Georgia Historic Newspapers

    A WORD nmt A BLACKGUARD.
We print in Another column a letter from
I.mory Bpcer. We made the nunc tnlaUke In
aaklnc him to explain la oor columns bU con*
nectlon with this telegram that anjr gentleman
la liable to makn when he Invitee a man into
his house, ami Mila out aa noon as he has open*
ed th.e door tliatTils guest U a blackguard. And
we shall deal with Mr. Opecr Just as any gentle*
man would be forced to do when he nas been
deceived In that war. It would.have been
more in accordance with the rules usual among
gentlemen If Mr. Sneer had first written hla ex*
{•lunation, If he ha«l one. and then if the Cm-
stitmioa 11nd failed to do him Justice, to have
denounced it if ho chose to do so. But the
cour». of a gentleman would make Mr. Speer
he*! tat a any time, and lie baa shown himself In
his conduct In this matter aa uufamlllai with
the conduct of a gentleman as he is with the
truth.
We admit that It would bo cowardly In ua to
ask a man to explain In our columns and then
deny him the but when a man comet on
the Invitation we give and acts the ruffian, the
bully and the braggart, we will treat him as hla
couduct deserves, even while we give publicity
to his willful and malicious fa&chuUs con
cerning our course to him.
Now, Mr. Speer, we have listened to yon, and
heard what you have to nay. We have nothing
but your statement, and even you admit that
what you did was without Mr. Stephens’ an*
».SSI
phena given you any room to think he would
reject a noml atlon fromjrour friends f Your
deceived Mr. liili
r-essarfsgis^
fuse to believe yourstateoM
made yon have no one to 1
If a majority of the people
want you aa their reprerat
objection. We have mid
iz.
repreren.
You took occaaloa with
this Insulting letter, when
Min
Mr. Stephens tor governor because he Isphysf.
rally unabte to discharge the duties of the of*
flee, and because bis elerttou would conlbet
wjth the beat interests of our State and people.
Andwetokethisposition la all kindMaaand
respect to Mr. Stephens. W s regret that he baa
allowed his over reaching ambition to place
Wm In a goclUon that would call forth a crlti*
cl * E » of hU infirmities. Ilia own common
was not the
man for the position.
Valdosta Timm.
••What Mr. Speer telegraphed Dr.
strictly true, though not by author
There Is no issue between me amt 1
__ . "AutXAXbza IL 8
That settles *u Mr. Stephens
would accept the nomination from . uuv -
P^odents, bpt he did not "authorial Mr
b» But about a week ago Mr. Mo*
phens denied the whole .thing. Ah, Mr. fits*
pbeha t you an certainly In your second child
hood. That Is the moat charitable view.
5ps uSSlffipraggijffi
r to delivered by canton in the eit>
free U cubserfber* at fl p*>
•1M fet (km ueatha, ti far tij
- ocHfiyatr.
xt is mailed to subscribers. pvstagt
* * year ami f! for glx months,
-srtmemenu will be taken at otu
■guars of tan Unte or 1cm for th«
, and fifty recta for each seW
* "rand rates to eoutracuirs
i advertissmsuU uaatef
itended for publication
' by the wntor’s nam«
publiaailon, but as as
■pastes] by the
not for * ’•
sefftadfahh.
a commas tea‘J r.i will not be returned
• containing Important
■16EI TELKfUPH 1ND KSS5S5B
rr.IDAT, JUNK 0. 1882.
Thomasvilie Times evidently im-
s that it has hnd new light on tho reli-
f of the Democracy of Mr. Stephen*.
1Uyaa4 Weakly.
±rn a*» Miawcn is publish*
. sxmpt Mouday, and weekly evtr.
tieoe. fo
tPitf ©saKxjm UtaSUn attfc Smmt&l &
Trrx files of the Cheon icle and Cowtitu-
altit for 1878 would famish interesting
ad instructive reading abont now. In
Is interest of Democratic courage and
utoitteuoy, we should like to see tho
MrowJe’* opinion of that day placed
kngftide of its opinion of to-day.
“Surety In Tala the Met la fpread”
la the Sight of Any Bird.
With a conviction that is arrived at after
turc and deliberate analysis and consideration,
with every advantage pro and eon, we have
decided that tho legitimate conclusion t
drawn from the utterances of the Bourbon
press Is that It is not safe in any sense, person
ally or pecuniarily, for any man to como to
this city, or to the Stato of 0oorg»a, from tho
North or from elsewhere. If be adheres to the
right which tho constitution of the Unltod
States guarantees to every' man. and pursues
lino of policy in politics dlftt-rout from that
dictated to him by those In power in this State.
This Is not the first tlmo this conviction has
been forced on ns. If any man, native or other
wise, dares to differ with tho Bourbon clan that
controls Georgia, ho does so at the riak of im
pairing his business and also subjecting him
self Individually to the vulgar epithets and
grossly slanderous lies of a venal, poverty*
stricken set of blackguarding, would-be news
paper editors, who have not as much brain as
money, and none of either.—Post-Appeal.
The above, from the rost-Appeal of
Saturday last, develops the disappointment
that Thornton experiences, because in
the conduct of his pspor he has not been
able to deceive anyone but himself. The
plans and purposes of all the elements
behind him aim either at Africanizing the
South absolutely, or at ^ettlrAoutrol of
public hflairs through tho Mfro vote.
This has been painfully apparent to the
people In every movement for the past
seventeen yearsj having for its object tho
division of the white vote.
Tn Atlanta Constitution seems anxious
to know that Iho editor-in-chief of this pa-
V»r will support its gubernatorial candi
date, although it is ou record aa charging
1 void aapport always defeats the cau.to
Mwa* Jwigued to further. This is queer;
& IHa, you know, the Constitution is a
wr institution.
M*. Stephen* fa reported, by theWash-
fegton correspondent of the Savannah
Sean, an being determined to stomp tho
Bfcaia wnen Congress adjourns. As the
oenvention will ptobsbly meet, ucminate
•moo one else, and adjourn boforo Con-
trace d< es, in whose iutcrest does ho pro-
BH to canvass tho State?
