of cars to
meet all reasonable demands of thc coal trade,
and, in our opinion, there will be no cause for
complaint in tho future on this account.
We found in the course of our investigation
that a large amount of thc earnings of the road
has for years been absorbed in fees paid to
lawyers. A comparative statement of tbe
amounts paid by tho several administrations
demonstrates tho fact that some measure
should bo adopted which would result in a
more economical defenso of the road in suits
at law. We recommend tho repeal of .all spe
cial laws for tho recovery of damages against
railroad for stock killed by their trains, leav
ing them subject to the same principle that
governs the rights of other parties.
Your committee after a personal examina
tion of the line of road, shops, etc., beg leave
to report, that a largo portion of the rails now
in use on the line of road are old and worn out,
the replacement of which with new rails is ab
solutely necessary; and the machine shops of
the road being entirely constructed of wood,
which renders them unsafe, and there now
being in them machinery worth more than
two hundred thousand dollars, which is all
subject to be destroyed at any moment; and
the fact having been mado satisfactory to the
minds of this committeo that a great portion
of tho road requires ballasting. And your
committeo having noticed in passing over the
road, the frequent, and in many cases*, un
necessary curves, would recommend that
wherever it can be done without incurring too
heavy expense, the curves bo straightened.
We aro of the opinion that the saving of ma
chinery, time, and keeping up the numerous
and lengthy curves, and the saving of iron
and cross-ties, would, within a short time, re
pay the expense of straightening the ordinary
curves, where there are no gulches to fill, or
mountains to grade. We notice that the
bridges on the line of road are fast decaying,
t and will soon have to be replaced, when we
recommend that they all be covered with tin,
well painted, and where the grade is not suffi-
Undcr the original fourth resolution passed ^
by the Legislature creating this committee,
the following members of tho General Assem-
put in pay of tho road since the 18th of Feb- cienfc to allow the train to pass on top of the
ruaiy, 1870. covering, that the framing of the bridges be
29. What services have been rendered by of sufficient height to allow train hands to
said persons? pase through the bridge on top of the cars
30. What number of persons have been eiil- without endangering their lives, and that the
ployed by said road, in fact or ostensibly, to
hunt up lost cars?
31. How mony lost cars have been found,
and what has been the cost of finding them ?
32. c What amounts have been paid for print
ing purposes?
33. What amounts have been loaned, or al
lowed to be, and by what officers or employees
of the road, for other than railroad purposes ?
34. Whe t officers of the road who, by law.
are required to give bond and security for the
proper discharge of their duties, have failed to
execute tho bonds with the security required
by law?
‘Tho Committee is authorized to employ a
Clerk, administer oaths, send for persons and
papers, and required to render a full and com
plete report to the General Assembly at its
meeting in July next
In order that the dublic might have a fair
and ample opportunity of ventilating the af
fairs of the road and bringing such matters os
were reprehensible .to the notice of tho Legis
lature, your Committee adopted the following
resolution:
Atlanta, May 17, 1870.
The Committee appointed by tho ‘Legisla
ture to investigate the financial condition,
management, Ac., of the Western and Atlantic
Railroad, ore now holding doily sessions from
9 o'clock a. al, until 1 o’clock, r. al, at tho
depot building of said road, where the Com
mittee can be found by parties, or their conn-1
sel, having business with the same.
bridges bo built on thc most modem style,
with iron angle blocks, etc. Therefore, your
committee recommend that an appropriation
of money be raised by tho issuance of State 7
per cent, coupon bonds maturing twenty
years hence, for thc purpose of mailing the
improvement above indicated. This would
place the road in first-class condition, after
which there would be no reason why a hand
some income should not be paid into thc
State Treasury monthly.
We are pleased to see the authorities of the
road have accumulated and paid for a very
large quantity of wood on the line of road,
which'will afford, during the busy months
rapidly approaching, a sufficient supply of
well seasoned wood for the engines to last for
many months, thus superceding any outlay on
this account lor a considerable length of time.
The authorities have commenced to ballast
the road, and we recommend that it be con
tinued until the road bed that needs it be
ballasted; and from testimony adduced before
us, we aro of opinion that the interest of the
road and the State would authorize and justify
the proper officer to let out the preparing* of
tho ballast, by contract, to tbe lowest bidder,
no stone to be too large to pass through a 21
inch ring.
