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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION'. ATLANTA, GA* TUESDAY MAY 18 18E6
no
GREETING GORDON.
HOW THE GENERAL. WAS WBL.
COMBO AT AMBRICUS#
A Urf cmwt of .1. TtIimO, M..I HI* .1 Ik. D.p«
^ aooon mm to m. Howl booak. to
room oo too Ifoooo ot tbo Oowpolfn-
Dttior Blow MoUtlooond Boot, mo.
AmBtom, Ob., Moj 12.—[Special.]—The
rcrcBtioB of General Gordon here thil mom-
x iD|t,wt»*!Ith»t hit moot onthttllBOtlc friend,
could have Baked for. The large eoneourao of
people that had aaaemhled to wolooma him at
the depot area atrongtr aognrautad b, aevertl
ceopailea of firemen from adjacent rltlea,
coming Into the tournament upon the name
'train bearing the old Taiwan. Ilia pretence
alone on the platform waaanfBcieot to develop
high enthuaiaam, and mueh time area occupied
in theeeremonjr of pemonaj greetings.
After conaidarahle delay from being thua
engaged, ths general waa placed in the splen
did phaeton of the Prince liroa., draen by
{her malebleat anlmali superbly oeparlvmol,
and. preceded by the band-wagon eml hand,
moved Into the city. Jnst behind the gen
eral’s carriage followed
an unique tubnout,
an ordinary country wagon loaded with one-
legged confederate veterans, one of whom
sustained a banner with the motto, “One
KLeg only, but Will Oat There All the
Hamc.” This conveyance, drawn
by a solitary oxen, intensified tbo
enthusiasm which the presence of (lencral
(lordon momentarily invited on ths route of
the precession. In passing the hotels tbo old
hero was saluted by crowds of ladies in the
balconies. The old yell grant up from the
masses on the pavements until cheer begetting
cheer, the enthuaiaam became general. A large
number of carriages and vehicles completed
the cavalcade, which, aftardeubling the public
square, drew up and dismissed at the Allen
house. Daring the dinner interval be
was welted on by crowds of old soldiers with
pledges of renewed allegiance, and by several
commilieea from neighboring oonntics anx
ious to make appointments for him to address
their people.
This afternoon In the presence of fifteen
hundred people General Gordon was happily
introduced by Mr. Thornton Wheatley, and
held the enthusiastic attention'of the crowd
for more than an hour. In the outset of his
remarks hs mentioned that it had been pre
dicted by his opponents that tho campaign
Was to be a bitter one, and wkilstSdisclalmIng
for.hiniielfallaentimont of this sort, harsvlew-
ed, with the oust pathetic afoot, the period
of real bittern ess during and Immsdlatoly
subsequent to the war. He claimd abundant
reasons for being himself
ik Ttix best reasinbu mmon
with mankind at large. Ue alluded to the
fact that a candidate for anything who had
the hostility of the Macon Telegraph had a
carte blanche to the position to which he
aspired. Be would, therefore, repeat his
meaaagaa of affeolion to that valuable
organ for Its eflorta in his behalf. Refer-
ring to objections to his candidacy, ho
mentioned theono of Hr.Bacon’a being first in
the field. Bo ooold not see how Hr. Bacon
oontd preempt ths right to ran for governor
ofdeorgia, although he might understand how
heoould be barred by the statute of limitation.
Disposing of tho charge that ho had been
brought out by tho Atlanta ring ho mentioned
the fact that ex-Govornor Smith, the most tor-
ribte denunciator of that celebrated
circle, together with the eloquent l>r. Miller,
were among his strougaet supporters, and com
eluded with the statement that the Macon
Telegraph, In speaking of the Mongomery
ceremony, referred to the fact that Judge Rian-
ford,the incorruptlhleJutist,was over there and
would care for Mr. Baron's Interest. Be men
tioned the fket that tho Judge was another onn
of his supporters, and again beggod to tender
the Telegraph his love. Deferring to the ex
pressed apprehension that if elected governor
he and Joe Brown
WOULD STBAI. TUB STATE BOAD,
he would any that It Is a matter of record
that he declined a share of that road, when it
could have been immediately cashed for XV),•
000, and that, therefore, he thought that
any alarm or this sort could bo quietly
dismissed. In relation to ths railroad com-
mission he declared he did not have to make
his record immediately after his candidacy,
That he was Just where he was fifteen yearn
ago. That whilst ths railroads had rights to
ho protected and whilst they were necessi
ties to tho growing wnllkre of tho stats,
he still admonished the people to stand by the
commission. That the power of ths commis
sion should bo seal on sly and acrapnloasly
maintained. Be referred to tho fact of Hr.
Bacon being the candidate of the railroads.
Be did not understand snob
a power, hut he wps born In a
school of politics which taught that the pow
er of the people was supreme.
In conclusion hs Blinded to the usthoda
which were sought to be Introduced in ths se
lection of delegates to the convention, claim
ing that whilst a meeting or a dossn people
might represent thej sente of a county, that
the voire of the people at
BXrXntBD IK PBIMABIBS
was indisputable, and the one correct method.
During the progress of the general's speech,
It was interesting to observe the elTdrt on hit
lady bearers. In bis feeling allusion to the
purled of bitterness, there were few dry eyes
amongst them, whilst the most nprosrous
laughter would greet his happy illustrations
la teaching upon other and more immediate
adhJecta.
The meeting adjourned with cheers fbr (lor
don. audit Is gratifying to his friends to find
that the public pulse in all this section ladi-
caAsa a sentiment of flour to one in hit favor.
General aordnu be Cathbort.
h. MXy 1A—(Hpertal.}—Ac
cording tea pravtous request forwarded to (ten-
aal Gordon at Americas by a large number of
fcl* Maads hs Baudotph county today hs
aamrastad to appear in Cathbort to ad-
l the people upon the Issues involved la
Major ■aeon's friends leaning that General
Gesdsn would bo here telegraphed or wrote
himto that cfiVt asd requested his presence
Also. A committee, beaded by tbs mayor of
Otlhbrrt, went to the depot thU morning at
IhfiO to meet General Gordon and arranged to
eaoaet him np town in the grandest style.