Tn Cincinnati Enquirer says: “Tho
Moo. John G. Thorap -ou makes the official
SKsoanoomtn: that Senator Pendleton is
>o longer to be oonsidored a Presidential
•wfldote for 18*4. Tho Senator, it seems,
«mpiy wants to wear oat the seat cf nn-
other pair of trouser* in the Sennto.”
Lawr summer we argued that the South
ern labor question rronld find its solution
‘ In improved machinery. This whs before
tttouie of auoh hnd become general. To-
«*r tho prophecy fa being verified; mowers,
xtapets, throthers, separators and binders
*» doing Coffee's wore ail over tho State,
and doing it better and quicker thr.n Caffto
svi; dreamed of.
Jar is of the utmost importance," says the
OkvwaiWr, “that Georgia should send a
•D&d delegation 11 Washington next fall.”
Ha suppose the Chronicle moans a solid
JMmocratic'delegnlion. Now wo wish to
iBow, of the Chronicle, how this Is to be
BKomplished by Democratic indorsement
fet governor of n candidate who has no
taseewith the independents.
i’s organ backs up “Bunny” Chat
■tors against the Bourbons. It says; “Tho
Krshwt political circus of the season will
Okalmcra-Manning duplex arrange-
it In Iho second Mississippi district
every blow tbnt Mr. Chalmers may do-
r on the brazen front of Bottrbonhm—
be knows how to hit effectually—he
have the thanks of Republicans.”
Tub New Orleans editors actually put
In their pistols when they fight duols.
*» is more dangerous, os well as more
msire, than the Virginia method.
•e ths “eleven able” of tho Constitution
tba or e unable of tho Post-Appeal to
I to the Virginia method, as the ark of
rlufoty <or words to that effect), when
»J Bpeer and Gantt,
Tam statement that “nearly all the Geor-
‘lpapers favor the nomination of Mr.
i,” is not b'.rno out by the facta In
toast. The defeat of that gentleman
e the convention i*% foregone oonclo-
Mis defeat is necessary to the defeat
lion, 8p&«r and Hook, and the organ*
1 Democrat*, in convention assembled,
t hesitate to nsojxupliah it.
•f Felton, i
x of the (taper* object to Colonel Lamar,
ion TELcaiuru and Mcmcsucr, aim-
e *»c has a mind of his own. This la
-Darien Gantts,
s does not seem to stand in awe of
t new coalition ring. He will probably
•ught to Uw for admitting the right
i Txlbobapb abo M*»arsons to op-
u tlie Atlanta bosses. Bat, then, Grubb
■ his best shooting from ta#.
Twa Constitution says: “Tho harmony of
^ ** Jcratic party it tho main thing to
lered just uow.” Even so; and
s fact ooostitatc* an unanswerable ar-
nt against the nomination of Mr.
by the July convention. It is
sltrle to harmonize the party by at-
iiig to force it to swallow Stephens
3 hb record. That would put it in the
"* *■ of having “to itsus” with Emory*
k Washington correspondent of the
i Xncs lias taken tho eontntot of
ring that the relations between Mr.
• aud Dr. Fslton are not very inti-
HtiU, tie doe«n’t explain how it bap-
3 that Mr. Stephens wrotn the statts-
a cl Hungry Hcllow, just aftor tho ad-
t of tbt coalition circus:
e aa to thank you for It (Felton's letter)
ay that I think you mana*cd matter* In
t U»t Moti<iay a.’-uilrably—looking, a* I
1, to the beat interest* of the State.”
nt c jrrt'pondent aud the wild.
this
wake.
bresbes on to the
and Pat Walsh,
oat ou the pablie road to
ea was that a dost would be
1 folks would think that “all the
t filing by. io the great com-
The ruse was not
a» when employ,
t to fool tho Yankees. JSrnn
t to gallop muoh, and stragglsd
while Pit’s b-a«h
Sim at the first
l of it was, the grand
b was to cheer upthhigt
Small had pan chid
•e and let all
• TiKunroK cut off
i from his exchange
e stated it, “a gentleman be-
teheet,” and Gantt repli.
t in the some strain
went for Speer.
4 with a threat to
It matters not under what name the
apostles of all the gospels looking to this
end hare come—whether Republican,
Radical, Liberal, Independent or Coali
tionist—the element on which they have
mainly rolled for tho success of each has
been the negro vote. Take this away at
any time and it lias always been, and Is
yet, a plain case that none of them have,
or ever had, a single chanee for suc
cess. Whatever may havo been
hopes or plans of tho striksrs In all
these mongrel combinations, the head-
devils have realized till* fact, and
consequently on every occasion the do-
velopmont of their policy has quickly
brought It to the surface. The present
Instance is no exception to tho rule. The
Vost-Appeal, as the organ of the party
that seeks the destruction o4* tho white
i’s power and control in Georgia, may
uot purpose the accomplishment of this
end, but, wittingly or uot, It is assisting
with whatever resources it can command
to bring it about.
The temper displayed iu the pgragraph
we have quoted makes it evident IhatJDoi.
Thornton begins to realize at last what
tho people of Georgia have understood
from the first, that ho has not the ability
to deceive them. His little game was for
u time, no dcubt, satisfactory to himself—
if, indeed, he understood it, which we
doubt—but at last it beglus to dawn
upon his mind that the people do not take
to it. His visions of political power login
to fade and iu a moment of rage he at
tempts to stab tho reputation of the State,
as all hts disappointed prototypes hereto
fore have done, because, forsooth, the peo
ple will not be taken iu the net he has
spread for them.
Wo take this occasion to say that the
people of Georgia have never been classed
as a set of fools. They have had to deal
with men of equal cunulng and ability
with Col. Thornton iu many instances,
and It has not often been the case that
they havo been so completely duped, as
would have been the case had bU plans
succeeded. They understand the fact
that at present the only State or national
issue !n politics Is the Africanization of
the South.
Col. Thornton has not told them so,
however. They know that the Federal
administration is working to secure this
result In Georgia.
The same effort was made, and success
fully, in Virginia.. The same agencies
that are at work in Georgia, under what
ever name, led by the Post-Appeal, were
employed in Virginia. On these alone
President Arthur must rely. He under
stands this. Tho people ef Georgia un
derstand It, and they are uot to blamo if
Col. Thornton cannot understand it also.
