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THE IIAYVSON WEEKLY JOURNAL
RV s. K. WESTON-
n ul jso!i Jouuvjl,
KBLIBUKD KVIIRY TIWIISDAT.
-Strlcllfj irt Advance.
TE ,tu . ft 75
Three j 2 5
git months a 00
0„ .
ADVERTISING RATES :
ONE MONTH. ;
| TWO MONTHS i
r '
| Til RBI lI'TUS
J
I
| SIX MONTHS.
J
I
| ONI TEAS.
I
No.
fQO** 3
f S 00 S~S 00 $ 7 00 *l2 5(1 S2O 00
7 00 10 00 12 00 20 00 30 00
—' <JOO 12 00 16 00 26 00 40 00
roi'R- J u
10 00 18 00 25 00j 40 00 60 00
p- )L " 15 oo .6 00 35 OOJ 60 00 110 00
[7"j 25 on 40 00 60 00 110 00,200 00
ifTYlutrlintf') T " 11110 al
TO ‘l' l - . j U '.M In'S'. HMJtT-
T.nluog coasid.
‘‘i'lrerliiemeiO' inru J « iuUrvJ* to be
l ..a nvw e;U>h ioicriion.
# Ao.lditio.i debar*' of 10 per rent will
J mit ou advertisement* ordered to be m
••rted on » p.rtioul ir page-
AlrerUJunent* under the head of Spe
will be inserted for 15 cents
Mr L for the first in-ertion, and 10 cents
„r lioe'for each aufaequent iM-r.ion.
P AdrertUoments in the “ t.ocal Column *
•illbe inserted at 20 cents per lme for the
first, and 15 cent"* per hue for each subse
quent insertion.
q 111 communications or letters on business
intended for this office should be addressed
to “ Tut Dawsjn Journal”
RAIL -ROAD GUIDE.
ioulliwestern Railroad I»a*~
icnjicr Trains.
fiU. HOLT, Pres. | VIItGIL POWER. Sop
1,.,re 8:00 A - M -
Arrive el EufauU 680 M
A,rive at Mac* ii P M
Connecting wi h Al'ianv branch tram .
ijmhvi Is, and with Fart Gaines branch tram
itOhb*'-
mraOU MSEIT AND AUCIMMODATI-N train*
Leave J/acutl B*as 8 * as r M
A riv « Eufula 1 It'*" A M
Kn'.ifa 7:18 r. m.
Arr»e ajficon »:lo a. m.
Cunirct at Suit iv lie with ‘.l anv tr ain on
j/relay, Tuesday, Thursday "nd F'idav
lijnis. .No train leaves on St urdiv nights.
CW.UNB3S 1-aSSENOKB TKAINS
Lnv« d/a 7:26 a v.
A rice it C'ol'i'”bus 1:22 P ».
heave Columbus 12:2.>P M
Arrive at M icon fi:l, s P- M.
COLUMBUS NIGHT PASSKNGKR TRAIN
Leave Baeon 7:40 p. x.
Arrive at Columbus 5:05 a. u
Leave Columbus 7:00 p M
Arrive at J/ieou 4:43 A. M.
Macon ami Brunswick Passen
ger Trains.
CEO. W UAZELU'.’RSr, President.
L-ave Macon 9:15 a. m
Arrive a- Brun.wick 10:2o p m.
L-'ave Brunswick --4*30 A’ M.
A riveatM con 7:50 P. M.
TRAINS 10 HAWKISSVXLLK
L-aves M.eon 8:00 P. u
Anive at Hawkineville 6:30 r Si
Lrave ii iwkinsviile 7:*iO A u
Ar-ive at Macon 6:15 A. u.
This train iuus daily, Sundays excepted.
Western &. Atlantic Railroad.
FOSTER BLODGETT, Sup’t.
NIGHT VASSENOEK TRAIN
Une Atlanta 7 00 P II
Arrive at Chattanooga 8.80 A M
Leave Chattanooga 7 50 P. M
Arrive at Atlanta -. .4 14 A. M
pay passenger train.
Leave Atlanta 8.15 A. M
Arrive at Chattanooga 4.20 P. V
Leive Chattanooga 7.10 A. \1
Arrive al Atlanta 3.17 P. M
DALTON ACCOM END ATI ON.
Leave Atlanta 3.10 P M
Arrive at Daltou 11 85 P. M
1-eive Dalton 2.00 A. M
At''-. •• All.nl. 1 1 00 A V
sWfesHtoWtl ©avdsi,
. It. F - SIMMONS.
attorney at law,
c../.