Our attention was attracted to the manner
which the financial statement of the con
dition of the Western and Atlantic Railroad
has heretofore been mado out, and although it
o fa the system that has been pursued for many
Papers willing to do so are requested to pub- years, still it. was so complicated that we
lish this notice. looked upon the same with suspicion, and
Walter j recommend tho book-keeper, that hereafter
Ghairru’a Committee. I tho financial statements of the condition of
Which resolution has stood in the Atlanta the road be made under separate columns of
daily papers until the adjournment of the Dr. and Cr., so-that a wayfaring committee-
Committce. j man may easily understand the same.
The following resolution was also publish-1 Your committee bad some difficulty in un-
ed in the daily papers of Atlanta, with a like derstanding the books of the principal book-
request to copy, for tho information of the keeper, he having left the road about the 15th
public : * of April without posting his books beyond
Walter Brock, 38thDistrict;
in,;4th*'D»trict;~IIo& B. G.—
Wootten,11th District
House.—Hon. A. H. Lee, Newton county;
Hon. R. M. Parks, Gwinnett county; Hon. J.
A, Maxwell, Henry county; Hon. R. W. Phil
lips, Echols county; Hon. Ephraim Tweedy,
Rich moil a county.
We regret that on account of continued sick
ness in the family of the Hon. B. C. Wootten,
he was unable to be with us at all during onr
investigations. Also, that the Hon. If. W.
Phillips, the day previous to making up our
report, obtained leave of absence on account
of urgent business, consequently was not pres
ent when the same was adopted.
Signed, Walter Brock, Chairman.
Attest:
D. P. niLL, Clerk.
War npon 1a Technicality*
For forty years thc Spanish power has been
steadily waning. In the loss of her American
provinces, slio • entered fully upon her down
ward slopes to ruin. Her first war with Mex
ico was a criminal blunder from which she
never recovered; and to-day she stands among
the family of nations a decayed, enfeebled,
tottering, representative of a Monarchy with-*
out a monarch, a nation without a visible
head—a reproach to civilization, and a bone
of contention affording a pretext for a war In
volving two-thirds of Europe.
Seeking an incumbent for a vacant throne,
she affords Napoleon HI. an occasion for a
war which he has long desired. A war with
Prussia is a war for the Napoleonic dynasty.
It is a safety valve for the escapement of those
pent-up fires of discord and revolution which
made the Tuilleriea hideous with crime in *48,
and improvised the FlebiscUum in ’70. Hence
he was prompt to exact of Prussia aq explicit,
punctilious disavowal of an “intention” to
dictate to France in thc selection of a monarch
for poor old Spain. He carries his punctilio
further; he exacts a promise to break up the
candidacy of Leopold and to prevent that per
son from ascending tho throne of Spain in any
event The election of Leopold by Cortez
was an extraneous, immaterial probability;
thc point was, the disavowal by Prussia of an
“intention”; the giving of a promise to inter
pose in case of such an election. Even this
would not have satisfied Napoleon had it been
promptly complied with. He wanted an apol
ogy from Prussia for having permitted this,
thing to go as far as it had, and he wanted se
curity for tho future, by engaging to put a slop
to it with all her authority.
Of course Prussia would demur; and no 0110
knew this better than did the “nephew of bis
uncle,” whose prime incentive is found be
tween a war and a dynasty. Prussia may in
deed explain, as she has already done, that •
she has had nothing to do with this Leopold-
Spanish business from tho first. The candi
dacy is none of her business, she says, but
says so hypocritically, quoth Napoleon.^ “I
moke no pledges for the future,” quoth Bis-
mark. “Then fight,” -responds Napolecn.
Thus the fight begins. It may save the Napo
leonic dynasty; it may perpetuate thc military
surveilanco of Prussia; but it will crush the
hopes of Republicans iu both countries—at
least, for the present
Legal*
Tho Knoxville, Tennessee, bar is excited
over an election pending for Circuit Judge.
Geo. Brown and E. T. Hall are the candidates,
the first a Johnson Democrat, the second u
Republican. Both are lawyers of. respectable
ability. Thc election takes place the Cist
Thursday in August The election of Judges
by the people originated in that State, wc be
lieve, wilh Andrew Johnson, in his celebrated.
Jacob’s Ladder inaugural Address in 1853.
Tlic Christian Church.
Services at this church will bo resumed in
this chnreh to-night at tho usual hour. Elder
Thomas M. Harris will conduct thc services, •
Boveral baptisms will tako place.