It may be a little rough on the Ooiuncl
that average voters know more than
ho does, but it Is but Just to them to say
that they are not to blame fur It, for they
cannot help It.
The talk about liberal and advanced
Ideas, so freely indulged by every political
bummer aud dead-beat who seeks office at
expense of the good name of the good
people of the South, has ceased to make
any favorable Impressiou.
We understand that changes, more than
have yet been .wrought, are necessary in
our social and Industrial sys
tems. We havo accomplished (much.
We would have accomplished
taore If It had been possible
to have safely left the vital question of
local coutrol of affairs long enough to have
Intelligently discussed economic ques
tions. It were folly for the Southern peo
ple to anticipate any Improvement, any
permanent pnxperity, or even pecuniary
existence shouid our governments, city
county and State, pass Into the bands of
ignorance and vice. We have tried them
and kuow what they mean. The day* of
carpet-baggers sud scalawags left an
impression on each and every Southern
State that this generation can never for
get. We havo seen no evidence that the
characters of these bars changed. They
are the same yesterday, to-day and for
ever. They know no god bnt power, no
duty bat corruption; no ambition outside
ot public plunder. They can assume ao
dlsguLe that will hide the treachery of
their pretenses, no claim of “woodshock 1 *
that V11 deodorize the smell of skunk.
They deeelvo themselves only when they
count that their promises will mislead the
people of Georgia.
having seen the telegram, or having given
authority for sending it. This was fol
lowed by the Stephens’ letter to S jritl),
which was published In these columns.
Upon these developments, the Constitu
tion brought the charges against Mr.
Speer, who having kept tho original of the
telegram, produced it, aud with Mr. Ste
phens signed the statement that it had
beon written in Mr. Stephens’ room, upon
blanks turnised by bis private secretary,
was revised by him (Mr. S.) and sent
with bis knowledge. The statement far
ther recited that there was no issue be
tween Mr. Speer and Mr. Stephens.
We have no desire to comment upon
tho issue as between Mr. Speer and tho
Constitution, It is evident that there can
be no further public correspondence be
tween the two parties. Mr. Speer has
charged, in severe terms, that the C’onsff
tutlon has concealed tho trutli concerning
him, iu order to deceivo; the Constitu-
tiqji lias replied, brauding him as a black-
gum and liar, and has used, in the treat
ment oi him, language more bitter than
we have ever before seen in the columns
of a Georgia Journal. That issue is closed
up except as between tho two parties, and
they must bo left to settle It la another
way. There can be no interference be
tween them except by invitation.
There Is oue feature of the affair, how
ever, toward which we desire to call
contemporary’s attention; a question of
logie, and we feel free to discuss it, hav
ing far more than two weeks previous
been engaged upon that line of thought
and inference. Mr. Stephens is the Con
stitution's candidate for governor; the
telegram from Mr. Speer to the coalition
in Atlanta was written in Mr. Stephens’
room, upon blanks furnished by him; it
was revised by him and sent with bis full
knowledge. Had Mr. Stephens the desire
he could havo inserted into that tele
gram the announcement to tie coalition
that lie would not run for governor
exception the Democratic nomination.
Ho certainly had the oppo tunity. He
did not use it, and tho coalitionists had
every reason to construe the elegram lit
erally. It was the Joint act of two per
sons, both familiar with all lira circum
stances precedent and dcsiious of the
eauee result. It was in fact literally a
Joint production; one wrote it, the other
revised it; oue sent It, and both have
signed a statement, not only to tho effect
that it was a Joint production, but that
there is now no issue between the authors
of it.
These are tacts that cannot bo ques
tioned. Therefore, tho following conclu
sion is logical aud invincible ; the act cf
two parties, both in possession of the satno
facta, both lookiua toward the same re
sult, both of spuud mind, entahs equal
responsibility. If Mr. Speer “knew when
ho sent tho telegram that Mr. btepheus
would not be a candidate unless nomina
ted by the Democratic convention; that
he believed in correcting error* of the
party inside rather than outside the par
ty,” Mr. Stephens himself must have
kuown it. “If it was insidious’
Mr. Speer “to conceal
fact,” it was Insidious in Mr.
Stephens. Did Mr. Speer know that
fact? Wo cannot say; but certainly
Mr. Stephens did, and Mr. Stephens
says Iho telegiam was revised by him
after having been written in hi* room.
He further *ajt that there is no issue
between Mr. Speer aud himself. How,
then, could Mr. Speer “know posi
tively that .ie (Mr. Stephens) would not
reject tho recommendation” of tho Inde
pendents, and there to no Issue between
two, If i*. were not true that he
did know it positively? And bow could
he know positively except from Mr. Ste
phens ?
The Constitution has charged upon Mr.
Speer “Insidious” conduct as to the send
ing or tlio telegram. We cannot as stated
discuss the issue between the Constitution
and Mr. Speer. But how can our con
temporary separate Mr. Speer and Mr.
Stepheus? Uow can It make one less
guilty than theotbei? It is the opinion
of the Constitution that Mr. Speer lias
deceived Mr. Stephens and the coalition
ists; it cannot be proved without estab
lishing also the fact that Mr. Stephens
has deceived Mr. Speer, and purposoly
permitted him to deceivo the coalition in
his name.
Wbere la Its OspralU—T
Some days siuce we published extracU
from the Atlanta Constitution and com
pared them with later utterances of that
Journal to show the utter inconsistency of
Us course toward Mr. Stephens. Iu the
last Issue we find what purports to be au
explanation, based upon the fol’iwing
paragraph:
We stated further that if he sought the Dem
ocratic nomination on au eqalvoutl jdatforui-
1! he came to Uie convention bearing the coa
lition atandard-lf he aonght the aupport of tlio
party after bo had compromised with Its.
tnle*. we ihould oppose hi* nomination. We
reassert now what waa aald then.
Ybo “Coastliallow’* »u4 nr Spear.