Prompt atton tion given to all
intrusted to bis care.
augft 9;tf
C. B. WnATES, L C HOYLE
WOOTEN & HOYLE,
Attorneys at Law,
T IKIU'SOJT .I .1
J»0 6-1 y,
c. W. WARWICK,
Att y at Law and Solicitor in Equity,
smraviLLß, ga.
' n Wrotprn and Patau
a - Lolleclions promptly remitted.
K ‘ J- WARREN,
attorney at law,
. . . fcj,
*!ftSf2 R S or YOUTH
fmrt ’ >r,,d for rears iiom
to* fSfcct* nt ,^ r * n, *"'re Decay, and all
to* sake of „ ,V w l,ul '“discretion, will, lor
*" *ho need t t ’. nnK hiitßanitv, «end free to
®akin» the V' P "‘ ce 'P t »“d directions for
*Wf(J. Suff l> feraedy bv which he WBH
Tes t'»er’a „ >r . B w,3h '“f? to prof tbv the ad
-1,0 80 by ,ddre
unt3 iw i OH NB. OGDEN,
No, 42 Cedar reet, stN.Y
Dawson Business Directory,
Dry Good* .Hercliaat*.
pRHi * TUCKER, Dealers in all
VJkiuds of Dry Goods aud Groceues. Main
Street.
KL JACOB, Dealer ip all
kinda of Dry (luod-, Maui street.
[ OVUISS At GRirrn, Dealers
A 0 in blaplu Dr y (mn,ln anil (trneeries hlmo
and Commission Merchants, M\\n Street,
MtKE44EY a crouch,
LTenderN in l>rv Goods, Clo'hing, Staple
Goods and Firuily Groceries, J/iin street.
OKR, W. C. Dealer In Fancy and sfa ■
tile Drv Goods, Mam st., under “Jour
nal” Printing Office.
Grocery .TTcrciitint*.
C'CLTONf, J. A., 'Warehouse and
i Commis-ion Merchant, and Dealci in Ilu
con, Flour, Meal and Provisions generally, at
'hemp & Brown’s old s' md, M tin st.
PIRVtMI. MIARPE A CO..
I D alers in D-y Goods, Groceries, and
Plan aiion Supplies,
pRRRit A sm.TlO\ hk, Grocery
* E and .Provision Dealers, South side Puli
l'c Squ ire.
ROOD, B. (1., Dealer in Groceries and
. F>mllv aunpl'es generally, 2nd door to
Journal” Office, Main s'.
iiniStitili.
/ 511 it.4TH A , C 4., Druggist and
Plivsician. Keepv a good supply of
Drugs and Medicines, and prescrihea for all
the ill. that flesh is heirto. At his old stand,
the Red Dmg Store, Main st
J4HES A COY I, CSS, Dealers in
Drugs, l/edicines, O.ls, Paints, Dye
S'uft's, Garden Seed, &e., &c.
BAKERY.
rfs. 501.0110.4, Baker, Confeo
• tinner, and dealer in Family Groceries
Fi-h and Ovsters, Jfain Street, next to J. W.
Roberts A Cos.
i» Ii aSxc.SatST
nOttVD'T YV. H. Practicing Phv
sician. mid B>irgeon. OfScc at Cheat
haul’s Lh ug Store.
Dll hi. J. 4V. PillCß & 804,
ihankftiT for past patronage bv close
attention and moderate charges hone to re.
reive a continual,ce of the simp. Ofli.:e, Dr.
Gilpin’s old s'nrid jin 13, if.
ILildi IC<-|>;isrer.
VCLCY, JOII4 P., will .epair
tVa'chcs. (’locks, Jewelry, AYiisic Books,
Aceo dions, &c . always to he found at his
old stand, on North eide of Public Square.
Eivcry Stables.
17A84T11, A SB tRi'E. Sale
1 and Feed St b!e. Il vr-og u nd J/nl s
for sa'e. Horses boarded. North side Pub
lic Square.
IJKI4CC, 4. G. A .». K.. Sale.
Feed and Lirerv Stable, Depot N ret t
Good horses and vehicles foi hire on reason
able terms. April 14, ly.
ISAIIInVoU.
1) \T 44 r ARD, Dealer in Fine Wines,
Brandies, Whiskies, Lager Beer, &c ,
West side public Square, Main street.
BROWN HOUSE.
