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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION. ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY MAY 25,1S86
11
’
hit the white min wu their beet friend, the
frhite min mart role this country, md the
irhite min will ever rule it. We ill remem-
er tbit the fillint Gordon wis overpowered
)t the billot box. A min living here in this
onnty todiy will tell you be threw out 275
votes igiinst Gordon, It was when the colored
men voted three days hero, when corruption
and misrule rin high. Tho very men who
live here now, ind endeivorcd to uphold the
bight during those dirk days ire firm sap-
fieri of General Gordon. He is before us
diy. Shall we not re-seit him in the chtir,
[to which he wu justly elected?” C. H.
The Debate in Greensboro.
GiEznenono, Ga., May 21.—[Special.]—If
nthuaiiam means anything; if it is my ind!
.stion oftheientiment which inspires those
who thus give expresrion to their real feeling;
f it cin be considered u in index to the real
l of any cause in any community, then
Gordon’s friends can tike Greene
joanty out of the doubtful column and put it
dong with other undisputed Gcrdon counties.
The trip from Lexington to Greensboro wu
Similar in interut to that from Augusts to
Lextyigton. The friends of both candidates
welcomed them at the stations and towns
Llong the]! ine.snd it every stop there wu some
demonstration for one or the other. At Crmw-
Iford, Antioch and WoodvlUe it wu similar to
that of yesterday, At Union Point a much
farger crowd wu present, ind for the fifteen
ninntes that the stop wu made both Gordon
knd Bacon were the centers of the circles of
learnest friends, but the enthusiasm wu with
General Gordon.' His very presence seemed to
kntpire a feeling of confidence. Prominont
(shove the crowd wu a banner with the
words:
“For Governor, General John B. Gordon.
(Let the people talk through the billot box,
~snd select the man of their choice.”
In speaking of the Clarke county method,
Itienersl Gordon paid a glowing tribute to
Athens, and some of the gentlemen who par-
Iticipsted in the muting. “I loro Athens,”
(laid he, “I love it u I do few places In the
(world. Hy alma mater Is there. Some of the
(most cherished associations of my life are
(there. I love her people, whose refinement
(and culture are unsurpassed, snd whose hos-
(pitality, like the very air around us, is fru
(and boundless. I have many personal friends
(there. 1 believe I may claim u such the
|Hon. Pope Barrow, whose record as a soldier,
I senator and citlunwu spotless and bright,
(and I deeply regret that he did not'see his
I way to insisting upon leu hute in the ulect
I tlon of delegates. There, too, is the worthy
(ion of a great sire, the son of the matchless
(orator, William L. Yancey, whose unrivaled
(eloquence still thrills through my memory u
(l listened to it In 18(S0. It is to me a most
(painful thought that a noble ion of the groit
I Yancey, whose life wu spent in a battle for
(popular rights, did not see to it that all can
didates should hive an opportunity to appeal
|to the people.” [Loud cheers.]
There wu three ways of reaching Uadison,
(liter the Greensboro meeting—either by mak-
(lug the trlp,twenty miles through the country
I in a driving rain,taking the early morning pas-
| ranger which passed Greensboro at throe
(o’clock, or boarding the midnight freight,
I from which, however, passengers aro exolnded.
IA telegram, however, to Major Greene, In An-
I gusto, brought an answer granting
Ithe privilege of the freight,
I and thus it wu that Mad-
I Ison wu reached at one o'clock this morning.
I There wu no demonstration other than the
I beating patter of therein, and on occasional
1 flash of lightning brightened the dark streets
land revealed a silent and weary gronp bound
(hotelwaid and sharing alike a generous 11 ba-
Itlon from huven. But when it
I wu found that they hod already sr-
| rived, and were then calmly tucked away an-
I joying the rest which brass bands couldn’t dis-
1 tarb nor human enthusium stir. The town
I again became silent, savo for the music of the
I elements. But it wu the calm |whlch pieced-
I ed the storm of the morning. By daylight
I thiltreots of the little city swarmed with on
I earnest and gossipy crowd which drifted to-
1 ward the courthouse. The weathor had cleared
I and everybody seemed In a good humor, and
I notwithstanding the Act that the Bacon men
I said that there wu no earthly use for General
I Gordon to speak at that place, the supporters
I of the latter seemed considerably more confl-
| dent thancomposed.
lion. Fred Foster introduced Major Bacon
I with very complimentary allusion to his ser-
I vices u a legislator and his qualifications to
I the high office to which he upiros.
I Ho could speak no louder than
[in an ordinary convemtional tone, and thus
(it wu not without extra effort that he mode
(himself heard. He explained his oonditton,
(and stated that he could only enter upon a
|calm and dispassionate talk with them, in
which he uked their quiet attention. He
Announced that he would speak again In Had-
GENERAL GORDON’S OVATION.
It wu now General Gordon’s time. Tho
-ev. 1’. 8. Barney iron and, in a most elo-
pent manner, preunted him. Uls tribute
** s handsome one and aroused the audience
»the highest pitch of excitement. Among
' er things, he said:
lure of purpose, firm In resolve and stainless In
« uig ua uuiimuo. iiriu iu rcauiTV luu itMUitss tu
character, the faithful public service he baa ren
dered the country, fills one of ths brightest chap
iters In our country’s history, and renders him
■worthy to receive any honor in the power of a
■grateful people to bestow. He hu Illustrated
■Georgia onlnear a hundred fields of battle, by his
■conspicuous bravery, and in the councils or the
■ nation, by his slugnlor devotion to the interests of
s.v. — iniquities -*
, fastened upon us, his clarion voice,
I summoning freemen to liberty Imperilled, rang
| out over mountain and valley as cleaftud shrill os
sled serried ranks to victory, through the
stands before you
m in the south, the
spirit which per-
.hat patriotic
hearts of . .
men bared their breasts
firesides. The dauntless courage displayed by
theeemen, and their noble daring will be treas
ured by the lovers of liberty as long as tho Xnglish
tongue la spoken. Iim glad that the little boys of
name and fame of that great soldier* whose lieu
tenant he was, for, at the head of his decimated
ranks, he ledthe last grand charge of the south at
Appomattox. Georgians! can we forget him or
qver cease to love him? [Great applause].