Elsewhere In this issue will be found a
spirited controversy embraced in a letter
to tne Atlanta Constitution, from Emory
Speer, and au editorial reply from that
Journal. Doubtless by this time the pub
lic is familiar with the dreumstanres
which have developed the novel situatloa
presented iu the violent conflict of words
between two ardent supporters of the
same gubernatorial candidate over his
caudidacy. Anything, therefore, more
than a brief resume of the main points
will be unnecessary. The circumstances
are as follows: On the 14th ult., Emory
Speer telegraphed from Washington City
to the coalitionists, then In session in At
lanta, to recommend Mr. Stephens for
governor, stating that he knew positively
that Mr. Stephen* would not reject the
recommendation, and if elected would be
governor of tbe whole people
without regard to party. This
remarkable telegram drew the fir* oi
prominent State papers, tbe Constitution
included, S..-1 its Washington correspond-
E sdlatel, interviewed Mr. Ste-
►n tbe subject, who denied ever
Mr. Stephens has none all or these
things, and yet we find no trace of oppo
sition to him in the columns of our con
temporary. We say first that he has
sought the Democratic nomination upon
au equivocal platform. In bis letter to
Mr. C. S. Smith announdng his candi
dacy, he qualifies his whole statement by
the clause In which he expressly says that
he will uot be a partisan governor, a
danse which is but a repetition of
the Idea so carefully inserted la
Mr. Speer’s telegram to Dr.
Felton, when he declared that be
knew positively Mr. Stephens would not
reject tho nomination of the coalitionists,
aud if elected would be governor of the
whole people without regard to party.
Under such a qualification, Mr. Stephens,
If the seatot Mr. Hill in tbe United States
Senate became vaesnt before tbe present
term expired, could, wllb perfect consis
tency, fill it by the appointment of W. H.
Felton. Not only could he bestow the
patronage of the governorship upon his
friends, irrespective of party, but by the
very pledge he has given, be would be
bound to do so. A platform which leaves
a man open and pledged to each action,
Is from a Democratic standpoint, “equivo
cal.”
But, continues tbe Constitution, we
“should oppose b<* nominal Lou if be came
to the convention bearing tbe coalition
standard.” The. coalition leaders met In
Atlanta and, having on account of the
small-pox abandoned their previous In
tention of holding a couvention, nomi
nated (by recommendation) Mr. Stephens
for governor, under cover of a telegram
written in Mr. Stephens’ room—and re
vised by him—pledging him not to njort
•aid recommendation, and to govern with
out regard to party if siacted. Thai
tbe action of the leaders was the action ol
tbe party, Is conclusively proved by the
fact that not oone has the voice of an In
dependent been raised against It. Mr
Stepheus has received in effect the ooall.
tion nomination, and has not rejected it.
Mr. Stephens has “sought the support of
the party after he bad compromised with
its enemies,” and yet, as before remarked,
we do not see any signs of opposition In
our contemporary’s columns.
A Word Wllb Organised Democrats
The Banner- If’ofchman is not satisfied
with the present attitude of Mr.
Stephens. After quoting from Richard-,
son’s Interview of tiiat gentleman, in
which interview he denied all knowledge
of, aud responsibility for, Emory 8peer’s
dispatch to the second coalition caucus,
the Banner-Watchman gives a folnt
statement of Stephens and Speer, in
which tbe latter reiterates the points con
tained in his dispatch to Felton, and
claims that the dispatch was submitted to
Mr. Stephens and was altered, at his sug
gestion, in two particulars before it was
sent. Tbe Banner- Watchman then goes
on to say:
Until Mr. Stephens can reconcile the abovo
tnAM of Incongruities to the satisfaction of the
organized Democracy, we must decline to
longer champion hla course. Ho standi con
victed cither of a most treacherou* memory,
verging on to second childhood, or he 1> at
tempting to play a double game, and !• fall
sympathy with lnde{>cndentl«m and coalition-
fam. If there la no luuo between Mr.
Stephens and Mr. 8pccr, he Is not the man foi
the organized Democracy of the ninth district
to support.
It would seem that the. points made In
this paragraph, taken lu connection with
what bos preceded, are unanswerable. It
must bo true, inevitably, eitber that Mr.
Stephens is not of souud memory and dis
cretion, or elso he has tried to deceivo
both the Democrats and independents,
There is no way to avoid this conclusion.
One or tbe other of these convictions is
necessarily true; aud in either event it is
plain that Mr. Stephens should not re
ceive tho Democratic nouiiuation. Tbe
letter which he wrote to Dr. Felton alter
the coalition caucus had met, read Speer’s
dispatch, iudorsed him aud dispersed,
shows that ho commended the movement,
aud that bis indorsement of it was a mat
ter of deliberate purpose. He has not
deuied that,he wroto Dr. Felton as fol-
lowsr
“Allow roe to thank you for It (Felton’s let
ter), and to My that I think you managed mat-
ten In Atlanta last Monday admirably—look
iug, as I conceived, to tho beat interests of tho
State ”
What were the matters that Dr. Felton
was managing in Atlanta on tho Monday
in question? Aud how was it that that
gentleman was proposing to subserve “tho
best interests of tlio State?” Mo man,
who Is posted on the objects for which the
coalition was formed, needs to be told
that tho question thero had undor consid
eration was how the Democratic party, m
the State, could be the moat surely over
thrown. K/ery step taken at that meet
ing looked to that end, and Mr. Stephens
declared that those stops, ii his Judgment,
looked to “the best interest* of the State.”
Tne Smith letter reads like it was writ
ten by different man. It cen»!oly In
dorsed views diametrically opposito to
those expressed in the letter to Felton.
Not a paper In tho State has essayed to
reconcile these conflicting letters. Mr.
Stephens has not felt called upon to at
tempt an explanation of these two con-
fl'eting documents. It would he as easy
to reconcile good and evil.
The history of the Speer telegram has
been referred to already. Mr. Stephens
had this telegram corrected to suit him
before it was tent, and he knew when,
wbere, to whom, and for what purpose, It
would be seut. After its publication he
denied ever having seen It. Being ap
proached by Speer, he recanted his deni
al, confessed that It was submitted to
him and altered at his suggestion, sud
that thero la no issue between him aud
Speer.
Now, as the conclusion from this
strange train of facts and circumstances,
the Bannsr- Watchman says: “If there be
no issue between Mr. Stephens and Mr.
Sneer he la not the man for the organized
Democracy of the Ninth district to sup
port.”