E. E. BROWN & 804,
Fourth St., Opposite Dtp< t
+?lacon, Georgia*
'I'MIIS Uouse hiving liiel' been re6t*eri
1 und repairt and, and now one of the best
Hotels in the State, and the most conve
nient in the city. The table is supplied with
everything the market affords. leblß’69
LYO.Y, I)(GIMITK.ViEI» & IRVIX,
jinoijn? m la
*llacon, - Georgia .
WILL give attention to Professional litis -
ness iu the Macon, South.western, and
Paiau!.i Circuits; in the U S Courts, in Sa
vannah and Atlanta; and by Special Con
tract in anv cart of the State.
Sept, 23, '69 ; ly.
PLANTATION FOR SALE,
I ant oflTerinp for sale a plantation near
Whaley’s J/i!l», in Terrell eonntv, nine
mde- Noriliwest of Uiwson, enn'ainiiig S x
H ill,Led acres of Oik and Uickorv land;
Ron acres cleared, with good improvements,
Gi" House and Screw, &c..,
Fur particulars as ro terms and price, call
»i, the subscriber in D iwson.
June 16,'f. WTI. KAIGLLR.
VALUABLE PLANTATION
W®i? S®le I
\\J E are offering for sale Four Hundred
V f Acres of Lind, lying three miles I
South of Dawson, on Chickisawhatchie j
creek. One liundr, and acres Iresh cleared land, |
with comlortable dwelling and out houses
good cribs and stable. Young orchard of
live acres This i“ a desirable place, and j
tfo e wishing to purchase land near Dawson
will do well to examine ours before purcha
sing. Water in every field. Come and see ,
the growing crop. JO2?L HARRELL, j
July 14-3 m. J. B. F. HaRKELL. j
WE ARE RECATPTN T G LARGE LOTS
of Corn, and Country Produce.
W. L. CLAY & CO.,
WHOLESALE
LIQUOR DEALERS,
AND
COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
No. 1, Granite Block, Broad Street,
ATLANTA, CA.
e keep on hand Olay’s Old Kentucky Wbis-
Wv and solicit orders and consignments.
kch24-6m. W. L. C. A. CO.
Dawson, ga.. thubsdai. august n, is?o
ORICINAL POETRY-
For the £)awaon Journal.
Eiuds to “Snc-Zan.”
BY ASA CLUBS.
Oh ! .Yue-x-nn yu ar a whale,
Yore fame whall never die :
Fur the way y j went fur that He-male,
Who wears them ar “shoo fly-”
You’ve gouged his eyes an slapped his jaw,
And knocked his ‘‘Stove-pipe” in ;
Dut ull is fare in luv ur war,
So go in Suze und win.
Let people thkik jest what tha may—
Y’u lush him till he swoons ;
An soon you’ll make him, 1 dare suy,
Wear bigger Trow saloons--
-Jn give the nimble little fleas
i A chance tu till thur maws.
hop an skip wha. -ur tha please,
Iu spite uv iashions laws.
Make him cum outen that ur hat s
An fling away that brass,
An all them glitterin Dimunds, that
Aiut nothin else but glass.
Au puil his hare a little tu,
Until he parts it right;
-Dont let him wear it curl a-eu,
Like a Tom Cat i.> a frigiif
Tu tongue lash sjch a mungy pup,
It aiut a bit uv sin ;
So “Sue-z-an” don’t give it up,
But go fur him agiu.
SPEECH
OF TILE
Hon. C. B. Wooten,
Os the Evcccnih Senatorial District, deliv
ered in the Senate of Georgia, Jalg 28,
1870. on the Resolution, to postpone the
Election.
ME. PRESIDENT : It is not ex
travagant language to say that this is
the most important question ever sub
mitted to the consideration of this body
It strikes at the very vitals of tree gov -
ernment, and involves the rights of
the people of Georgia to choose their
representatives. The people of this
country have been accustomed to re
gard this as a sacred right. It was
baptized iu the blood of the Revolu
tionary sires.
The friends of this measure resorted
to every means at their command to
induco Congress to extend the term of
the members of this General Assembly.
This, Congress refused to do, but by
the law which has just been passed,
that body, after protracted discussion,
settled the question as to au election,
and declared in the first place, that
nothing therein contained “shall bo
constiued to deprive the people of
Georgia of the right to an election for
members of the General Assembly of
said State, as provided for iu the Con
stitution thereofand in the next
place, “that nothing in this or any
other act of Congress shall be construed
to affect the term to which any officer
has boen appointed, or any member of
the Generaf Assembly elected, as pre
scribed by the Constitution of the
(State of Geurgia.”