. As General Gordon advanced, the audience
seemed to rise to a man, in its enthusiastic
applause, which lasted several seconds. The
speaker addressed himself to issues of which
he hsd spoken before, but seemed to be in one
)f the happiest moods of his tour. Hecanght
he audience at once. For a minute every-
>ody would laugh heartily at some apt Ultra-
ration of a strong point. In an Instant every
lye woe fattened upon the speaker as hie mas-
'aces of oratory held the audience spell-
d. There was no invective, no
Gorges, no abuse, but the speech
eemed to be one which came
lrectly from the heart, as his impassioned
fords, couched in beantifUl language, and
ttered In all the majesty of eloquence fell
P 00 the audience. Every one present Intent
o catch every syllable leaned forward in rapt
Mention. The climax of the orator was the
ignal for tumultuous enthusiasm. Men rose
n their choirs, on the tables or on the railing
f the bar and shonted as if mad, waving hats
r handkerchiefs in the air and crying “Gor
an,” “Gordon,” in the ecstacy of delirious
nthesiaem. When the speaker left the stand
■toned os if the fervor , of .the psopla
knew no bounds. Old confederate veterans rush
ed to his side, and grasping his hands, shook
them in the wildest manner. The general
could not withhold his emotions, and tears
crept into bis eyes and drlfteddown his scar
red face. I saw one man throw himself into
his arms and weep like a child. It was an old
member of his regiment. As the old soldiers
were crowding around him, tho demonstrative
ardor of the audience seemed to receive new
inspiration from the touching scenes be
ing enacted. Everybody seemed to drift
toward him to ahake his hand. As the crowd
poised by to make room for others, the ladies
of the audience reached him. The first to
do so was a bevy of beautiful young ladies
from the Madison Female seminary, who pre
sented him with a magnificently constructed
bouquet arranged on a placqne which rested
on on easel. As they advanced the upreer be
came deafening. One by one he
took them In his arms and with a pleas
ant - word planted a kiss upon their
upturned lips. The other ladies of ths audi
ence followed. A few had on Bacon badges,
but they seemed to feel the enthusiasm of the
moment, and all fared alike. Among the num
ber was an elderly matron whose emotion I
particularly noticed. She approached him
with tears in her eyes, threw her arm around
him and kissed him. There seemed to besoms
tender memory awakened whieh touched her
heart.
I noticed among those who sat by me
a gentleman who woro a Bacon bodge.
He was at flrot quiet and
demonstrative. He seemed to be troubled about
something, and listened to the first speech
with marked attention. I noticed him next
as General Gordon rose to speak. His face
had brightened, and he was- laughing at the
anecdotes or was absorbed in the rich flow of
eloquence. I next observed him alter the
speech, amid the tumult which followed, and
he was standing on a chair with both hands
np yelling for John B. Gordon at the top of
his voice. It was an instance of emotional
evolution.
Before the meeting dispersed a vote was ta
ken, and apparently four-fifths of those pror-
ent held up their hands for Geneaal Gordon.
The ride to tho dopot was a continuation of
the ovation at the operahouse. Hundreds as
sembled there and the Gordon men were en
thusiastic over the day’s work, and claimed
the comity as acertalnty, notwithstanding the
fact that it bos always been considered a
strong Bacon county.
Mr. Sam Burney, Dr. A. E. Andrews and
other prominent Gordon men, who, by
tho way, organised a flourishing Gordon club,
of sixty members, are emphatic in the declara
tion that he will carry the county.
At Conyers an audience of not less than five
hundred asrembled to hear the speaking. The
county was well represented. General Gordon
was introduced by Colonel James C. Barton, in
a most graceful manner.
Owing to the condition of the throat of his
opponent, he announced that he would only
occnpy a short while. Ho really did not think
it necessary to say much anyway for he hsd
nearly the whole audience onhis side already.
He spoke|for'only half anpiour, but in a very in
teresting strain. He was particularly strong
in his denunciation of the methods of his
opponents in wanting to gag the voice of the
people in refusing primaries.
Before the mooting adjourned a vote
was called and tho Bev, Dr. Qulgg
sold he wu certain that five-
sixths of the voters present held up their
bands for Gordon. I should say at lout four-
fifths.
When asked about the week's discussion,
General Gordon said: •
“Yon woro with mo and of courso you know
that I have cause to be more then satisfied. I
believe I will carry every connty that I spoke
in except perhape Richmond county, in which
I wu not allowed to finish my speeeb, and
even in Richmond my friends will make a
fight for it, and claim that they have fair
chance of success. I know that tho treatment
to which I wu subjected hu made a reaction,
theextent of which cannot yet be determined.
I atated to my friends when the discussion
began that I wanted to go to Mrjor Bacon’s
strongholds and do the fighting In the territory
which he hsd claimed wu his beyond dispute.
The trip for the week wu arranged with this
view. I leave it to you to uy whoso territory
it now is.”
“What have you to ny about stopping tho
joint discussion?"
“Nothing whatever. I consider myself es
topped from commenting on this by the
terms of the agreement. Personally, I should
have preferred for the discussion to continue.
That is my favorite method of conducting a
campaign. I rest perfectly content, however,
upon what hu been agreed to,”
“Will you continue yourcanvau?”