Mgler Bacon aleopat in an appearance but re-
fisshtg to ride np In a Gordon crssrd. and hav-
lamaeweof his own friends present, walked
wlfh one of General 000200*0 friends and
quartered at the sum hotel.
It was agreed by Gonetal Gordon
TO DIVIDE TtMX
with Major Bacon, with the nndontandlng
that Bacon open srlth one henr, Gordon to fol-
law with one and one fbarth bears, and Bacon
la osaclude with fifteen minutes. The court-
rewmaf the new court bouse was selected as
the place, and nine o'clock the hour. I .sag
heron that time crowds of people from dtfihr-
eat portions of tha oeanly began to arrive, and
the enthusiasm for Gordon was so msnifest
that a damper was thrown over the Bacon
crowd, from which they never recovered.
During tha day Major Baeea opened hy reed
ing hie letter in reply to one frees General
Gordon on tbo eubjoct of primary elect ions,
and consumed one-quarter of an hour In read
ing snd explaining the same. The remainder
of his address was token np in trying to prove
Gonrrnl Gordon n financial failure by
attacking tha book enterprise, min
ing enterprise, Southern I.ifa insurance
company snd Florida railroad project.
Occasionally, as ha spoke, there would bo
applauses of ahort duration, and It was evident
be had some frienda in the large audience of
nbont five hundred people. He closed with
out making any marked impression. It was
KOW noEDOK'a TIME.
As be rose from his chair snd began to ad
vance towards tbs stand, ths audience rore as
on* man and ehsered to the esho. Bound
after round rent tbo all, some shooting at tho
lop of their voices; others stamping and bett
ing tbo floor la tho wildest manner possible.
The chairman called in vain for order. It
was not until they hsd erbaustod themselves
would they become quiet. General Gordon
•topped to tbo front end. bowing gracefully
tho scknowlsdgments, began in n well modn-
Inlrd tone onn of tho grand oet
efforts ever listonad to In Randolph
county. His hcarors wors In perfect sympathy
with him upon every question, and as hs sent
blow after blow Into tho enemy's esmp, the
enthoslasm was intense. Taking Major Bacon
up lie showed him to he the candidate who
should be burred by U10 statute of limitation.
Major Bacon goes about miking assertions
against him, ind when railed upon for his
witnesses, gives Fred Ward, who Is now en
joying llfo In Bing Sing. On he went, cover
ing the whole field and answering every cal
umny hurled ngsinet him by the friends of
Major Bacon in language calculated to con
vince the most skeptical.
As the goncral poured In his grape snd
canister, the Bacon men wonld hang their
heads, snd worn so completely pot to route
that they never recovered. When hs elosod,
tho applaote was deafening.
Major Bacon attempted to catch Uroatton-
lion of tbo audloaee, but with poor effort. Us
finally exolalmed to ns to bo beard:
“Gentlomen, you are welcome to hollow as
much as you please, If yon will make op the
time to mo."
Quiet waa at length restored, but Major
Bacon was so completely overcome by ths
expremlon In favor of General Gordon that ho
never recovered from Its offset. Hie fifteen
minutes wore employed with poor effect.
During his concluding remarks ho failed to
elicit a single response and closed amid ahouts
for Gordon.
When Major Bacon cl need tho crowd rush id
within the bar snd
COUHTID A SOUND UKNEUAL OOtDOK
In large numbers. About this time some ono
presented the general with a handsome floral
offering from tbs ladles, who were present in
largo numbers in tho gallery, and turning to
then, bo exclaimed:
'If the ladles wore entitled to vote I would
I10 elected by 110,000 majority.“
Mq)or Bacon departed in n vary anlet man-
tr Immediately upon concluding, and
walked with n few friends to tbs hotol.
General Gordon, after an informal reception
of a few minutes, during which time numbore
of old soldiers took occasion to grasp him
warmly by the hand, loft for the depot, taking
tho train for tho up country.
One young mau, more enthusiastic than
somo others, best bis lino walking onus into
mate of splinters, and holding it up In an ad
miring crowd of llstnore aftor ths speaking,
ho exolalmed:
“Jnst as I have worn to a frasala this eanq.
of mine, likewise has General Gordon served
Major Bacon today.’’
It has boon a picnic for General Gordon,nod
it is ths general opinion that hn will have
walk over In Randolph county.
GORDON GETS LEE.
Lse County (Hm Gordon M Votes to 07 for Bum
Tbo OonrtbouM Bln* Bmulud to SmtttisrMas
by on Uprising of tbo Poopto-A Viotory
That Prepares tbo Woy Cor Others.
Major llncon In AufniU.
Auaun-A, On., May 11.—(Special.]—Hon. A,
O. Bacon was serenaded at the central hotel this
evening, and In reraonso to reposted calls lion. K.
II. May announced that Mr. Bacon would address
■he throng from Iho temporary structure erected
for tho Judges In the firemen's contest which oc
curred today nod which was directly In front of
tho hotel across the street,
rabitaaro, be said that he oano to
aorta on a Hying trip with no thought of a speech
For months the question of selecting a democratic
candidate for governor had been considered calmly
by Ibc people. The nanus of several distinguished
gentlemen had been suggested, but nearly nil hsd
declined. Only Iwo avowed candidates remain-
cd In this canvass which was absolutely devoid
of excitement or fooling. Tho IS acral drill or
preference seamed to net steadily In ooa direction.
Tbo popular mind was adjusting Itself to ctrcum
Manets as to tha result One ot the trowed candl
dawagraotftillr retired. With hla retirement came
the excuse that U waa neoemary that team one
commanding towering fOnn should appear on the
scene to heal the dlvlateoaand unite tbo fatuous.