Congress acted with direct refer
ence to this subject and left the whole
question to be determined by the Con
stitution of Georgia. Upon that Act
of Congress, and upon that Constitu
tion, 1 plant myself. And, \v itli all
the vaunted loyalty of gentlemen, 1
claim to be more loyal than the man
who will deliberately override the law
of Congress and the Constitution of
his State. The proposition contained
in the resolutions now before the Sen
ate is to postpone the election lor
members of the next General Assem
bly, and thus to perpetuate the term
of the members of the present Legis
lature beyoud tbe time tor which tney
were elected. Shall this bo done ?It
will, I apprehend, be a sufficient an
swer to that question, to show that it
cannot be done without trampling un
der toot the birthright of freemen
the right of the people to choose their
rulers—and without gross violation of
law—the law of the Constitution,
which all the members took a solemn
oath to support. That Constitution
has made provisions for holding elec
tions, and settled the question as to
time. It recites that, “the election of
members of the General Assembly
shall btgin on Tuesday, after the first
Monday in November, of every sec
ond year, except tbe first flection,
which shall bo held within sixty (till)
days alter the adjournment of ttiis
Convention.”
Accordingly, tliat first election was
held, commencing on the ~Uth day ot
April, 1808.
The steady How of time has brought
on the veni 1870. This being the
second year, the question as to an elec
tion is not an epen on» it is setdtd in
crear and unmistaauoio language uy
the Constitution.
But let us examino the grounds on
which the friends of this measure base
their claim to perpetuation.
In the first place it is contended,
that the term of service of this Legis
lature did not begin until the passage
by Congress, of the recent Act declar j
in<r Georgia entitled to representation
in°that body ; and that prior thereto it
was simply a provisional Legislature. !
Concede for the sake of argument, j
' tp a t this theory is correct and tliat the ;
government of Georgia was and even
now is merely provisional, does this
destroy the force ol the law and dis
pense with elections ? Elections may
be held oven under a provisional gov
ernment' Suppose it be provisional
and that it shall continue so for the
next five years, are no elections to
fake place in the meantime '( Even
on the provisional theory the election
should be held under the Constitution,
especially when the law of Congress
declares that that Constitution snail
i prevail. But the law and the facts
Ido not sustain this theory. A brief
! review of the history of Georgia re
construction is sufficient to demon
strate its falsity tmd to forever silence
1 its iniquitous pretentions.
And lot it bo remembered just hero,
that this provisional idea is not anew
one. It has boon and au
thoritatively disposed of hois, -ofore.—
The question aroso as to the members
elected in 18G8. It was submitted to
Qon Grant, and by him settled, in his
communication to Gen. Meade, dated
the ‘29th day of April, 1808, in
which he declared in substance, that
tho members elected wore not officers
of tho provisional government. Their
inauguration into office was to mark
the commencement of anew ora. Tho
old State government was declared by
tho reconstruction laws to be provis
ional, but it was to terminate, and bo
superseded by the government of tho
officers chosen at that ©lection. Gen.
Grant decided that thoso officers were
not provisional That decision was
acquiesced iu by tho General Govern
ment.
On tho 4th day of July, 18C8, these
members were convened in General
/Assembly, and required take, not
the oath under the reconstruction laws,
for provisional officers, but tho oath
prescribed in the Constitution. When
did the term of their service as a Leg
islature begin ? This question is eas
ily determined by reference to the or
dinance of the Convention, tho act of
Congress, and the orders of tho com
manding General,
The Convention ordained with tho
solemnity of constitutional law, that
there should beau election, beginning
on the 20th day of April, 1808, for
“Governor, Members of tho General
Assembly, Representatives to the Con
gress of tho United States, and all
other officers to bo elected, as provided
in the Constitution.” And mark the
language of this ordinance, for it is a
part of the laws of the State of Geor
gia, by which under tho late act of
Congress, tho time for the next elec
tion is to be determined The ordi
nance goes on to proscribe that “The
persons so elected, or appointed, shall
enter upon the duties of the several
offices to wliich they have been re
spectively elected, when authorized so
to do by acts of Congress, or by tho
order of the General commanding,
and shall continue in office.” Nut un
til the expiration of two years, or uny
other time after the State is admitted
to representation in Congress, but “till
tho regular succession provided for,
alter tlte year 1808, and until succes
sors are elected and qualified ; so that
said officers shafl each of them hold
their office as though they were elect
ed on the Tuesday after tho first Mon
day in November, 1808.”