“Why, certainly. I have an engagement
already for every day this week and one day
I shall speak twice. Next week I also have
seven engagements for six days. My voice,
which hu been a llttly husky, is Improving
and I never felt in better trim tor making a
campaign in my lift. As I said in my an
nouncement all that I wont it [to meet the
people face to face.”
SMITH IN GILMER.
A CONVINCING SPEECH ENTHUSI
ASTICALLY RECEIVED.
A Large Andlenos Basra tea Ex-Governor at XllUax
-Ba Announces Himself Bqnarslr for Osnsral
Gordon-Tailing Points-Gilmer Oountr
C varwUslminglg for Oonarol Gordon,
The Joint Dlscnsston.
Atlanta, Go.,-May 20, IMS.—To the Democratic
Voters of tbs Bute; In conversation with Captain
1. P. Howell, I tnuested that the violent person
alties of the campaign threatened the pesos and
good order of the stats, and that they should be
Hopped atones. He agreed with me heartily. As
the result of our con venation we made the follow
ing agreement about the Joint dltensslon: Thlsls
solely in the Interest of the party, and Is not to be
continued, either directly or lndireotly In the in
terest of either candidate.
Patbick Walsh.
I concur in the foregoing.
Evan P. Howxll.
Atlanta, Ga„ May 20, lMe.-Geneml John a
Gordon and Hon. A. O. Bacon, candidates ibr the
democratic nomination tor governor, having au
thorised ns to arrange for a Joint discussion of the
Issues of the campaign, and having selected ns to
name places and dates, we have agreed that thejolnt
discussion shill terminate this week. We have ar
rived at thisconcluslon in order that the harmony
of the party may be preserved, and that the as
perities of the campaign may be removed as lor
u possible.
Alter the time named each candidate shall make
his awn appointments to address the democratic
voters of the stale.
Evan P. Howsll,
for General Gordon.
Patrick Walsh,
for Hon. A. 0. Bacon.
Governor James If. Rmlth will address the peo
pie at the following times and pious upon the
subject:
‘Shell the corporations tula the people or the
people rule themselves, u It teaches upon the
issues of the present campaign.”
Hogaasvllle, Monday, May S4th.
Franklin, Tuesday, May *8.
West Point, Wednesday, May SO.
Cblplej, Thursday, May 27.
Thomas ton, Saturday, May SO.
Two Straws In Fulton.
The grand Jury of this county was polled by
llr. W. L. Peel on Friday. Nineteen man seen
present The vote stood, Gordon 17, Buck 1, non
committal 1. Between Gordon and Baeoa ths rate
stood solid tor Cordon. None tor Bacon.
In Ogletree 4 Robinson's planing mill. Dr.
B. D. Spalding recorded the Tots on Saturday,
Gordon ts, non-committal 2, Bacon none. Thesa
art two straws which show Urn drift of things la
Fulton. ■ . ,
Ellijay, Go,, May 22.—[Special.]—'Tho
speech delivered here today
ex-Govornor James M. Smith wu
remukable for its itrength and offsctlveneu,
Early In the morning, tho voters of Gilmer
connty poured into town, and
when at X o’clock, the ex-governor
rose at tho Judge's desk in tho
superior courtroom, ho confronted a vary
large audience. Ho wu introduced by Colo
nel Pickett, an old and honored democrat, In
few eloquent words. Ths applause caused by
tho ex-governor’s apesrance having oeaaed,
ho began In a quiet and nnlmpaaslonod man
ner to addreu himself to the judgment of his
hearers.
Referring to the railroad commission, he
nrged tho necessity of electing members
of the legislature and a governor
who would not Interfere with tho
law creating It. Ho gave a history of tho
commission,and stated tho reasons why'
wu a neceulty. Ho then spoke of Major Bacon
and General Gordon. Major Bacon, ho uld,
wu the attorney of a largo and powerful rail
road corporation. His sympathies werejnatnral
ly with the railroads. If elected governor, he
would have to resign a position that pays him
ten thousand dollars to accept one that pays
three thousand. In view of Hqjor Bacon's
well-known views concerning the commis
sion, he was not tho man to ho elected gov
ernor. General Gordon wu in fall accord
with tho commlialon, Ho wu dietinctly and
poiltlvely In favor of it u It If.
BX DESIRED NO CBANOK
in It, and, if elected governor, would ooe that
none occurred. Ho wu with tho peoplo, and
would protect their Intonate.
Referring to General Gordon’a resignation
from the Mnate, ho uld that a charge had
been made that there wu a trade, to which
Colquitt and Brown wore parties. At tho
timo General Gordon realgned, the apeaker
hod apoken u bitterly of tho anapoctod tredo
u any other man in the atate. Bat tho mat
ter had been pnt on trial before tho people.
Itwaa pnt on trial when Colquitt ran against
Norwood, and the people ut down on it, by
re-electing Colquitt[| by over fifty thous
and majority. It tvu again pot
on trial when Brown went before tho legisla
ture u a candidate for the senate: and tho
ebugo wu again ut down on with a forclble-
ness not to be forgotten. It wu again put on
trial when Colquitt wont before tho legiala-
tnre u a candidate for tho unate; and it wu
again ut down on and annihilated. Even the
aupreme court wonld not reveroo a declaton
three time* reputed. He hlmoelf wu con
vinced that the charge wu nntrue.
The cx-govornor concluded by uylng that
Major Bacon wu an honorable gontloman,
bnt General Gordon wu a great deal more.
Major Bacon wonld aink oat of light and be
forgotten when ho wu beaten by General
Gordon in tho prcient contort. General Gor
don
WOULD LIVE IN HISTORY
for all time to come. Hie magnificent services
u a Midler had embalmed hla name. As long
utho art of printing remained to bleu tho
nationa of tho earth, and tho ability to nod
remained with the people. General Gordon
would bo admired and his prelaw wonld bo
aung.