We wish still further to enforce this
conclusion. While the Absence of an issue
between an Independent leader aud a pro
posed Democratic leader la r- matter which
concerns all the Democrats In the State,
It la oue which, in a special sense, directs
Itself to tho consideration of our party in
tbe Seventh and Ninth districts. The ab
sence of an lasue between politicians
necessarily implies a community of feel
ings and Interests between them. Now
Speer indorses Stephsns, and Stephens In
dorses Speer. In case, then, the Demo
cratic party Indorses the one, on what
ground will It oppotfi the other? If tbe
Democrats Indorse Mr. Stephens for gov
ernor, and there Is no Issue between him
and Mr. Speer and the latter pleads the fact
on tbe hustings, how will the Democratic
opponent of Speer avoid the force of the
point? We confess we see no way of ee-
caping the conclusion that the nomination
of Mr. Stephens surrenders the Coagree-
slooal field In the Ninth district. Tbe
same line of remark is applicable, with
scarcely leu force, to tbe Seventh. This
is a view ot the question that la worthy of
the consideration of Democrats In these
districts. We cannot soe bow they can
deliberately invite defeat by favoringjthe
nomination of a candidate who la not at
tuue with either Felton or Speer. Every
Democrat In tbe Stato who feels an Inter
est In sending a solid, delegation to tbe
Forty-Eighth Ccngreu has, in this Inter
est a motive strong enough to Induce him
to oppose the nomination of Mr. Stephens.
Editor Gantt has penetration enough to
see that tbe nomination, by tbe Demo
cratic convention, of a man whose
record and preeent sym
pathies commit him against
opposition to tbe Independent candidacy
of Speer, Felton and Hook would be
an Irreparable party blunder. Tbe same
light has begun to dawn upon tbe mlnda
of thousands of Democrats In north
Georgia who were temporarily carried
away with tbe sentimental whoop and
hurrah for tbe old commoner; aud they
will unite with tbe advocates of a straight-
out Democratic nomination, In other pore
lions of tbe State, to save tbe party f*om
the fatal step of giving an organized In
dorsement of IndependentLm and its can
didate*. If there be no Issue between
Mr. Stephens and Mr. Speer, there should
be an Issue between tbe Democratic party
and Mr. Stephens. He should not receive
Its nomination in July, onleas It Intends
to take Speer, Felton and Hook along
with him, and go regularly Into tbe Inde
pendent business.
A Bule’ii Tell.
The gander Is not a pretty bird, neither
bas he a graceful carriage or a melodious
voice, but since that iiule adventure cf
his at Home, some days since, people
hive been disposed to overlook these trif
ling defects and his marked tendencies to
Monnonlaw and to admire bun for his in
trepidity. The youthful student cf his
tory Is Introduced to him as the central
figure in the picture of a higher civiliza
tion. It cati never be forgotten that he
was the savior o! one of the first political
coalitions of which we have mention,
and that tho descendant* of Colo
nels Romulus and Remus were indebt
ed to the tact that he slept on one leg
and with his left eye open, ou the night
that the enemy had almost penetrated
to tho heart of tho Eternal City. If ho
had ducked his head and waddled under
the wood-shed, we might not have been
here to-day wrestling for free government
under Democratic methods. But flap
ping hit sturdy wings and squawking at
tho bold raiders who bad scaled the walls,
the faithless sentinel who alcpt ou hit
post was awakened, and Rome and Tho
world, with all of its possibilities, were
saved.
Wo admire the gander. We have
great reaped for. his courage and
the way in which ho attends to
to his own business, and we look with ill-
concealed displeasure at the attempt to
set up any rival ou a pedestal opposite to
him.
Aod yet we are forced to confess that
he is about to fall a victim to the icono
clastic tendencies of modern progress,
that other agencies, as potential as ho and
far less respertable, are likely to make a
deep impress upon history.
Fromlnent among these new candidates
lor popular applauao and admiration is a
mule’a tail. The mule la neither more
graceful or melodious thau tho gander,
and he is much more mischievous and not
half so courageous, and his tail bas al-
ways^seemed to us a:i utterly usoless ap
pendage.
The mule lies « hide iiupei ViGui tw tuo
seasons and to the assaults of flies and
mosquitoes, and as he never uses his tail
to warn tho colored brother when lip is
going to fire to tbe rear, wo have been at a
loss to know of what uso it might bo put.
Tho horse barbers trim it in the fall season
uutil it looks like the wiper of a six-pound
cannon, but no man has ever seen a bob
tailed mulo. It is held in solemn belief
in horse circles that evon that bold Bur
geon Dr. Benjamin Duggar would hesi
tate to flourish his fleam at a mule’s tail.
If we are wrong In this wo
trust that tho esteemed horse
editor of the Atlanta Constitution will
correct our audacity aud ignorance, but la
such a way at may suggest reformation
rather than to arouse resentment. We are
not too old to learn. But let us return to
tbe mule’s tall. It would seem that this
humble Instrument is to livo in history
aud Is to bo embalmed In tbe memories
of a great and grateful people. Nay, more,
bumblo and insignificant as Is its appear
ance, it lias already played a great part in
tho world’s history, and is likely to be-
como a most ready aud potent political
factor.
As the tale goes (not tbe mule’s tall),
when Jeb Stuart, of Confederate fame,
found himself confronted by au over
whelming force of Federal cavalry, ho was
accustomed to tie a brush to a mule’s tail
and gallop him up and down a road, thus
raisings cloud of dust. The Federal
cavalry^eelng the dust and supposing that
heavy bodies of Confederate cavalry were
forming for a charge, would atampedo
witbeut a fight and seek safoty in
flight* .The trick waa simple, unique,
and successful. John Logao, the V
Moltkeofthe “American conflict,” has
lately announced In the Seuato of tho
United States that John .Pope w*» deceiv
ed, frightened and finally whipped by this
device. Fits John Forter, the gallant
•oldler and gentleman, has suffered untold
wrong, humiliation aud insult, and barely
escaped with his life, all because a Vir
ginia mule pranced along a dusty road
with a brush tied to his tall.
what a slender thread,
to play the mule trick on the
cavalrymen. His moustache fairly
quivered with delight when he
remembered tho ruse, and ho smllud
(trimly and reached luatlnctively for
handle of hit sabre. Wo suggested that
perhaps Noot and Colquitt had been
playing the mule trick on this Congress
man at large business, to keep folks from
looking away down yonder—south by
southeast. We parted.