All was peace when Gecdon looped Into tha arena
with dramatic accompaniment. With positions
reversed, Baron would never have acted os Gordon
did. The campaign will be bested, but Bacon rrlN
exclude Improprieties. There would ho no dirt-
slinging on bis port Legitimate Usun would ho
dlaeuaed, personal acta bo crlUetaod, but uncle so
scandal would find no mention (torn him.
Oneiubjcrllnow carnoaUy concerns the public
mind-lire railroad !commission. Ilia position
was tally staled In the Bain letter. The railroad
comarMoa waa a fixed Institution of ths stelo.
There should bo no antagonism between tho
railroads eud Ibc people, and a wise commtulon
lathe best means to prevent It Us bad In Ibc
qumllon the Interest of any other eltlien.
He never owned a share or dollar
worth of railroad Mock. The penitentiary quo.
lion was a second matter of Importance. Ito
thought tbc present contracts valid, and that they
should not be disturbed. After the expiration of
Iho contracupul the convicts to building public
roads snd other public works of like character.
1'ouvlel labor should not he tho means of private
speculation. Again, couvict labor should not be
opposed to free labor. He had himself never breu
dirertlTor Indirectly concerned In any convlol
lease ot speculation. The third buslnem question
was tho disposition of tha Stale road, lie hinwoir
opposed tho sale of tha state road. Ho preferred
to tease under also provis
ions, but whether sold or lomed
It ibould bo done with an eye single to the public
good, lflcssed, U should be held hot nominally,
tut lit fart hy cllliens of Georgia. The final reason
against tbc sale Is that the revenue from tho same
afionls the strongest guarantee of the hind for the
aislnM.xi.ro or the public schools without resort
ing dtrrnly to property taxation. Tha public
schools and Institutions of eharltykhould hs main
tained snd fostered to an extent practicable with
out Increaatag taxation.
Ho ttfemd to the fraudulent bond question as
s adjudicate, but thought It proper to keep the
msib-r In Ibc minds of the people, as ths balden
o>;..ld bands wen untiring In guttle derides hy
whit-h they sought to reviveUrrquestion.
lit- challenged the closest scrutiny of his rsooid
In the legislature. "If." said he. “upoo examina
tion of my record you find that I hare abandoned
no duly and hare been false to no Iran, I ask that
!«u alii accept that fact is an awuaaoe of m>
tidellty tu the future."
Tha ttrecaa llagbss.
At-worrii, Us., May 8, 1886.—Editors Con-
at button: Don’t you think U la reuwt brassy for
Major Paeon to complain at General John B. Gor
don's resignation at Polled Mates senator, when
he (Baron) resigned the place of adjutant of Urn
Ninth Georgia regiment after tho WUUaanhnrg
eklimUb. the tirsl year of the war, and came home
to Georgia to take a place In tho reams hoary de
partment, where he remained the balance of the
aar, in a good safe bomb-proof* A man's war
record probably has nothing to do with polities
now, but then la one old coated that will never
role for a aw who left the bullet department foe
a bombproof, and now calls himself a galtaat
roofed, yon hilt Thee* is not n so ret TOT of this
regiment that went through the war that wffl rote
KravwGn
tRBMwnrrg.
I.EESBUBa.Gi., Msylfl.—[Special.]—Ootdon
has met the enemy, snd put him to route.
The old soldiers hare rebuked tho effort to
crash the hero open whom Loo rolled In his
hour of trial.
The people hare broken tho ring, and alter
tod their dignity.
Klghty-four votes for General Gordon against
fifty-seven for Major Bacon tells tho story.
Lee county was solid Car Bacon. Through
persona! visits) apponlj to old frienda, and
promlaea of support extracted long before ths
canvas opened, Major Bacon foil that the vote
of Leo was n prise already dangling from his
belt. Even when tbs first announcement of
Gordon's candidacy reached tho people, so
satisfied were they that Bacon had foraciosed
bis preemption that they felt no Interest in it.
Then charges began to be circulated against
Gordon's right to consideration booaosa of his
gallant record in tho war. Thisaffmtto with
hold from bravo men the reward of merit
won in ths boor of peril, aroused
old aolldtra of Leo. Moo who had followed
Gordon's standard into the yawning holl of
federal shot and shell, resolved that their old
leader should not be sacrificed to courthouse
methods. It waa with enthusiasm, therefore,
that them men witnessed the arrival of Gor
don hero yesterday, and no Isis enthruad were
they to see Major Bacon.
The two men were fare to fare. If General
Oordon failed to dear liia name, It meant die
aster. With thrilled hearts the men Of Lee
listened to the gallant Gordon. Not only wore
they glad to aeo their belief in
his fidelity sustained, bat onn
by one, Baron men though they bad
been np to that moment, they began tochangs
to Gordon. Two days before bat two pro-
nonnted Gordon men were In ths county.
When ths general left for Cathbort Inst night
It was 'evident that ho had deft n revolution
behind him.
Tha mast meeting of today tolls how com
plete was tho revolution. It tolls that where
tbo people are called out Gordon Is taro to
win. When tho resultwas announced a mighty
yell went up—Jnst inch a yell as Gordon's
gallant followers often guvs when
ganging after their old chief Into the
ranks or tbo enemy. Loo county had vindica
ted ono of tho noblest sons of Goorgia from
foul aspersion! east upon him by placo-hnnt-
log rivals; they repudiated tho right of any
man to “homoatead” their vote; they assortad
tho right of tho people to bo hoard ovan under
tho difficulty of having to walk miles to tha
courthouse. If n primary election had been
held laetoed of n mess meeting, Gordon would
have boston Bacon elx to one.
Bow Did Ho Trent Iloynton T
Editohh Constitution: Major Bacon says
In his apcsch that tuuler tho circumstances hs
would not have colored the not against General
Gordon, as Gordon entered tho raoo against Mm.
This Implies a delicacy or sentiment that Is do-
verting of credit, If it Is sincere, Iiutfi It ilnoera:
let ns see.