This language is plain and unequiv
ocal. The persons elected were to
enter upon the duties of their offices
when authorized so to do by act of
Congress, or by order of the command
ing Gin.ual. Now, what is the act of
Congress, and what the order of tho
commanding General with regard to
this subject '< lu J une, 18(58, Con
gress passed a law, declaring in sub
stance, that Georgia should be enti
tled to representation as a btate of the
Union, upon the ratification, by the
Legislature, of the fourteenth amend
ment, and of the action of Congress iu
striking from her Constitution the
clause impairing the obligation of con
tracts. And tiie same law proceeds
in the following language :
Thereupon, tnat is to say, upon tho
ratification ol tlieso fundamental con
ditions by the Legislature, “tue offi
cers of the IState, duly elected and
qualified uuder tfie Constitution there
of, shall be inaugurated without de
lay.”
Now, we are seeking to ascertain
the time at winch tfie term of this
Legislature began. isy the ordinance
oi tne Convention, tho persons elocted
were to enter upon tfie duties of their
offices, when authorized to do so by
act of Congress or by order of the
General commanding, lly act of Con
gress to which wo have just referred,
taey were to be inaugurated without
delay when the Legislature consented
to tnoae fundamental conditions. Very
well. The first work of tho Legisla- j
turo, after the organization was com
pleted, was to latny the XLVtli
Amendment and to assent to tho ac
tion of Congress iu relation to tiie ob- 1
i noxious ciauso of the Constitution.—
That this was duly and promptly done
is attested, not only by your journals,
but by tfie order ol Gen. Meade, dated
tho 2_d day ol July, 1808, wherein fie
declared that tfie Legislature had
complied with the requisitions of the
act ox Congress which became a law
the 20th day of June, 1808, and that
the (state was, therefore, under the
i acts of Congress, entitled to represen
tation. Here we have, by act of Con
gress and by order ot the General
! commanding, the point of timo cou
| tempiated iu the ordinance of the Con
-1 venuon lor tfie persons elected to enter
upon tfie duties of their offices, or, in
j tne language of the act of Congress,
I tor them to be inaugurated without
1 delay.
Thereupon, tho Governor was inau
j gurated with the usual ceremony, and
with a solemnity befitting tho occasion,
that functionary congratulated the
Legislature and tho country upon the
restoration of civil government. The
earth shook beneatn the roar of can
non, brougiit into requisition to cele
brate that event, liy order of Gen.
Meade, military power was withdrawn
and civil authority established. The
State government moved ou in its le
gitimate orbit uuder tho Constitution.
Lor sixteen months it went forward in.
tho perloinlaneo of all the executive,
judicial, aud legislative functions of a
real State Government. As Governor,
■ the Executive took las position. lie
sent forth his signature, not as plain
liuius 11 Bullock, ouo of tho protean
roles in which he has rocently chosen
ito appear before the Legislature, nor
as Provisional Governor Bullock, but
as Governor Bullock, without that
magical adjunct, “provisional.” This
fact is shown, not only by his
proclamations, but by his special acts
of Executive clemency, in pardoning
convicted and unconvicted criminals ;
a practice which has boen indulged
with a recklessness, equaled only by
the prodigality with which the peo
ple s money has been squandered.
The judiciary wont forward to “raise
aloft tho scales of justice,” and to ad
just tho rights of parties under tho
Constitution and laws of the State.
Tho General Assembly proceeded in
the capacity of a (State Legislature,
acknowledging allegiance only to tho
Constitution of the United (States aud
of tho (State of Goorgia. As such,
they hold themselves forth to tho
w’&rM, and enacted laws to affect the
varied interests of the people By
your legislation, as tho General /As
sembly of the Suato, your portals have
been thrown wide open to the immi
grants from the old w orld, commerce
has established her depots and ar
ranged her financial resources, while
agriculture has sprung into newness of
life and energy, under tho magic touch
of a fertilization rendered genuine by
tests which you applied. Under the
operations of your laws, mineral wealth
is uncovered, mountains are dug down
mid luilrouds are stretching their wea
ry lengths over the surtuco of your
State. All this you have done as a
State Legislature, and do you now
mean to repudiate it, and say that you
were practicing fraud and deception
upon the people ? It is a principle of
law, as old as jurisprudence aud as
universal as civilization, that a mau is
bound by what he deliberately states
iu his own deed. Ho is estopped from
denying it. In the enacting clauses
of your laws you proclaimed your
selves the Senate and House of Rep
resentatives of Georgia, in Uoneral
Assembly convened.