Tho ex-govornor’a speech wu two hoars In
length, bnt It wu received with great enthns-
It wu a splendid effort, and convinced
every man that hoard it thst General Gordon
Is the man to bo elected governor.
After tho ex-governor's departure for At
lanta, your correspondent hoard counties:
Ihvorsblo comments on tho speech. It oolldl-
fied tho connty for General Gordon,
When tho time comet to select
delegates to tho convention, It will be found
that tho voters uo four to one for Gordon,
Tho fact is, there tro not twelvo stralgbtont
democrats In the connty who will vote for
Major Bacon,
Ex-Governor Smith retamed to Atlanta
from Ellijay last night. Ho wu not well, and
when ho left tbs train he went at once to hie
room et tho Markham house.
Allhough nnwall, a CoNonTUTioN reporter,
who called on him, found him in exoellont
spirit*.
“I enjoyed my violt to tho moontahu,’’ the
ex-governor uld, after greeting tho reporter,
“The peoplo of Gilmer connty are notably
clear-beaded, and their hoopltallty la
bonndod.”
“Hew did they receive yonr apoceh ?”
“Very favorably, I did not appeal to their
pfoolons, bnt addreued their judgment. After
I hod flniahed I made inqnirlw u to the fool
ing of tho people. They are overwhelmingly
for General Gordon. Ho will carry tho coun
ty with no sort of trouble.”
“What about the aurronadlngcoantlea?"
“They are for General Gordon. That le tho
opinion of well Informed men. In the town*.
Major Bacon hu tome anpportore, bat In the
country tho people in overwhelmingly forQen-
enl Gordon. Iconfeu that I wu somewhat
surprised. The enthiulum for General Gor
don la really remarkable. Tho people uy:
’We moot elect General Gordon governor, and
wo don’t propose to entertain any other propo
sition.’ The farmers are almost a unit for
General Gordon, end they are taking sufficient
Interest in the nomination of delegates to the
convention to see that their wishee are carried
oat”
“Whet did yon hoar about Pickens county?”
“Wall, yon are, perhaps, aware that Pickens
hu been considered doubtful. I do not think
it ie m now.
THE ENTHUSIASM TOR OORDON
hu speed among tho people of that connty,
resulting in giving him many supporters who
formerly favored Ms|or Bacon. I think U
altogether probable that Pickens will send
delegates to tbs convention Instructed to vote
for General Gordon.”
The Sparta IahmaoHto and Osnsral Gordon.
I It to said that General Gordon’s manly
speech in Sports, end bis unequivocal position in
favor of the railroad commission bad a great effkct
and that among others it won the support Colonel
Sidney Lewis, editor of the Ishmalelte. which hu
always bean considered one of the ablest. If not
the ablest, weekly papers In Geprgla. It will be
remembered that Colontl Lewis, who was a strong
personal friend of Major Bacon, pat aomo qaes-
tiona to him concerning the railroad commission,
and esktd tor an answer In his speech. Major Ba-
con did not answer to Mr. Lewis’s satisfaction, nos
lo the sattofretion of tho crowd. Oar informant
•ays afttr the spanking was over Adjutant Bacon
and hla itroogeat supporter In this county went to
Mr, Lewis's office to explain in private what he
Ibid been unable to explain In public. Colonel
Lewie wu notin his office, so they went to his
Mr. Bacon Mid:
ll bare come to explain Ibat matter to yon.”
Mr. Lewis replied:
“Yon failed to explain it to the people, and I do
DOtwbb any explanation myself.”
Adjutant Berea then asked Cotoe el Lewis what
e thought of bis chances los go Tensor.
1 Lewis replied that be might stand some
grapti^H
—Adjutant Bacon says:
■mow can I do this?"
■ ■
, Colonel Lewis did not toel that It wu his duty to
intone him, and the interview terminated. This
story ha* gone over the county, end la creating
GENERAL GORDON AND SENATOR HILL.
What the General Says About Those Affida
vits and the State Road Lease:
General Gordon’s attention wu called last
night to certain afildavits published in tho
Macon Telegraph In regard to language that
he Rood concerning tho offer of a ahare in the
State road I care mode to him by the late Sen
ator Hill. General Gordon aald :
“I desire to uy In regard to this matter that
my speech in America!, taken u a whole, can
not be made to reflect tho slightest degree on
tho Integrity or honor of Mr. Hill. I Intro
duced his name with tho warmest terms of
admiration, and all that I uld of him wu
eulogistic. I congratulated tho state that
men of inch high character, and inch perfect
integrity u hlmoelf, and others had taken a
share in tho lease and that It wu a guarantee
to the (1010 that her property wonld be
managed wall and honestly. Every man who
heard tho speech In which I alluded to thle
matter will affirm that my treatment of Mr,
Hlll’a nemo and memory, wu ell
that hla cloieat friend or relative ooald have
uked, Nothing that I said or Implied coaid
take ono lote from hto reputation u an hon
est and illustrious man. What I uld wu
not dopreoatlon, bnt it was eulogy u ardent u
I conld find wroda about him, and I remember
with great dtotlnctnou and pleunro that
what I laid about him wu greeted with on-
thnilutic applause and approval. Thle can
not bo denied.
“What brought tho alltulon to tho 8tato
road lean?’’
One of tho vilest insinuation! that could
have been made against any man. That If
elected governor I wonld conspire
with othere to rob tho itato of
that magnificent piece of property
tho State reed, which It should never surren
der under any circumstances end whloh nover
ebonld be surrendered with my approval.