Upon Mr. Stephens' death Hr. J. |3. Boynton,
president ofthe senate, became governor by pro-
motion. He wax thus forced by no ambition of
hix own Into n position where be must run for
governor, or lose bis xcifrevpect. To. be beaten
out of a position into which he bad come by pro
motion, In leas than three months after ho bad
entered It, would mean his political overthrow.
What did Mr. Bacon do thenf Ho was not In the
race. There was no reason for hlx running ex
cept bis personal ambition. He could hsvo wait
ed with perfect grace until the expiration of Got
ernor Boynton's term and thus prerented thst
gentleman from tho humiliation or being turned
outofaplooolnto which he had gone through no
ambition of hit own.
Did bo do tbit 7 Not ot all. He rtuhed into the
dgbt even before Mr. Stephens’* corpto was In the
grave, and the blUeraets of the tight made in his
lntercet against Governor Boynton will long bo re*
membered. It resultod lu that gentleman's do*
gal
Now let the public consider the dllforenoe be*
tween these two cate*. Iloynton was trying to
maintain a petition Into which he bad been placid
by the death of Mr. Stephens, and not by any am*
bUion of hit own. He realised that unless he
maintained that position by a popular vote It would
be a deep and bitter disaster to him. How can
Major Bacon, who disregarded Boynton's feelings
end hurried Into tbo race against him, now com
plain that General Gordon oaten an open field to
contest It with him. Major Bacon Is defending no
position except what be has gone Into deliberate
ly, through tbs promptings of his own personal
ambition, and hs who disregarded Boynton's ap
peals canuot complain that General Gordon has
been deaf to his. __ H.A.L.
Me Waa Collecting "Tax In Kind.**
Editobs Constitution : I sea a statement
from one of the Ninth Georgia regiment that Major
Bacon resigned bis position as adjutant early in the
war and joined t he commissary department. I heard
a gentleman today my that he saw Major Bacon
in llawklusvllle In the foil of 1863 and staid with
him for some weeks. Major Bacon was then col
lecting "tax In kind" for the confederate govern
ment, being, as this gentleman thinks, a collector
for that district. 4 submit this for the Information
of the public. I do not think be was in the com
missary department, but In the Impressment de
partment. ____________ 31st Gju
Governor Smith In KHOajr Next Wednesday#
Ex-Governor James M. Smith will address tho
people of Gilmer and the surrounding oountlos on
"mi ntOFIsB ANt> Till roitrOBATIOXS"
on next Wednesday, the 19th Inst.
Governor Smith says: “There U but one Issue or
importance betoceflleorfiau*—that is, shall the cor
porations rule the people or shall the people rule
themselves?"
Governor 6mtth will speak In Mvor of “the rail
road oommiastoa law as it stands." Governor
smith is an earnest and open supporter or General
John B. Gordon.
publication was authorised by you. Desiring to
conform to what appears to beour chosen medium
of communication. I reply to the same through
the public press. You and 1 were both In Savan
nah during ihe past week and daily met each oliur
penonally. In now drooling your desire that we
agree upon a plan by which, tn the pending eon-
test, "the will of the democratic people of Georgia
cad be best ascertained." 1 might, with propriety,
expreas some surprise that you failed to avail your
self of the opportunity thus presented to then con
fer with me relative to the proposition which
you now make. It would not hare been
premature for you to have done so, as, if you were
correctly reported, you wen* then actively canvass-
irg for support among those whom you there
met.
In response to your proposition I make the fjl
lowing reply : As 1 understand It, the custom
the party In this state has been for the executive
rotrmitiee to fix the date and place for
the afsemhllng of the convention and
the basis of representation. The conn
ties have always been ? left: to deelde for them
selves the manner In which they should chaoso
their delegatee. Some of them have adopted the
plan ot primary elections and others have made
their selections of delegatee through the
means of mass meetings. I believe the peo
ple of the several counties are folly
capable of determining fbr themselves which plan
Is best adapted to their convenience end the
proper ascertainment of the popular preference.
Whenever they choose to resort to a primary elec
tion. their action will meet with my full approval.
Wherever, oo the contrary, they decide to meet to
gether in open mam meeting. I shall acquiesce in
their action, t believe that the democratic
voters of the several countie* can
tenninc better than the executive committee
or perhaps better than you or myself the mode
best stilted to the situation of their several com
munities. The only office of the executive com
inlttcc is to supply the need of a head to the organ
(ration. W ith that accomplished, I favor the largest
liberty of action to the people, and the smallest
constraint or dictation by either committee
candidates. I am opposed to centralised power
all kinds whether It is found in the private organ
ization or Individuals for their own person
al political ends or in the committees ntoessary
psrty machinery.
As those who are known to be your political
friends have In the past very largely profited by
the use of the mode* of proeeedure which have
heretofore been pursued, It is to be presumed
that you will not condemn the
same as having In those Instances foiled to ascer
tain honestly and fully “the will ot the democrat
ic people of Georgia."
I have never feared a full expression of the pop
ular will. I have no fear of it now. I shall be
satisfied that such ]>opulsr will shall find its
expression in the manner in which the
people of each county shall determine
for ihcmsleves, You will pardon mo for saying that
the time has come when party policy In this state
should be shaped without reference to tho wishes
of candidates. Conventions and elections are held
presumably 1n the Interest of the people rather
than In the Interest of candidates, and the wishes
of the former should never be made suheervent
the Interest of the latter. The executive com
mittee might recent aslmpertiuent any attsmpt
on our part to dictate its line of action,
and the people would certainly repudiate any efi
fort of the committee to control or restrict their
mode or procedure In the appointment or dele
Bo for as 1 am personally concerned I will be
content to abide the result of either primary elec
tions or the action of mass meetings in the several
counties according to the best judgment aud prefer
ence of the people thereof.
Very respectfully yours, A. O. Bacon.
In Bacon a Railroad Attorney ?