In tho course of tbe noxt morning we
collldod near tho same spot. Rushing up
to us he oxclalmed, “My dear old fellow
and friend, you wsro right about that
mule trick. The dust can’t scare mo, I
am in the race.”
We cklmly inquired, “What ha\eyou
got to do ?”
“Nothing,” said he, “but to cut my
wheat, and glvo the boys a fish fry on
Saturday.”
Shaking him by the hand a sad fare
well, wo said; “Yea let the hoys fry
their own fish. Cut your wheat and then
put out among your friends, the field for
Congressman at largo ain’t‘fixed;’it is
open for entries.”
War being over, tho mule’s tall may not
only whisk In front of a plow stock In re
sponse to the gontle admonitions cf a
sable statesman, but may become as lively
as a caucus, a coalition or an “advisory
council” In the political world.
To tbe application of tbe moral, font
must be conceded by this time that >
mule’a tail baa a moral.
On Sunday last, while making our way
to dinner, we ran up with an old friend,
a Major General of the late Confederate
States. He was as stalwart In form and
as sinewy In limb as when his sabre flash
ed at tho head of charging columns oi
many a bloody field, and aUlie same time
waa as debonnaire In dress and air as
when he stood the fire of batteries of
eyes from tbe House gallery. Hailing us
with a merry smile and tbe brusque
diallenge ol a foldler, be directly inquired
bow tbe people down our way felt about
a Congressman at large. We responded
that our people did not follow politics as
a business; that they only wanted the
beet men for the offices, and were content
to let tbe convention make the candidates,
and added: “General, why don’t you
offtr?”
He promptly replied: “My dear fellow,
Noot Trammel told me last night that
Grady was tbe unanimous choice of the
convention; that the thing was 'fixed,' and
that tbe petition would be published on
Tuesday.” We quietly told him that fix
ing things was more easily talked about
than done; that not a delegate had been
chosen, and that so far as petitions were
srned they meant nothing—
absolutely nothing. We referred
him to the case of tbe English
judge who signed a petition for hla own
banging, repeated Tom Howard's tale pf
bow tbe petition was gotten up to build a
shedio keep tbe rain off a sun dial, and
gave him our experience bow, after swear
ing we would not, we signed a petition
with, some neighbor* to have a
street widened. When It was done
li waa discovered that a little creature
who, by tome Inscrutable Providence, had
gotten bold of a paper, bad stolen some
land belonging to tbe public, and ever
since be bad published us as a bad man.
We snored him that men would sign
anything that did not amount to an ob
ligation to pay money; that Elder Hook
bad gotten seme gentlemen to sign a peti
tion to Parson Felton to make a speeches nd
then asked him If It bad ever occurred
to him that Atlanta was not the State of
Georgia, and that Noot Trammell .was not
tbr sole proprietor of the Democratic par
ly? . He replied “that he bad reflected
somewhat on these propositions.” We
then reminded him bow Jeb Stuart used j
Tbe Georgia Liar.
We trust that tho heading will alarm
no one. We are not about to diasoct a
political opponent, nor are attempting to
terrorize a brother Journalist at long
range. Our primo dosiro is to offer a few
words of warning to a class ot citizens
who are illustrating Georgia in the North
ern Journals, and the press generally.
Every mall which is laid upon our
desk reinforces the original idea which
prevails in our bosom that we are indeed
a great people. Paper after paper, as it
drops from its wrapper impresses ua
anew with tlio thought that we are, In
fact, an extraordinary people. It makes
no difference from what quarter they
come, Maine, California, Oregon, Texas,
It is ail tho same; somewhere in tho
columns of these exchanges we find
mute tributes to the moral, intellectual,
adventurous, courageous and humorous
qualities of our people. Oho tells us of a
boy who killed a twenty pound wild-cat
with a walking stick In Berrien county;
another relates how a wild woman has
beeuseen in a certain swamp; another
pictures a fanner’s desperate conflict with
a nest of snakes; another describes how a
Georgian rode tho alligator; another tells
of a boy who can work any sum In arith
metic, stand.lng on his head in the sun,
with only on3 “gallus” ou; another
describes the wild flight of a girl oi. tin
wings of a tornado; another pictures subter
raueau discoveries and cave secrets; an
other tells of five hundred bnsheis of oats
to the acre, and others still furnish items
concerning our beast, fish and fowl until
tbe imagination falls with paralyzed
wings, and credulity is stalled. Tbe
worst of it is, that to these scenes, these
accidents by field and flood and curious
bapponings somo Georgia paper’s name is
added by way of authority.
This blind faith in our people la touch-
ing. Let us uot overtax it. Tho gentlo-
inui who has oats so thick that
tlio snakes have to crawl on top
ought to alt down awhile
aud ;ct the country rest; and tho gentle
man with thu four-lioaded duck should
not mention It. during the present pres
sure., Only yesterday a man came to the
office aud said tbet up lu BaruesriUe,
where the conference h id been in session,
two hens came off tbetr nests with broods
and went to fighting; that a boy weut to
separate them, and when the old hen be
caught shrieked loud enough to be heard
a mile, his little sister called out:
“Squeeze Ids neck! Squeeze his neck,
Johnnie! Folk’ll think we’ve got dele
gates stopping here.” Of course
we refused to publish It. We
told him that tbe market was
overstocked at present; that » delegate
bad just beon in and said that Rev. Sim
Jones was out collecting, and said to a
man, “Give me some of the Lord’s mon
ey ! Give it to me quickly i” and that
the fellow had replied “that lie would see
tbe Lords first, and would hand it to him
in. person that having refused to put
forth one ftory, we could not publish tho
other. We do not care to bear our credit
In Northern circles. Tiie fact is, tbe
Georgia liar has established an above-par
reputation for the State, and should re
serve some of his fire for an emergency.
Let him temporarily thrust his fine Italian
baud Iu his pocket aud loaf awhile.
A Pertinent Qnmtlon.