Dlvant to put on record hero again my con
tempt and acorn for the writers who ere at
tempting to mtoroprooent my moaning
In that speech. It ie known of ell men
that they were the maligners end the
slanderers of Mr. Hill whon ho wu
living, and that their pretended defotue of
him to Inspired by a hatred of. myself that le
u malevolent u the hatred with whloh they
opposed him. Mr, Hill end myself opposed
each other in a race, but onr relations wore
cordial and affectionate at ths time of and long
before hto death, and no man loves and
reveru hla memory more than I do."
. leek to find dinner here how much more could It
discover In thli candidature of Major Bacon. The
leave or the State road W stout to expire. Wisdom
will dictate that tho future disposition of this road
be veitled during the next two yearn and tho exe
cutive will have much lo do with this matter.
Let the hand* of the^st Tennessee, Virginia and
Georgia railroad clutch tho State road,
and tho freights, tho railroad
*yitcra of . Georgia and her _ western con-
trring mow
trad muvt rental
lopoly. I:
-cumin a i
any other bands the State
“ r link. Touoott—
It eon reasonably
expected that Ibe East Tonneascc. Virginia and
Georgia railroad peoplo will endoavorto control It.
c - friendly executive
•ueb
1* a
rot bo supposed
great ally. last
that any Improper infla
nted. But men believe re
uenccs
joaeS
of motives are Imputed. "But men teUevo readily
those wbo bave been their friends and can cully
bo misled by umcrnpulous partiea wbo command
their confidence, u It not u fair to anumo that
Major Bacon will let hto old friend* gain for a fair
—' - ‘he Slate road u to assume that General
will let It go tor a long? As In the charter
■re the danger -
gnat monopoly.
Bnt let u» ace who aro advocating Maior Bacon.
Did ho not carry bis banner county, Clorko, In
the immense man meeting of forty-one. under tho
wing of President Barrow and the director* of tho
Noiihcutcrn railroad? Are not many or them hts
delegate*? Is be not underatood to bo the anti-
(ywnyntMi/xn candidate?
The people see these thine*, and the people at
their primaries pan Judgment thereon and will ao
pan Judgment despite too effort of Major llocon
and hla allies to throttle the voice of the peoplo
speaking in Judgment through their primaries
Let the peoplo apeak. 11. 0.
Bill Jonea Heard From.
C0BYSB8. Ga., May 21, 1880.—Editor* Con
stitution. I must beg yonr pardon for riling to (
Atlanta ring man. but I am ao Intreated in thia
here Govnera race that I am bilged to aay some'
tbinorbuat. Now 1 never rlt a letter to a paper
and I don’t hardly no how to begin ao at to Bound
nice to the people what’a going to read It. I’m
Bacon fallen talking about that Atlanta ring,
that’a a. pretty good aong. but it don’t go
down with everybody. If that thar ring In At*
lanta is auch a bad aet of fellow*, what in thunder
but then aome folk* don’t know what they want,
nohow, and I reckon Bacon la one of them kind.
Now theae Bacon fellows are all crying out that if
Gordon geta to be govner he will sell the State
Now, what in thunder
has the govner got to do with that? Don’t tho
Icgialator tend to all auch bualneaa m that?
who will cry—not me?
these Baron fbllera-about that aeftout yonder at
Washington by Gordon. Now Gordon
A SLANDER DENOUNCED.
Testimony of Those Who Heard Gordon In
Amerlens.
Americup, Ga., May 22.—[Special.]—We, (he
undersigned, were all present and heard the
speech of General John B. Gordon made in Ameri
cus on the 12th day of May, 1886.
The chargo that General Gordon assaulted the
character of Senator Hill, or cast any aspersion on
hla name, is untruk. General Gordon, on that oc
casion, eulogised Senator Hill, and spoke of him
as a true, good and great man, In the audience
were many wbo revered the memory of Mr. BUI,
who would have reaented any aspersion upon his
character or fame.
It la plain that this chargo waa an a mm
thought of General Gordon’a enemies. (Signed)
B. P.H0LT8,’ X. J.MILL1
W. B. GtJRJUtY, J. O. MAT!
C. If. WOOTEN. C. B. RAIN ...
J. W. JORDON. JB. N. A, SMITH.
U. 8, LOCKETT, 1
H. A, DMA AH,
J. B. P1LL8BURY,
J. D. SHEPHERD. W M. T.TILLMAN,
JOHN W. JORDON. SB, M. If. COUNCIL,
Tuoa A. GKAHAir, R. J. PERRY.
H. C. BAGLKY,
A. A. ADAMS,
JOHN WINDSOR,
J. W. SHEFFIELD,
H. W. SMALL.
T. WHKATLE
W.T.TOOI
W. P. DAVL
A. B. CUTT8,
L. B BOSWORTH,
TH08. H. GREENE,
EZEK. TAYEOR,
JOHN R. RIIAW.
ft. D. LU I ■*’,
J. D. HINKLE,
A. T. OLIVER,
Major Dacon and tho Railroads*
Editors Constitution: Perhape the ques
tion of greatest interest before the peoplo of Geor
gia today, 4s the question of the control of the rail
roads.
The people aro entitled to know how caeh candi
date stands thorcon, and criticism of hla i«st ac
tion* throwing light on thia matter la but their
Iht* subject, lot I
, bow General Gordon
and Major Bacon each ■tend.
A* to tho railroad commission. General Gordon
■ays that he la for the commission law salt now
* l Major Bacon says that be favors a railroad oora-
mlsalon. He does not say that he fevers the pres
ent law unchanged.
How easy It would haye been to have laid- this
If he had meant it?
■But Major Bacon says more; he tells us what
sort of.a commission ho favors. He says that bo*
tween a wise commission law and tho railroads
then ought to bo perfect harmony. But have not
the railroads through their organs and atttorneys,
Major Baron and others, told us again and again
that there can be no harmony between tha rail
roads and the commission with its present power?