Editors Constitution: General Gordon
says that Bacon la tbo candidate of the corpora
tions; and It Is no doubt true. Anyway he is ■
railroad attorney, and the Bacon people say,
What If bo IsT Well, what If he is? "Doth not
the ox know his master (the man he works for)
and the a>s his master’s crib?" Of course lie does
or.d may ltbessld of railroad attorneys and rail
the so called Brown "bargain and sale’’ scandal, to
the injury of General Gordon. Let the thunder-
Progress of tbo Campaign.
The Marietta Journal, in an admirably
written editorial, exhausts the whole subject be
tween Oordon and Bacon thus:
'There are two avowed candidates now before
thcji
several terms, llo also has been a candidate for
overnor before the last two democratic conveu-
Ions, and foiled both times to be nominated. Not
discouraged, he has been traveling over the state
last two months preparatory to "Axing"
_ la poll
cry dlstastcfol to us, yet, as a journalist, w
confronted with these two candidates only, one of
whom we must choose and the other reject.
Bacon creates no enthusiasm In our heart
IboirroMKCtiToepantiss for
"cany the people In their poeketa" and will be
able to "deliver tho goods" remains to be seen.
"We are for Gordon, because to bo against him
to esbibit an Ingratitude we cannot afford to dl
*’ **. was who helped to redeem Soul
Louisiana and. Georgia froi
radical misrule and bayonet oppres
sion and helped us in Ibis district when Bacon
skulked behind his dignity and kept ellent Gor
don showed bis patriotism, bis love for bis people
imd partjr bj^hu works, and a friend in need Is a
"We are fbr Gordon, because he was a gallant
confederate soldier, Robert K. Lee’s right-band aud
trusted general, who led in the fore-front of battle,
and carries on bis manly cheek the sabre scar or
his bravery.
“We are for Gordon because the peoplo Mooted
Its parallel only when rtldcn waaTcounted out of
the presidency snd Hayes counted In, and now we
want to see that flagrant wrong righted.
"We are for Gordon because the old confederate
veterans, who, in the days of danger and death,
abated with him the triumphs of victory and the
sorrowa ot wdefeat, do not wish to humiliate his
f trood spirit or dim the lustre of his renown by de
rating him with their votes.
“We are for Gordon, because we believe him to
limits of the state.
Was Ho Tax Oathsrer or Soldier *
Epitosa Constitution : It has been stated
positively that Major Baooo resigned hU place as
adjutant of the Ninth Georgia just when the
fighting begun, and came home as a commlmary.
On the other band, some of his papers eay that
he fought as long aad as gallantly as Gordon.
Which U tight T
Your correspondent says he saw him in Pulaski
In IMS, when the ooys of the Ninth Georgia were
itiag like heroes In Virgtaia, collecting the tax
kind imposed on tbo formers by the gevern-
A. gentleman in
In 1M9. and that l
commissary depar
department ThU geutleman speaks
very podtfvely. _
OxkWuoWaxt* to ltxow.
Major Baron's Letter.
Arr.mTA, Ga. May 10.—[Special.]—The
following is Major Bacon's reply to General
Gordon's letter of May 8th. as to the mode of
eelcettng candidates to the gubernatorial
nominating convention:
Macon. Go.. May 10, i««.-General John B. Gor
don, DeKalh county, Ga.: Dear Sir-I find pub
lished In the Telegraph, The Chronicle and Tux
the state of Sunday a letter which
purports to have been addremed by you to myrolf.
I iidve mttved no tarh letter but-presume U*
Jic gift of the people and Major B
right to claim thst his prior candidacy for three
times elves him a hr mcstcad on ft. and all others
should be considered Intruders who ask the people
for their suffrage. We are for Gordon because
Bacon has shown a persistency and a greed for the
office that Is disgusting. Wr are fbr Gordou be
cause we prefer nlm to Baron. 'That’s honest.'"
The Campbell County News "voices the senti
ment of Campbell county when we say that of
the candidates In tho field wo favor General Gor
don."
Th
ttrj
The men.’of rouraei an* expected to be there; for
most of them bear a tender spot in their hearts for
(he gallant and heroic general who was always
forr most In the bloody battles of the " lost cause,"
andwhot— * ‘ * * —
They wlli be wise and i
*Tbe
has crceVro iu shire of ulkT
Ionian observes:
As we feared. More Indiscreet member of Major
Bacon's old rectmont insinuates lu The Constitu
tion that he rretened the “bullet department'’ to
get a bomb proof.
As if probably to answer the above, the Athens
Banner appeals to the gallant boys to bear In mind
‘•when you are urged lb vote for General John B.
Gordon on account of his being a soldier, that Ma
jor O. A. Bacon la equally as deserving of your
support on that account, and that he rsraa jmt ai
i eertalaly
rarry Pulaski county. In a chance gathering of
fire ot the Hawklnsrille lawyers every one of
them was for Gordon, and they were unanimously
of (be opinion that Pulaski county would give
him a lance majority, sons of them areeninx con
fidently that he would defeat Major fiaeou tu the
county by a ma jority of four or five to oar
The Marietta Journal nr
"Bacon" U not i
Baoou didu't stay
moll the smokr 1
The Bainbrldi
smell the smoke, he Is not i
The Balnbtldire Democrat, whicu was a »
ortan tn the COiouiU-Nonruod campaign, r
Gordon's candidacy as follows:
1 l rind In the Macon Weekly Telegraph, sent me
yesterday, an article taken from the Baxley Ban
ner. ? here the editoraays: If all other Gebrglaai
think as we do, they are uot willing to have (Mr.