You thus covenanted with tlio peo
ple. You so nominated it in the bond.
Can you now deny it, and say it was
a mere delusion'/ A'uu drew from the
public treasury, as a Legislature. If
you were not one in good faith, you
are bound in law and in .morals, to
make a restitution of tho money which
you obtained under false pretences. —
Thus we have a d.-finite, fixed period
of time at which the Legislature be
gan its terms of service, to-wit: In
July, 1868.
To recapitulate for ono moment.—
By the ordinance of the Convention
tho officers elect were to outer upon
the duties of their offices, when au
thorized to do so by act ot Congress,
or by the order of the General com
manding. By act of the 2.;>th day of
June, I.SOB, Congress declared that
said officers shornd bo inaugurated
forthwith upon the ratification of tfio
fourteenth amendment, and of the re
quisition in relation to contracts. On
tfio 22d day of J uly, 1868, the Gener
al commanding announced in the form’
of an ordor, that the Legislature had
complied with those requisitions, and
that the iState was under the acts of
Congress ent.tled to representation.
The (State government was fully and
completely inaugurated in ail its de
partments. The representatives from
Georgia w T ere admitted to Congress.
Her (Senators were rejected not for
any defect in the Legislature at the
timo of their election, but for tho rea
son as was alleged, that certain acts
of the Legislature, subsequent to the
time of that election, were obnoxious
to views entertained by a majority of
Senators in Congress.
But it is argued, that tho expulsion
of the colored members, aud tue seat
ing of the minority candidates in their
places, were illegal acts. Admit it,
aud what dot*s it prove ‘f When was
it ever seriously maintained before,
that the simple passage of an illegal
or unconstitutional lneastre by tliu
Legislature of a State destroyed its
; (Statehood ? Does that act contradict
I or impair tho great cardinal truth that
I there was aud had been a (State Leg
islature V Is not the plain inference
uud conclusion just the reverse r 1 Was*
! it not a Legislature acting, not under
] a grant of military authority, but un
i der the Constitution and controlled by
’ the construction which Democrats, iu
common with most leading liepubli
-1 cans, placed upon that instrument ?
! And just here 1 take occasion to ad
vert to a fact not entirely germain to
1 this question. Tho charge lias been
gravely made upon the iioorof the
(Senate, that ceriam Democratic (Sena
tors w'erc responsible for tho expul
sion of the colored members. Bo it so.
[ In reply, 1 submit whether it is fair
aud just to censure Democrats for the
i advocacy of a doctrine which had been
in the campaign preceding tho elec
tion, boldly aud zealously proclaimed
upon tho Dustings by tiie acknowledg
ed leaders of tfie Republican party in
Georgia.
But to turn to tho question. What
ever may have been tiie effoct oi the
expulsion of colored members as to
tho future, it could not alter the fact
that tfie term of tho sort ice of the
Legislature had begun in J uly, 1808.
The Government Uud been regularly
inaugurated, and it had continued, up
to that timo at least, unaltered. Tfiat
is an independent, substantial fact,
aud it cannot Lo ignored, Tho Leg
islature had advanced through a part
of its term, and, unlike the stiadow in
the sun dial of Ahaz, it could not move
backwards —the past was secure.
In December last, Uongress saw
proper to interfere with Georgia. Does
that act of Congress disprove the exis
tence of the (State Legislature t An
analysis of it will show just the con
trary. Congress assumed tliat the acts
of the Legislature with regard to the
colored members were illegal, and vi-
olative of the principles of Republican
government, and uuder tho provision
of the Constitution making it tho duty
of Congress to guarantee to each (State
a Republican form of Govortrm'ervt,
that body undertook to remedy tho
allegod evil by reorganizing a Legisla
ture that had already been organized.
This Congress might, with equal pro
priety, buvo done, under similar cir
cumstances, in tho case of any (State of
tho Union.
Right or wrong, this is the theory
on which a resort to interference is
justified. Nowhere in that act is the
government of Georgia termed provis
ional. And if any of its language
could bo even tortured into a protext
for an extension of tho term of this
Legislature, tho recent law of Con
gress comes to tho rescue of the Con
stitution, when it declares iu emphatic
words, that nothing in that, nor any
other act of Congress, shall bo con
strued to affect the term for which any
member of the General Assembly was
elected as prescribed by the Constitu
tion. But, it is said that tho act of
Congress which became a law in De
cember last, required tho adoption of
the fifteenth amendment This is true,
Mr. President, and though it will be
found very difficult to reconcile this re
quisition with tho theory of govern
ment provided lor iu tho Constitution
of the United States, still it cannot af
fect, nor was it intended to affect, the
truth that the term of service of this
Legislature began in July, 1868. This
was anew requirement. It was not
a condition precodent to the inaugura
tion of the State Government in 1868.
It had sprung into existence since.
Congress adopted this method to se
cure the ratilicatiou of the fifteenth
amendment, and, perhaps, I might
say, to overcome tho contumacy of re
fractory Republicans. This amend
ment was submitted fur ratification to
Georgia, in common with other (States.
The question as to its ratification, came
up during the session of 18GG, and,
strange to say, Republicans, men who
wore regarded as the champions of
universal political equality, voted
against it. The measure was defeated
iu the (senate, if 1 mistake not, by the
casting vote of the presiding officer,
who was a Republican. If Democrats
sinned in expelling the colored mau
from office, how rank aud unpardona
ble ought to be that Republican’s sin
wlfich denied him the right to vote.
It is no extenuation to say that it was
done for political elfeet. This does
not rescue it from the charge of in
consistency. Tho fact that it was in
tended to disturb and paralyze the
regular (State government, will increase
its odium. Duplicity uni deception,
while they may be lavorite ideas with
those who resort to them, are always
reprehensible and irreconcilable with
the public good.
But we aro told that the act of Con
gress prescribes anew oath under the
test of which, some 15 or 20 members
were found to be ineligible. And,
pray, what is this worth, as an argu
ment to show that tho term of this
Legislature did not begin in July,
1808 Y Early in that mouth tho eligi
bility of mem oers under tho provisions of
Fourteenth Amendment was investigat
ed. General Meade pronounced the
results of that investigation satisfactory.
The act of December last, proscribes
a now and supervenient oath, impos
ing somo terms additional to what is
contained in the Fourteenth Amend
ment. (some small number of the
members refused to take that oath,
while a few others wore excluded by
the action of that modern institution,
known as a military ooinmission, to
determine the Constitutional eligibility
ot members of a (State Legislature.—
Truly, when posterity shall read the
history of the Government, as made
by the revolutionary fathers, and con
trast it with the events of tins period,
they will find much to excite their as
tonishment, as well as to deplore in
the downfall of constitutional liberty
But, notwithstanding the vicissitudes
through which tho Legislature has
passed, there was always a quorum of
its members unaffected by any change
that took place in that body. When
was it ever before claimed that a leg
islative body ought to perpetuate itself
for an additional term because, for
sooth, one or more of its members less
than a quorum were disqualified ?
Does it not frequently happen in
Ci tigress that members aro declared
ineligible ? Yet, it is not understood
that this loavcns the whole body and
entitles it to perpetuity for another
! te.m.
Again it is insisted that oven admit
ting tliat the term of the State Legis
lature began Jury, 18t>8, still the Con
stitution authorizes the Legislature to
change the time of the election, and
provides that the present members
shall continue in office until their suc
cessors are elected and qualified. It
is urged as a reason for tho exercise
of this supposed power in the present
case, that the probable excitement
growing out of an election next Fall
would bo so groat as to render a post
ponement of it advisable on the grounds
of expediency. Let us construe this
clause of the Constitution. Now, the
pieceeding part of the same section
p ovidos that the election for members
of the General Assembly shall begin
on Tuesday alter tho first Monday iu
November of every second year.
This is an absolute unconditional
requirement, and there is no escape
from it. Unless the election shall *
take place every year, this clause of
tho Constitution is violated. It is true
that the succeeding clause provides
that tho General Assembly may by
law change the time of elections, and '
that the members shall hold until
their successors are eloctod and quali
fied. What is the obvious meaning’’
VOL. V. —NO.
of this ? Why, that tho General As
sembly may by law change the time
w ithiu the purview of tbe Constitution;
that is to say from Tuesday after the
first Monday in November, to any
other day witlfin the second /er.’ri
Y r uu say this clause confers upon you
the power to postpone the election,
and to perpetuate yourselves for two
years or any other length of time. If
you may do so for two years, may you
not for ton years V Does not the right
to do ono, imply the right to do the
other 'l And will any one insist that
this would be iu accordance with re
publican Government? v
But reference is made to the words,
“the members shall hold until thoiri
successors are elected and qualified.”