■ffit not easy to see that the wise commission law
Mich Major Bacon and the railroads advocate, la
not the present commission law which the people
of Georgia Intend to preasnreT^H
When tho eflbrt was made to emasculate
..ie commission last summer General
Gordon stated to many prominent
gentlemen that he was unalterably opposed to it
and would, if they thought nooesaery, make a
speech agalhrt any change^ "This was tfe deelara-
0 man long betore he was a candidate tor
_ r let! Afritlm
tbatjhar thing plain enough to.anybody that
’em sometimes, and this is ono of tho times. I’m
sorty.for ’em, bnt 1 can’t cry right now. They
all holler Joe Brown, Joo * Brown-
that is they do out loud. but
insldo they are saying all tho timo If I had Joo
Brown on my ride rd bo all right That feller
Joseph Is a big bugbear In Georgia, but somehow
nether nobody taeks bis doings In the lenatc, and
when his time gives out they’ll —
l .send him back,
fight him and put him
shelf. Why, I’ll tell you tho fact.
Mr. COKiTiTusnuN 1 don’t care who la. governor or
Georgia, be will just be fool enough to rite to Joe
Now my namo la Jones, but 1 wish It had boon
Brawn, then I might bo some kin to Joe. I’m
mighty sorry he don’t know me for I would like it
powerrol, Now tomorrow I’m gwinetotown to
hear Gordon and Bacon apeak their peaoe, and
theres loti or us Gordon fellers gwlno,
but wo alnt gwlne to kick up
no such a racket as them thar Bacon
fellers did In Augusta, for we’ve got better sense.
**' “ lellei
We want to bear what the poor feller ha* to asy
cause It is his last chance. Now wasn't Bacon
a foolish feller to get mad with that feller NUblt
down yonder at Eatonton. Now I
S hat sort of a gov nor ho would m
ist gets mad and fljra off of the har
I want to ask
make. A feller
thing like that, why aomo day, If ho waa govnor,
and didn’t have Just what, he wanted
for brakefest. he might ge;
mad with the whole state houso and turn them all
out that alnt the kind or governor I want I want
one like Gordon, who can stand fire like he did in
Thlle he could not be herd sailed
Augusta, and while be oould not be herd smiled
one of them rood broad smites that’s the kind of
a foxier we all want, and If all signs don't fell will
get there soon.
Now about war record. 1 ain’t mnoh on
went there April lit, laei. and left Mays. •:
_ that I
went there April lit, lwi. and left May&. lflM. 1
don't know much about It, nohow. 1 hear ’em
talking about Bacon resigning his place in tho 0th
Georgia.. I don’t know nothin’ about it. That was
eight regiments abovo mo, but ’spose be did re
sign. I saw the time many a timo I
would like to resign and Jump Into
_ . Just no
enough to do anything, but tho devil of It was,
they wouldn't lot a private resign. I was only a
get to be an adjutant., if
I r — —
— j prl
•rlvate. I never did 1
no telling
priv
had
wine to holler owoe more Ibr
place. I’m gwlne to hoi
he's beat, then I'm gwln
luck, and ,o In nj nolo and xet'roadjr'for film tho
fonomothrng. Iwtoh aoma of
mid rite ma a tauar and lot ao
next timo ne ran. f
you ring tollen would rilo ma a tatter and lot 1
no how tha thing to (Wloo In Atlanta, tor fr At
lanta to rite wo am *ato anyhow. Beg yonr pard
tor occupy!
thtotnauie
leae. Youra for Gordon, Biu. Joxo*.
Ba Quit, tho Uncoil Rank..
Editor* Coimtitution: Up to reading
yonr paper ynterday morning I wa* tor Bgoon-
When I hed read of the manner In which General
Gordon waa treated In Auguila I wu tor Gordon,
lined to reawn mywlt Into bellevlngthat the re
port wu untrue; but when 1 uw where Maior
Black, a Bacon man, had to (et up twice and hoc
that General Gordon be heard, I oould doubt no
lomer. 1 began to wonder If John B. Gordon ever
thought, when mitering with fire wound* reoelred
in one battle, where be fought tor Georgia’* honor,
that he wonld ba dented the right to apeak before
a Georgia audience, upcclally In behalf of a man
who had lift tho army and beoomo a oommlaary.
Fair play la a Jewel that wta In Georgia'* diadem,
and the outrage pnt upon General Gordon by Motor
llacon’t friend* In Auguata will b* anawund at
the ballot box, I am not alona In tho view I uko
of Ihl* matter. J, & If.
k wu^cnat then In flavor of mob a bill?
Would he not u gorernor approve of *ome slight
modification at lout.
Let tho peoplo remember that tho next governor
of Georgia appoint* a member of tho railroad com-
gnat railroad corporation, ex tending through uw
UAlUlUlbK tUiUli^O
Hate from the Tenneuee line to Brumwlok, MB
pat into the band* of a receiver by tho United
Bute* court. Maior BaooawuUw general ooon-
cel iu Georgia forth lx railroad and their receiver,
Tbl* receiver pooled hto notice* warning all par.
or otherwise under the j.i.Iu .
tempt of the United Statu court*.