Gordon) use our office* of public trust to fortlier
him in his business “snd speculations in other
nates." Now Mr. Editors, I want to know wheth
er or not the edition of said, Baxley Banner. -
native Georgian? Where was this astute e
during the days when wo were being carried
through that heart-rending crucial test of fire and
bloodshed: which so clearly and unmistakably
toted and proved the manhood, patriotism, and
Integrity of Georgian* M ©JJ
shame, that any Georgian would attempt
to statu the pure and unsullied escutcheon of the
trend and Hon. John B. Gordon. I am for Gordon,
grand and Hon. John B. GOTO on. i am ior uuruuu,
first, ls*t and all the time, and hope to see the day,
and shall rejoice over having given my Influence
In placing in Georgia's gubernatorial ctaatr one
more of the bleeding and scarred veteran* of the
lost caure, I have a warm love for all true
Georgians; nor would I dare to detract in any wu
ibc merit and worth of any of the honorable aspir
ants to gubernatorial honors. But, sir, I can t help
from smaking out In meettn', a* manv thousand*
are doing from the mountains to the peatmr!.
Hurrah for John It. Gordon, the people's cliolcel
I trust the democratic executive committee of
Georgia will recommend primary elections, and
thereby bring on that long desired good time, when
the people's will shall rule and not that of
irg politicians.
General Gordon has proposed to Major Bacou
that they unite In a letter to the state committee,
asking that the county committee* In the state
shall act In the gubernatorial canvass by prima-
ilot and tint lot ritnrpntifins fllllllM
candidates would unite in s wiih
thst the peoplo should settle this question, and
that (he practice of having a little convention at
the county scat to act for the people would be
changed.
The following note from Polk county'is sugges
tive: “in 1868 General Gordou addressed our peo
ple here. From thst dsy to this thore Is no office
that our county would not overwhelmingly give
him. Every follower of Simmons la this couuty
has gone solid for Gordon."
Mr. H. It Cook, of ThomMville, writes thst
Bacon man and Gordon man were discussing the
popularity of the*
on the Savannah, riuriua nuu nnmu IWBU. toiiu
finally agreed to leave H to the car. The result was
2T> for Gordon aud 1 for Baoon.
A letter from HawkiusvlUe says of Gordon's
candidacy:
The announcement of the candidacy of General
Gordon will give pleasure to many here. While it
has been charged that Atlanta gobbles up the fat
offices. Is It not true thst Macon Is really the town
that la chargeable with rather a wnotesale monopoly
in this line, and still seeks to extend the business?
lu Anderson she has the attorney general: In R. U.
Hardeman, formerly of Macon, she has the
treasurer: in Jackson and Hall she has two of the
three supreme court judges; In Blount she has a
congressman: in Bimraons a superior court judge;
in John Hardeman she has a solicitor general;In
Bscon or Simmons she now wants a governor. She
setms to be well represented, and we admit
worthily so; but the state can improve on the
gubernatorial ticket presented
which to construct a governor, ouc .. t * a ua>u.
and to give her governor she would Just about fill
all the public offices. If she had a better nun for
governor than any other part of the state could
produce, then we say wo ought to take him; but In
John B. Gordon a superior man is presented, and
ono who has more claims upon the people.
Mr. George P. Elliott, of Conyers, Inquires what
General Gordon’s middle name is. as he has a fine
boy ba!»y that he wants to name after him.
A w ell posted traveling man says that General
Gordou will uc* * *“' ‘*’ *“ *“ *
Point.
The Cedartown Advertiser gives the latest report
from Polk county In the following:
General Gordon places himself before the people
upon his merits, and nothing could be fairer, more
honorable or more commendable than the declar
ations and the propositions ho makes to the people
aud to opposing candidates, and nothing more
magnanimous and true than his willingness to
abide the decision of the people as expressed
through representatives selected. General Gordon
is well known to all Georgians, and his record as a
soldier and a statesman are the heritage of tho
people. Possessed of talcn t. experience, integrity,
a broad view, a conservative, liberal mind, an«l
both financial and executive ability, he would
make Just such a governor as the state of Georgia
ought to have.
jucifiinnviiieouQ. uuucr uicneau oi "jouu
B. Gordon, the chamnieu of southern rights; the
name dear to every old confederate veteran; the
mau who has stood by ua in adversity as well as
prosperity; who hsd the manhood ana grit to face
carpet-beggers and thieves, and has carried a re
cord unstained and unsullied," prints the follow
ing ringing editorial:
The Sun is democratic to the core; not the repre
sentative of any man—any set of men—nor clique
clan, but the representative of the paodla.
— «- *- —
hark r
John B. Gordon at her masthead. Wa launch
fearlessly, because from mature deliberation we
feel that we are backed by the will of the people,
and beUeve further that that will will bo
spoken and become eflbctual at tho proper
time. We admire General Gordon aa a soldier—
hlch Gen-
— we could
but naturally admire the record of any old soldier
w ho took pari tn that aad and over deplorable con
flict. But this Is not the reason wby we advocate
Gordon. We admire his record as a statesman and
believe that In his every action he has acted what
be though to be the beat part for his
constituents. We advocate nlm becaasc
bis undisputed ability. That _ he is an
mtive man no one wUl vw
i with a giant intellect. 1l. . _
bioad minded, liberal sentiments no one wlU deny.
We are sensible that a great many of the news
papers of Georgia have already committed them-
reives and are forced to believe that they have ad
vocated men prompted by a sense of their popular
ity and uot a knowledge of their executive ability.
That the people want to speak their will
through primary elections is evident. The Rome
Courier strongly Indorses General Gordon’s propo
sition and says:
"General Gordon’s proposition that primary elec
tions are the beet mode of ascertaining the prefer
ence of the people betwcou candidates meets our
hearty approval, as regards the three or four
counties that have already appointed delegates to
the state convention. It may be tuapnliable now
because it might lead to contest* aud dl visions, but
In lu general application the proposition Is certain 1
ly a fair one. There never was a greater mockery,
as General Gordon suggests, than the appointment
of delegatee by the chairman of a meeting or by a
committee appointed by the chairman. As Gen
eral Gotdon Intimates, delegates thus selected will
lie likely to represent tbs preference of the chair
man, but they may be in direct antagonism to the
popular will. We have already had too much of
tbw kind of party management, oven in Floyd
county. We hope that General Gordon's tugges-
lion will be accepted, at least lu lu application to
counties that have not already appointed their
delrijate*. It will go Jar to repress faction and
The Madison Madisonian recalls the foot thst It
is * committed to primary elections for delegates to
all conventions, count '■“***
llevcsno other plan
with all our hr “ *
gestion m this r .
The Douglssville Bear runs up the name of Gen
eral John B. Gordon for governor, and says of his
letter:
Ilblstfor. u ercryUilnf oUe bs ura or writs,,
bwthortng of pure gold. We hotrt bl, non to
tbo top ofour mutbssd, u our chofos tor gor-
—tor. snd hope hswUI osnr tbo Statab, a larger
ijorltrtbaaonr Seu»lor Colquitt dU. Wo rajr
.M.sscbssre and n Ugsr tor lbs icarrad toco Midler
nr bo has tjwajra tn field aad forum, so nobly rep-
TbsHaoonKrenlnrKfira, a ftaoon organ, ae.
DOfelsdfM that “With Qsnaral (Jordon baton tbo
.qopls.sTsry oua agree. Ural It win be , close
Baht Wean,bowarer.aantnlneor Ibe firm re
mit—Ibe nomtoulon and election ot Hr. Bacon.
The people of Georgia own thl, to Mr. Bacon."
Th, bo lav bo, Enquirer-Sun koocki the muffing
‘tb, ‘-proprietary claim'' Iho, art up by tho
when It declare, that no nun “Ini any
claim upon the gubernatorial chair that the Totem
—r compelled to reeotnlre.'' The Sun then goes
to **, r -General Gordon has as much right to
be a candidate ea any other man, and Uke any
ooeylae be mual Hand or taU on hla mertta*
TWO Uaralaon Banner Is a rUdent partisan of
Major Bacon. Ha editor b Mr. A. B. Pitta. Attest
ing of the executive committee of Raralaret nee
been celled to take action oo the .election of dele
galea The chairman of Ibatmnmlttee la abo Mr.
A. B. nils. If Chairman A. R Fitta, while aalect-
tng the committee to report delegate,, b like-
minded wtth Editor A. B. glut. Ibere would be no
difficulty In telling whet kind of a committeeihe
would select. Primarr election, by the people will
remove ell cenae of complaint.
A communication to toe Barlv County New* from
Fort Gains* seems to dlflhr with tbo editors of the
two papers of thst town, boili of whom are Bacon
wen ard declare that day Is solid for their favor-
ue. for bo writes that "re for as I have been able
to *ee or bear, the county U almost solW for Gor
don. though Bacon has some staunch follower*
v» bo will do all they can to carry the county for
him.
Tho hind of patriotism indonod in tho coo-
rlBdtnp icatetuv of tho following paragraph from
the Wotrentoo Clipper, o Bacon organ, U referred
to the men who spent font years on Uw bloon*
fields of Virginia: Di00,, J
And now the charge Is brought against Rtmn
that he left tbc ranks of his reglaentand took!
enough to do the aeme thing U not lntellectuaii?
qualified for the reaponalbje position of a goT« T -
The same story Is Indicated la the Bparta lib.
nraellte, thua:
Two week, ego, had n rote been taken. Han.
rock would b»e been almost solid tor Bacon
but the candidacy of General Gordon puts t dir.
ferent complexion on things. “Gordon men"»r,
•Monbhlngly thick alTMdr, snd the Issue in this
county b already In doubt, with the tendency
strongly in favor or Ike now candidate. Thb tr
the outlook at Ihb writing is it presents ftaaif
the Ubmaelite. Wo are gfad to «y that no p “
poSan'bere’* 1 ° r biUetIle< * h** entered the cam.
1 he frienda or General Gordon In Richmond are
write there will not be-tlieslightest doubt of Go*
don sweeping the count/. They will give him a
rousing reception next Wednesday.
Under the courthouse plan, the resident of the
countyrite can vote at horns, while the former in
the militia district must leave his crop and walk
ten or fifteen miles to Had the meeting already ad
journed. Give the militia district a chance to
vote.
The citizen of a militia district should be con-
Milted as well as the resident of the county site.
Give them all a chance,
Hon. Bam J. Winn, of LaWreneeville, writ**: "In
the life and character and person ot General John
B. Gordon, the honor and chivalry of the south U
more perfectly symbolized than iu any living
American. He has hosts of friends in old Gwin
nett wbo will zeslonsly guard his Interests."
The Dslton Argus has this:
The Citizen, noting Gordon's candidacy, says:
"We fear trouble, and they who precipitated
things will be hold to acoount." The only (nmole
that we have heard Intimated?* that if Gordon is
nominated. Bacon will antagonize him as an inde
pendent. Possibly the editor of the Citizen Lt in
he major's confidence.
The Katonton Measenger says:
We state with confidence that Putnam county Is
or Gordon by a large majority. Bacon’s followers
wouldn’t amount to a corporal's guard after oae of
Gordon's ringing speeches here.
The announcement of John B. Gordon forgover-
* will
... are aaxi-
speak and he has promised to do
so icon.
A writer in the Milton Democrat aayr “Tho
letter of Hon. A. O. Bacon to Mr. Don Bain, Of At-
ibc Buuuuaccmcai ui juiiq uuniou uj
nor Is hailed with delight by our people,
carry this county overwhelmingly. We ai
ous to bear him speak and he has proml*
for Bscon until General Gordon came out. but I
am now for Gordon all over. Ido not think there
arc ten Bacon men In Falrbnrn, and Gordon will
carry this county ten to one."
A correspondent from Amcricu* writes: "The
strength of Judge Simmons in this section has
gone almost solidly to Gordon. Even the Baoon
men admit thst Gordon will carry Sumter without
Macon, and before getting to this plaoe, or at Ten-
Why this unrccmiy haste?" That Is a question to
which the honest voters of the state will demand
an answer before the discussion Is ended. On the
same subject the DeKalb Chronicle says:
Calling mass meetings and sending delegates to
a convention (bat has not been called la unprece
dented in political history and doesn't strike ns as
Just the proper thing.
The Cartenvlllc Gouraut says that General Gor
dou "Hands squarely on the railroad commission
aud docs not dodge, or attempt to do ao, this most
Important question. This alone will make him
frienda by the score."
The Butler Herald regrets that Bacon, as well as
Simmons, did not see fit to retire at once from the
race, “thus leaving to General Gordon the nomina
tion without opposition." The Herald then says
that General Gotdon
—will not only receive the nomination, but will be
triumphantly elected. General Gordon has shown
himself to be a good and pure man, and we doubt
not he will wisely and patriotically discharge the
duties of tho high office to which he aspires and
will nodoubt be called. While the office will re
flect honor on him, he will not at least detract
from the place.
The Brunswick Appeal comet to Gordon’s stand-
ys he has l
the solicitation ol many friends all over the state.
Wc believe he truly so declares, because, thp people,
wbo have witnessed the ways of tho railroad man
agers and Intend to defeat their evil machinations
against the railroad commission, determined to
antogonizethe railroad candidate: and lt Is these,
as wc understand, that have called Gordon Into
the field. Of courae it spoils the slate and the rail
road organs howl wl h rage. Theflxing of a por
tion of the tress and the^sUll hunt" will go for
nothing. Gordon will go at once upon the stump
and meet his enemies face to. foes.,, .He wiu
not seek to conceal his views upon
any question, no will answer the people’s ques
tion* and crush out the Insinuated slanders urged
against him. He wants nothing conceal jd from
the people In this canvass, and that's whit hurts
his opponents.
Hin & Co., of Americas, displayed In front of
their office, over Toole, McGsrrah & Tondee’s ware
house, a banner on which was Inscribed; 'Ths
general got left in Macon, but he got there *U tho
■eme."
The Dublin Post scents defeat for Baoon, and
its he Is "climbing np the golden stairs" It
i better to be an angel, anyhow, than a governor.
The democratic executive committee of Laurens,
meets in Dublin next Tncsday.
Douglas county will select gubernatorial dele*
gates on July 22d. . .
Pierce county wUl select delegate! on the fourth
Saturday in June. .
HaN county wiU select delegates on the first
Tuesday In June,
Carroll county will act on the first Tuesday in
June.
Columbia county will select delegates on the
first Tuesday in June.
Tbc democrats of Newton county will hold e
mass meeting on Saturday May 22.
Houston county will select delegates to the gub
ernatorial snd ooogrearional convention, 6o the
first Tuesday in July.
A meeting of the clUsens of Gordon ooonty is
celled for the first Tuesday in June, to nominate
delegates to the gubernatorial and congroriional
conventions.
Mr. W.C. Mattbewx wrltM from TennUlo, Wuh.
last on county, thatlu order to test the matter they
polled, on the 13th, evsnr vote in Tsnnlll* and seen
one that came tn from the country and the result
was, Gordon 33, Baoon 2. Then he adds:
"I never In my llfo law such unanimity and en-
thnalaim aa there la In Washington and; Johnson
counties over Gordon’s announcement. It is an-
paralleled, and the vote which I give is a fair iu-
A correspondent from Columbus says: "Muscogee
will give Gordon ten to one. Forth© first timeia
years ail factions of the party have united, and his
ipport is well nigh unanimous." , ,
A gentleman from Blaokahear writes: "Gordon
will undoubtedly carry a majority of the wire gras*
counties "
Hon. n. H. Carlton. 6f Athena, b otrong In hla
stand for General Gordon. ... „ ...
UstrriN, Ga., Uaj H.—[8pocial.l-8paIffing
county is almost unanlmour for General Gordon
for governor. A careful Inquiry among the peopte
of the county daring ths week nas failed to (Bid a
man from the oountr but wbo is for Gerdsgu A
prominent former from Union district said ymter-
day that be wonld crawl to town, to vote foe Gor
don. There are a few men In Griffin abo are op
posed to Gordon, but they are very few. There la a
strong desire belt to hear General Gordon speak.
Flotilla, Ga., May 14.—{SpecULI—But! Is
Uttle. but sbe tv load. A* this place every man,
with bnt one exception, is for Gordon. This county
is solid. ■ •
Tbc Dahlonega Signal, in announcing the can
didacy of General Gordon, observes that "he U in
favor or primary elections." Yes, Indeed, -ha is,
He does not take refoge behind a subterfuge.
The trouble In Lee county was that too many
people turned out At the Albany Ntwssaya, "too
many elections are a Pandora’* box." %
Tbc Waycros*
toper, publishes
(bat "General Jt
HeadU
111 be Georgia's
The LouUville News Is not in favor of “home-
ng" the governorship. Itray*-
s of the papers Intimate thatc
of doing a great wrong by .announcing
aMiffiilignrihM ho ■ "willing, to.fomoi
■ until he suddenly p '
candidate; that fc
that all*
into
WWHi—Pltli is 01001. this tea
fret conn try, and be and Baoon both can ran,-and
the arena asa candidate.’'
rUtbtfffllv. and let them do their best and to an
honorable way, and the one that beau will be en
titled to the office which Is free for all to seek.
The Eatontcn Memenger, in announcing its
support of General John B. Gordon, does to to
one of the heat written editorials of the cam
paign. Thus it speaks:
General Gordon's snnooncement of hLs ran-
Wary for governor may be found on one of our
outside pages. It is devoid of ambUruous sentences
and ssMitCms that admit of a twofold interpreta
tion. We have receatly seen public papers that
substantiate tha curious alleeanea that "the Eng
lish language lithe vehicle through which men
concsal^thete opinions." bus^thequoteMon to noi
inching but a plain, oetapoken. open, statesman-
ike said democratic paper.
fOoclieordon Fifth Golnmn Eleventh Page.1