What do these words mean ? They
are simply intended to meet cusos of
emergency. If from war, pestilonce,
or other cause, the election could not
bo held, tho members would continue
in office until the election and qualifi
cation of their successors. Again, in,
some (Slates where calls have fyoeu,
mude for extra sessions between tha
time of election and tho meeting of
the Legislature, the question us to
whether the old or now Legislature,
should serve has been the source oi
some dispute. This elauso of the
Constitution disposes of that question.
But the plea of popular excitement is
set up. May not the sapre plea.,,be
urged to any eloction that shall take
place in future ? The practical result
of the operation of this principle would
be to abolish elections. Ana with re
gard to this argument, gentlemen may
do well to bear in mind that the ex
citement incident to an eloction, under
the laws of Georgia, may not, after all,
be so formidable as that storm of pop
ular indignation which would likely
sweep over this land in the event of a
denial of this great right,
You may udppt these, resolutions,
but it will be a fraud upon the just
rights of tiie people. It will boa tri
umph of usurpation over constitution
al law. These resolutions are instinct
with fraud. With protestations of
loyalty and patriotism, they strike
down the Constitution and crush the
dearest rights of the people beneath
the heel ol a craven and ignoble sel
fishness. When you couple the prop
osition to postpone the election, until
the representatives from Georgia are
admitted into Congress, with the fact
that there are no representatives, and
.can be none until an olection is held,
you discover the Moloch purpose of
these resolutions. It is nothing more
nor less than to continue the present
members iu office indefinitely—per
haps, for life.
A rare exhibition of modesty in-,
deed ! Doubtless an appreciative peo-,
pie will duly reward the merit of such
sell-sacrificing patriots, andaruct asuit-,
able monument to their memory. I
appeal to the conservative men of the
Republican party to raise their voices
in opposition to this great wrong.
There uro members of this Legislature
that aro allowing themselves to be
dragooned into the support of this,
measure, while in the innermost re
cesses of their hearts they detest it.
Thoso men aro uuder the influence of
bud leaders. I entreat them.to break
loose from the shackles of party, and
dare to bo free, and, what is more,
dare to be honest. There may be
those who will vote for it from con
scientious motives. I do not assert
tho contrary, but I will refer to one
class, who are expected to vote for it.
If there be members here who are not
responsible to any constituency—men •
who are misrepresenting instead of
representing the people—-men who,
find it more safe and convenient to
cluster, like vampires around the Cap
itol and live at the public expense,
than to return home aud give an ac
count of their stewardship—if there,
be such, they .are expected to support
this measure.
Nor is it, by any means, strange
that it is thus. Georgia welcomes
witlfin her borders the industrious, ©n
torprisiug man from tho North, or.
from any other quarter; but woe to
the wretch that would speculate at the ■
expense of her liberties. The ides of
November would bring fearful reckou-,
iug to that species of the genus homo
known as carpet-baggers. I verily be-,
lievo that when the olection does take
plaoo, the voters of Georgia will re
cord tlioir verdict against that class of
jiolitical adventurers. , They have.been
weighed iu the balance and found
wanting. The handwriting is already,
upon tho wall. Rublic opinion is pur
suing them like a terrible Nemesis.,
But tho people expect—they have a
right to expect—that a majority of
this Legislature will be true to the
Constitution and to the interest of-
Georgia. That they will rise above
merely personal considerations, and
with a sublime devotion to Constitu-.
tional law, acquit themselves like pa
triotic men.
Lemonade and Fevehs. —A cotorn
porary says that in most cases of fe
vers we have no doubt that tho attack
might have boen prevented and the
patient well in a few days without a
particle of medicine, by rest, partial,
lasting and free use of lemons and
lemonade. Tho virtuo of this artiole
in billious attacks and incipient fevers
has been tested with tho, best results,
and we recommend its use during the
heated term as a preventive of these
diseases.
Joseph Ward, of Orwell, Vermont,
■ saved his wife from eloping by keep
ing guard o /er her silk dress. She
wouldn’t elope in calico.
R L. Robson, of Thomas county,
has gathered 1,140 watermelons, and
1 seven bushels of corn from one acre
!of ground.
| A horse died from sun stroke in
Savannah on the 3rd.