The Macon Tcr.Er.R.u-ii will Rgrae with us
that Die harmony of the Democratic party is
the main thin* to t»e considered Just now.
It opposes Mr. Stephens because It says he
will divide tho Democratic party. Tho only
way for the party to be divided is for certain
elements to bolt the convention and tight the
Democratic nominee.
If there is any one whodutends making such
a bolt It Is bet fair that the party should know
it In advance. We say frankly that the Consti
tution will not do It, but that It will abide tbe
verdict of the convention. Mr. Stepheus has
said with equal frankness that he will bow his
illustrious head to tho convention and accept
lu decree as final. There will be no bolting
from our side of ibe house.
Will the Trlkoraph bolt? Will it help di
vide the party? WIU U submit to tbs will of
the Democratic party os expressed by the con-
veuUou, or will it set up its Jndgmeut against
that of the party ?
We respectful** t^t an explicit answer
to tbU Inquiry. Wo have answered explicitly
on 'onr part Mr. Stephens has answered
explicitly on his part We trust the TztzoRAMi
will answer promptly. It gives about six col
umns a day to politics. It can surely find space
for one line on tills special point
While wc thus urge it to give us an answer,
we do not presume to hint what its answer
should be. W’e ora entitled to an answer, bo-
cause an answer either way would clear np the
situation.
1. If the Tstxaaarn will not submit to the
verdict of tbe conveutlon, it should not go into
the convention. It should not help nuike a
compact that It is determined to disregard.
The Democratic masses should have notice that
it intends to bolt if the convention don't act to
suit Its views. This onra known it will not be
able to do much harm.
2. If the Tele*.it.Mii agrees to abide the ac
tion of the convention, then there will be no
division. Surely tbe Tcunaartt is the most
violent and bitter opponent to Mr. Stephens In
the SUtc. No one can exceed it in determined
opposition. Now, if the Tcixuaaun says it
will support Mr. Stephens if ho is nominated,
there will sorely not be fourd a single Demo-
who will bolt his nomination. If tho
TzLEORAMt wlU toko him after Iho fuss it has
made, no one else can fail to «lo so.
It will thus bo seen that in either event tho
answer of the Txuccaani will be useful to ns
and to the party. We tnui It will favor ns with
an early reply. It has charged tho CoustituUm
and Mr. Stephens indirectly with an attempt
to "bose" the party. We say distinctly, and so
docs Mr. Stephens, that we will let the porfy
•bees” ns. Whatever it does wo will submit.
Will tho Tsxtoaara say aa wtach? Or does It
intend to try to “boss” tho party by setting np
its own judgment against the will of the party
as«xpressed by over three hundred represent-
atlro delegatee T-MtanU CausUtutlo».tiktmst.
We might properly pul the above article
aside, and treat It with tbe silence which
Us Impertinence deserves. We might re
mind tbe Atlanta Constitution that Mr.
a fallen sud-
s suddenly, In
homely
recognize the authority of the Atlanta
Constitution, or of any one else, to ques
tion us as to a line of action to lie based
upon future and very uncertain contin
gencies. The Atlanta Constitution,
though a public journal ot position and
power, is no* the Democratic party. It
may be greatly astonished at this infor
mation, but this will uot alter the fact.
We agree with it in sotng things, and
most heartily in Its assertion “that the
harmony ot the Democratic party Is the
main thing to bo considered just now.'
Our action has been controlled alone by
this sentiment, and for this reason among
others, wo havo opposed the making of
an unwise and unfortunate nomination.
We do not agree with it In the assertion
“that the only way for the party to be di
vided is for certain elements to bolt the
convention aud fight the nominee.” A
party may be divided and distracted by
tho mle of a ring, clique or com
bination. It may bo distracted by a
nomination enforced by the power of
such agancle,. All of th. clement,
may, for tbe i.ka of harmony, aubmlt for
tbe time being, or may stand united be
cause safety demands, but Ilia seeds ol
discord will lw sown nevertheless, tlio poi
son will have been Injected that mskei
disorder, defest sud destruction but s
question of tlmo.
Tbe mission of tho Ucraocrse; of Geor
git neither commences or cuds wltn tlio
present gubernatorial campaign. The
pooplo who liaio planted their hopes In it
look for Trulls far in the future. It is for
this reason, strong others, that tire Tkle-
osArn opposes the nomination of au old
min decrepit lu physique, worn in mind
tnd memory, tnd sturdily backed,
sustained and supported by tbe ene
mies of tbe Uemocrelic party,
between whom tnd himself he Is unable
to find tn issuo. Tho fact that he pro
nounces himself a Bourbon Democrat
raises him not beyond a hundred gentle-
,men in the ranks of the Democratic party
or Georgia as staunch as himself, far
more robust in health, aud with records Id
which thero aro no musing links. We
are straggling for harmony uow, bocaiuq
this harmony is the heat, tho strongest,
tho safest guarantee of harmony In the na
ture. But a week aince and we had to
call tho attention cf the Constitution to
the fact that it assumed to keep every
body out of the convention
but Stephens Democrats. Now it
would seem to prescribe a
test oath for those who may be accredited
by the people to represent them. It de
mands in advtnce a pledge from us that
wo will abide the action of the conven
tion, no matter what that action may be.
no matter how Democratic principles and
practices may be violated and outraged
by its proceedings. We are not a mem
ber of the convention. It Is not within
the range of poaaibliitles that wo may en
joy this honor. Then why apply a cru
cial teat to us, thus far lu advance of a
convention with which we shall have no
active cor.-lection?
Our contemporary saya that If we will
not bolt, nobody elso will. When or
where can it find a suggestion or a hint
from us about bolting ourselves or ad
vising any one else to holt?
Did the Constitution ever bear of onr
bolting at any lime or under any circum
stances? Then why, we should pleased
to bo informed, are we aelected from ths
many Democrata opposed to the nomina
tion or Ur. Stephens and subjected to the
impertinent examination ot the ConttKu-
lion?
It opposition to Ur. Stephens to be con
sidered a declaration of an Intention to
bolt a Democratic convention? If ao,
then It were beat that tb. convention b.
not assembled, for wo _ have assurance
that there ere thousands of good men end
true Democrats In Georgia who, In the
language at the ConsMutton, ere ee ••vio
lently’’ opposed to the nomination of Ur.