In thlnutoof affair*, a poor fellow, living In a
remote county, whoee cow wu kilted hy thu road
operated by thia receiver, unices tha receiver vol
untarily paid him, had toootne to Atlanta or
aeon and uk permission from the United
Stales court to one and ana tha raeatrar
in the United fiutu coart. Of count thle wu a
great hardship. The great expense amounted to a
bar to ouch iult> and left the dtlien. at the mercy
of tho road. To remedy thia a hill wu Intro-
dnced ln the senate at tho aummttauaton of l«a%
■■vine to obtain consent of court In tho
county where tho cauu of action arowe, u la tha
law of railroad! not run by receiver*. Thia bill
.or tcil tha senate nnanlmoaaly. The pasugo by
be house wu equally probable, Major Bacon,
I of
however, went blMPVPffiHMPffiMMMPRP
Die bouse, loads a lengthy argument against this
bill and defeated IU Thou people whohave trou
ble about nilnifrworiveTi InCheOpanUu whore the
the Earn Tenneawi
the But Tonneaus, Virginia and Georgia rail
road eyndicau had In trod need a bill
charter the Cincinnati and Georgia railroad
' oogoAbo
company from Macon to Chattanooga,tho proeent
Eut Tenncmee line*. Governor, then Henilor Mo-
Luriel. opposed this bill with gnat rigor u total
n w.fi;a nf Ilia Hiaffr Mart flnnnr.1 • William
Atlantic railroad. In a printed tetter, opposed the
IlliU IWIIUH’1, 111 n Uliiitcu IUIICI, *uu
pair age of the bill u ruinous to Uu future value of
the Bialoroad. Other prominent eltlun* dldjthoi
t la tree he la tbs *i
1 ulory, It la>uld, t
rorth by million*
State road to.not worth —
' wu and the qoutton of lu future
ibamued and surrounded with difficulty.
this connection a very ridiculous charge that
General Gordon is eteofedgov-
ereor he indHenator Brown will gobble the Mate
read. if. however, the ear pletona triad would
What An “Empty Bleeve” Would Do.
DAWSON, Uo., May 20.-[8poeIal.]-Mr. Wil
liam Hunter, constable In tho 3rd dtotrtot'ofthto
connty, wu In town on yoHarday. A gentleman
who uw him Handing on the street* at a short d to-
Unco from him remarked to a friend near by: ‘TU
bet a dollar BUlto Hunter te tor Gordon tor gover
nor, though I havo ntver beard how ha Hood on
the question." On being uked bow bo Waa Id
vote for governor, Mr. Hunter held up hto right
arm which had barn shattered by bullets while he
served us brave confederate soldier, and thus
rendered virtually oeelua to him, replied: “1
would walk forty miles lo rote for General John B.
Gordon.”
Ths Pot and tho Rattle.
Augusta, Go., May 10.—[Special.]—General
Gordon hsd tho trlnmph of hto llto tonight Ills
reply to Bacon will certainly and the canvass Ha
literally demolished him. A great number of
Couth Carolinians were present, who said they
bad come to hear tor the first time tha man who
Hood in the face of fire and ball, and had rendered
K> Invaluable service to their Halo In the dark
day* of 1S70, when she had but tow Manila, aocnaad
of rationing a high office tor money by ooo who
bad resigned u adjutant of tha Ninth Georgia
——, --q blaaerr* *
when aha needed
PROGRESS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
A petition to General Gordon from Hamilton,
Darria county, reached Atlanta ycHarday. It wu
rigned by 200 of the best namu of Harris county.
It uked General Gordon to visit hto friend* In that
coualy, and Hated that
-your candidacy wu received hare with great
« iPkl. Kaililnn nnsiM han hfrdn aiwnarl
ci-proval. This petition could have bean rigned
by one thousand names If it wu neeeuory.
The Lumpkin Independent notes tha foot
that there are agraot many m*n In Stowart county
who belonged to Gordoo’s brigade daring the war,
and u a natural consequence will stick te him In
time* of peace. Giro the plowman a ohanoe at the
ballot box.
Th* Conyers Booth tersely statu the lame when It
rays that “The race between Gordon end Baeoa t* an
brae between the peoplo and poHtlctena-batween
an honest ballot and. courthouse cliques,” Tha
South further uy*: _
If reports h* <ro* General John B. Gordon will
carry tha delegation from every county along the
Georgia railroad.
The Brunswick Herald moku a mighty sly eut
‘nsom^per ring u£?w*med Bason I
tha people ere very much disconcerted alj
tha fact to thu Gordon’s candidacy knock! l_ —
rlnu. especially the railroad and newxpaptr ring
.To tell ths truth, i| I* qo wonder that Major Ba
con is annoyed when be reads such paragraphs u
this from tho Lumpkin Independent;
Had not General Gordon entered tho gnbemato-
county wji
suit me;
lit may ho changed.
John Triplett is a man with a kindly heart. He
declare! his preference in the Tbomuvlllo Times
• not that we love Bacon leu, but Gordon more.' 1 .
Hothonuys:
The ••ring" charge against General Gordon will
hardly hold good when It Is remomtiered that ho
B roposed to have evera democrat In the state speak
■rough * primary election. A man wanted to
"manipulate a machine would liardlv ask tho
Major Bacon declines to oco»pt General Gordon'*
proposition, giving ovary democrat in tho state on
opportunity to expreu bis preference between them
gi g primary election In each militia district In
the slate. Who expects to be moot bouctlttcd by
* trtwn mtntnmllnnif 1
first gun from the atomp in Auguata last Tuesday
night. He proclaims flrlendablp with everybody
'spraddlcr.'” The editor i
size the fact that
d proceed* to empha-
—General Gordon and hla friend* asked
vv ill UUt RITO tutuuiu UIP IHUHft IMA. 11 Allgut
Bacon and hla friends will Join them In this re
spect. tho peonlo will have the chance to control
the election, otherwise the politicians will control.
Remember, General Gordon and hla friends ask for
primaries. Major Bacon’s friends oppose them.
This issue cannot be obscured.
The gallant Brunswick Herald, which if doing
good work for the people In south Georgia, aava:
. Bacon has been treed. His friend* started out
by working up connty meetings in hia favor In ad
vance of any action of the atate executive oommlt-
tcc. But Gordon oomea along and proposes a Joint
request that primary elections be held that will In
fallibly declare the people's wishes. But Baron
rays, not ao; let the people choose as they please,
or rend a deputation to hla friends, to fix up tbo
terms of the canvass. Meanwhile Gordon hM tmw
to Amcrlcus, ami Bioko there on ThursdayJ
The Fort Valiev Mirror ao
Gordon, and declares that
i victory in the air f
_ not out
say that on a
county, either li
ilar vote or Houston
r or mass meeting, Gordon
aeon, as the choice of tho
people for governor. If sludge Simmons had re
mained In tho field and (Jordon not have an
nounced, Simmons wonld have carried the coun
ty by a good majority, hot we don’t think there la •
man In the atate that can beat Gordon In Houston
county. Wo were told In Perry by one of the host
Informer— *■
—Jormed politicians of that place that he would
beat Bacon twenty to one. and we believe he can
do It all over the county. Other things being
equal, Houston will never go back on aQgood sol
dier, and thoy honor Gordon for hla service; and
uicr. nuu iiiuj iiuuui uuniuu «ur uin rtvrvit v,
while it may be true, as some say, that we don’t
wantanymorewar.lt la a good policy to reward
and honor tho man who u true to duty In tlmofl
The Dalton Argus says that "northwoat
corgla will show a solid front for tho gallant
ordon.”
thus:
The contest hu at last been reduced down
-J an open fight between. Bacon and Gor
don—Bacon being brought out by tbo
Maoon ring and Gordon by tho Atlanta
Macon ring and Gordon by tho Atlanta
ring. It »roma that politic* la nothing bat a game
of' T rlngs” any way. We don’t think we eras
heard of a political compalgn that wu not
managed by '•rings.” "•*- *—
managed fay '•rings.” There are, however, two
kind of "rings,” a bad "ring” and a good "ring.”
In this Instance we are not able to define whether
.Is Instance we are not able to define whether
they were good or bad "rings." except that "a good
tree beam good fruit," etcTWc think each "ring”
has borne good fruit In sending out the men they
did. We would be glad to see either gentleman la
one office of this kind, ono of our gubernatorial
aspirants will get left, and we hate It, too. It will
toon become us to raise the name of ono of these
men to our mut-hcad as candidate for governor.
>ut when wa do, we expect to support and defend
]\\ not, u some papers do, stand on our
slander and i
la a al
irewd trli
dealing out
dm. but will not, u some papers c
bead snd kick ourxelvcs to piece.,
id vituperation at him whom wo oppose*
ihamo that Gordon should beoaueda
lekster, controlled by an evil "rinK” and
ouisnu uiuaowi. wuiiuiiuu oj
would soon sell his office and
that Bacon, a dudiah aristocrat, who would soon
bankrupt the state with his extravaganoe and dis
gust the people with hts selfishness and arrogance,
I Onr county, we believe, la mostly for Gordon,
mnty, we believe, ,
The following oomea from Fort Valley, and le
unique:
An honorable old gentleman, one of onr near
An honorable old gentleman, one of our near
own fermers, la a strong Gordon man, who
■ termed by some of his friends a "political fiuer.”
Worn be oomea In town he finds a v—
hasn’t caught, then he sits down will
hla hand, tho end resting on tho side
Ike he li
voters for Gordon and saya be Is going
atrluRlng them u long as he can catch one.
wants a Bacon fisher to fish against him and
one that catobw tni most to take all. Qon
_ w.
ind tbs
, . , Goraoa
j't nred an, of Hon, Mr. Bacon’s vote* to bo
elected bnt Uw old gentleman says ho te In for on
thing to have a liltte pleasant ton.
From ThoagarUle cc—
gence that
Th* lllnitrion* statesman, brave soldier and
sUrtot, General John B. Gordon,
hearty and almoH undivided sop-
> tor any-
Ptho cheering lutein-
llroads. If lb* wishes of the people of this oounty
only In the atate. General Gordon, lire para and
WhlcL
county I - .
noble gentleman, wonld get tour-filths or (h
pollcd ln Thomsa county. You can rely on Ihl*.
Not ovn twenty-five avowed Bacon men In tbo
in P. Roberta, of Bandertvllto, writ*, that
every member i
ed In th* contet. ,
^."VSS&KS^^SK-draim. that “w,
did not, nor do wa now, belteva that than waa
any corruption In Gancral Gordon and Uw other
two llluatrious gentlemen.”
LkXigOTOir, 0*., Hay 17.—[Bpectol.J—W
hall with delight the coming of General John B.
Gordon on next Thursday. Many of hla old sol
diers were ncra .Saturday at the laying of tbeoor-
nsrstosw, and had hoped tomcat him then. I
had occasion to speak with Hon. Mayor Baynolds,
ana wrtot, thteffbeta
minds m* of General
~ Winchester, 19th
.done I Ms
I to say, holding up a crumbled huid
efiketa of tho leaden ball, “ this re-
Id soldier* here will all rapport him and
tow whom^otiurete *ympattlo?iwteg t *to?M*
llaeon,
Tho executive committee has not, ts yel. met,
bat will take action soon; and ahiwtejlimr order •
brimarv stectloa, which we hope th^rwtftdo. old
17.—[Special.]—
will gtra Cteswml John
overwhelming majority.
Fort Valley, Go.. Mr
SAWS-”--
oterosided dlseuwlon and make
Just enough lo
gntteman lo engage In shouUnx tor th* a
.ion which ha fluted te aid when help
msch needed.
— •J.SSfiSn
nchtoain and dsd-
as will not admit of
We dislike io_ much
t Is not so clear*
ws woul3hJvaU. L We want rash
dtd statement* of hla petition
two or more lutaepeHotlona. Wot
iKS^wn^KUi-ran’t xo b&M'tET
KwSKtexfuwrighthra | rofI« ( ‘‘and «ra:
S lit laved hla nulra Goorifia too i
isreStoo In town the writer took a vom