Stephens ax we are. We deny tnd repu-
dlate tbe assumption of the Constitution
to pnt ns to the rack. We spam the
Impudent end Impartlnent spirit In which
It hu approached us, and Wut for onr de
sire for harmony, this should be onr only
reply. But we never flgbt under cover-
We never had an opinion of a public man
or e public measure that canid not be
bed for tbe taking. The Consiilnlion
has been but n dull reader of tbe Tam
er it at n il it has not been mada acquainted
with tbia fact.
It Is already on record on this particu
lar point, and It should not have escaped
tbe auention or our contemporary, who is
much quicker at propounding qntaUoae
than in answering them.
On Uay tbe 6tk we wrote in e leading
editorial: “We repeat now wbal we have
before announced,that IT Ur. htepbena do-
•tres to be governor, end seeks
the position as other aspirants
do, is placed upon an acceptable
platform, and is nominated by tbe Demo
cratic convention, be shall have tbe sup
port of tbe TcuonAPn aid Ifiautaou
In no half-hearted wiy.” We neither dot
tn i or cross e t In tbnt paragraph. We
consider and etteem it n duty to try to
urn tba Democratic perty, when others
may seek lu destruction In order to grat
ify their ambitions and to serve their per
sonal lnteresu.
A SPECK OP trAlt.
Emory Kpwr I’aya H!» romplImenU
to the Allan tn t un.tUntlnn. ami the
Constitution Pays Its compliments
to Emory npwr.
CONCEALIN'. Til* TRITH TO DECEIVE.
Wasuingtox, May 31, 1882.* -Editors Cent <-
tutiom I hesitate to address you this letter.
It would b® {terbaps more io accordance with
tbe rules used among gentlemen to Ignore the
publications which you hare of late made
with personal reference to me. It U in some
sort however, proper that you should be com
pelled to publish the reply to your calm*'Dies
in the same medium ihtough which you i«r*
them currency. Surely you daw not supple
ment your defamation by a cowardly refusal to
publish this defense. Conversant as I
the unspeakable llttieucM of your conduct, I
You ray, ”aud '
ore perfectly willing to
hear from'him."
Now. listen to me. Oh May 26th you charged
1th misrepresenting Mr. Stephens and
with tuliig his name without authority. In ex
press termjyou impute to mean "lusldlousate
tempt to deceive and entrap.” On the 28th of
May you say my words were "more than Insid
ious.'' “According to Mr. Stephens they were,'
ousay, false In words and lu spirit. “It is,
'ou say, with well feigned sincerity, “iudeed
difficult to restrain the Indignation which 1*
barely veiled In Mr. Stephens’ words.” Thcso
are your charges, or mine of,them. They were
all based on my opon telegram to Dr. Felton—
oil nothing else, for I wrote nothing else. Now,
"mark how plain a tale shall put you down."
Before me on my desk, appended to anArao*
elated Press dispatch, are a few lines over the „
well known historic signature of Alexander II.
Stephens. They read us follows: "Tho ubovo
is substantially true. What Mr. 8{»ccr
telegraphed to Dr. Fslton was strictly true,
though not by authority from me.
There Is no issue between me and Mr. Speer.
To tn impartial mind this would seem conclu
sive. The evidence Is undoubted—the signa
ture is genuine—the witness Is your candidate
for governor of Georgia, be It cold to your cred-
herd, tell me where” the "Indignation” which
is "restrained with difficulty" and la "barely
' ens’ words.”
•rejndtee n
veiled in Mr. Stephens' i
Your efforts to prejudice me In the minds ot
the {>cople whom 1 represent .Is deliberate and
most malicious, and yet yourjexposure here
made Is so uimplete, your nakedness, as you
stand before the eyes of an smused and con
temptuous public, is so ludicrous that I have
not the heart to be mod with yon.
I/Ct us returi, howeror, to Mr. Stephens.
What Is it that he says Is "nubstantlally true?"
I quote from tbe associated press db{tatch: “7.
(the undersigned) told Mr. Stephens that £
would telegraph them to recommend him as
the peopled candidate for governor. Ins sec
retary furnished me some telegraph blanks
aud 1 wrote the telegram In his room, read It to
him. and at his suggestion altered it in two
particulars.” What 1* it that ho uyi
■ H” What u it that ho uriH
■’strictly true?” The recital lu the telegram,
“I know positively he will not reject such
recommendation, and that If elected he will be
the governor of all tho people, without regard
to party." The statement I have now given is
sufficient to convince any candid mind that
you have grossly misrepresented wluit was a
K trlotlc and honest action on my part. 1 bs*
■veil, and stiil believe, that Ml. Stephens was
of all men the best and most suitable candidate
for governor of Georgia at this Umo. Person
ally, it did not concern me more than any
other citizen of the Stato. who was to be the
governor. 11 did not alfcct my political aspira
tions. I have lieeu twice elected to Congress
without existence from the governor of ticor-
gla.
Is it {-atrlotlc and commendable that you
should ruiiport Mr. Stephens, and insldfoua
#d treacherous that I support him? Is there
no pntriotfam in Georgia, rave in the dedegates
to a convention. 1 claim that 1 have as much
Intercut lu tho Stato—lu its future—In its re
nown—as any other Georgian, and I have the
rame right with other* to support a candidate
for governor. My IndepetidcntUm leads me to
advocate the election of him whom I esteem
the best. Your intolerance and spirit of pro-
KTlptlon impel- ynii to in r.l.-ii me iKTiui-j I
dare be Independent to support your candidate
Allow me to admonish you that a paltry war
fare on individuals, directed by Ignoble mo
tives, U never successful In those happy coun
tries where tlio people -re free to art for them
selves, and for each other. Your object Is to
defeat my re-election. Yon will fall. You
have not even discomposed me, while you ore
confounded. You have made many attempts.
In several ways, to Injure mo. You have failed
In all. You will continue to (all as long as
prejudice aud partisanship are your motires,
and calumny your most potent wcaiipn.
Kxory 8 peso.
. • ’
TassTar’ 4 **"-1
t
Jkl*: