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THE WEEKLY CONSTITUTION. ATLANTA, GA* TUESDAY JUNE I 18S6
A FLANK MOVEMENT.
GENERALOORDON STORMS MAJOR
BACON’S 6TRONOHOLD3,
Aad Tb#y Fall Bafora «»:• Magnatlam of tha Man and
tba Xtoquanea of tba flpaaktr— Chitloo**,
Walkar and OtRar OouoUaa Vtailed-
Oordon Cloba Balog Organliad.
LaFayette, Ga., May 25.—(Special.]-Gen
era! Gordon has mado a flank movement into
northwest Georgia and the result ia an In
crease of enthusiasm such as is rare to be felt
lotto coming state convention.
On Monday morning General Gordon left
Home accompanied by Colonel Robert Fouche,
for Summerville, Chattooga county. Chattooga
has beta a stronghold for Major Bacon ever
since that gentleman began hla lengthy can-
Teas* An audience of about -100 eras present to
whom General Gordon waa introduced by Mr.
Boldin in an eloquent speech. Tho preaid*
ing officer waa Colonel John Cloghorn.
General Gordon went at once to his subject
and so direct were his explanation, and con
vincing bis statementa that the cold demeanor
with which ho waa received soon warmed into
the hcaiticst of cheers. At Its closo a Bscon
county
WAS CLEARLY TRANSFERRED
to the Gordod eolomn. old men and young
men, veterans who bore tho marks of battle,
and sons of departed patriots pressed around
General Gordon and nrsured him that they
would support him. One man with an empty
sleeve, picking It up in his band,'flauntod it
in Gordon's face and said:
“That tells how I will vote."
General Gordon left Hniumervllle on Mon
day afternoon, fully satisfied that
Chattooga was safe. Monday night ho spont
at Try on factory with his old friend, Mr. Al-
good. The news that General Gordon would
speak hero today waa but poorly disseminated,
and many who would otherwise havo been
here were absent. Nevertheless an audience
of BOO persons greeted him, many of whom
ware ladies. Colonel Frsnk Thurman, who
presided, Introduced General Gordon, who waa
received with great enthusiasm.
A singular incident occurred do ring the gen
eral’s speech. Home one passed up to him a
copy of
TH* LOCAL NEWSPAPER
wherein was marked tho odltorlal assertion
that “General Gordon bad sold himself for
Joe Brawn's sordid gold." The Invective
which General Gordon showered upon the
heed of the man capable of writing such a
libel wee withering, lie said that in the in-
tercet of pobllo morals and political doccnoy
such a paper ought not to be toler
ated. Ho predated great laughter by
crumpling up the aheet Into a rough pile,
plielng It upon a sheet of stiff foolscap and
offering it around to the audience, no one of
whom seemed to want it. Dashing It down
ho trampled tho sheet nndor foot, saying;
“Iftho editor wero to npologlao the bal
ance of hie lilo he could not make amends for
the outrage ho has committed."
When tbo general stopped down ho was
presented with many bouquets, end received
assurances of many prominent citlxoni that
they would henceforth work for him. Tho
situation at present seems to bo that Chattooga
is safo beyond any doubt. This,
Walker county, has boon ‘ over
whelmingly for Bacon, but a poll
takfen of the crowd which listened to General
Gordon showed It to he tbreo to ono In his
fhvor, Tho changes are all toward Gordon,
aail appearances
The People Enthusiastic for Gordon.
On the Tuun. May 20.—[SpocUl.J—Gar
don has completed tbo circuit from Homo,
through Huinniervillo and Lafaystto, to Uin*~
gold and back to Atlanta.
When General Gordon reached Ringgold
Tuerdsy night ho left behind him two strong
Bacou counties—Chattooga and Walkor—in
which a revolution was In progress, which, if
it docs not transfer tfiem to tho Gordon cel*
timu, will, at least, give his opponent some
close i crotch ing. Information received from
( battooga slnco Monday noon Is to the offect
that Uoidon'a speech in 8ummorvillo has
changed the county. Whothor this ia war
ranted, the result at the ballot-box only can
show. As to Walker, there is no use douying
thetit has always been a strong Bacot county,
the people standing, according to Bob Dough
erty, Bacon's principal whooper-tip, seven to
one for Bacon. “Now," however, adds Mr.
Jkmgherty, “he ia three to one."
'Ttol ratio of chaugo will soon give the
county to Gordon," interrupted a listener.
“(Uncial Gordon," said Colonel Frank
Thurman, an excellent authority ou Walkor
county politics, “is suro to carry Walker, llo
is gaining every day."
'■'He will carry it by a large majority,” eaid
Dr. Werdlaw.
And thua the politicians differed In thoir
estimates so, that your correspondent leaves
the matter to the final test.
General Gordon waa watted upon at the
hotel Tuesday night by a large number of
prominent citisens; partisans to advise with
him in regard to tho situation, and political
adversaries to pay tributo to the preaonco of
agallaut soldier. This morning tho calia
were resumed, the party being re-enforced by
a large number of farmers, who camo In to
hear the speech, whloh was to he delivered at
eleven o'clock. An tutoreating feature of the
day waa the appearance of tho three seventh
district cougrcaslonal candidates. Mr. M.
Blanco, a gallant veteran with an empty
alceve. came in the night before. Gong rose-
man Clements arrived from Washington on
the morning train, and Judge Fain came in
later. All three succeeded in making thorn-
selves pleasant to the voters.
At eleven o'clock an audience of about two
hundred and fitly gathered In the courthouse.
The chair was taken by Colouel John M.
Combe.
Hon. A. T. Hackett, in presenting General
Gordon, aald:
It (rents like an act of supererogation for me to
tmtoduiv to a north Georgia audience a gentleman
w ho, tn early U/e. wa* familiar with every aureo-
walk in our mouutalus; oue who. in nunhiKM.
Hit htratnl nut hern ronrage on a hundred bloody
battlefield*; one who, tn more nutate m*nh*>f.
to lu u tn prcMloa was ranipaut tn the south, stood
os a to all ot Are between the oppressor and tho op*
frtjKti; and who. tn toe halls of oongreas. stood
up for southern rights until ithe opprewtr let go
the gmsp which ho held upon our throats. (Long
and continuous applau«> | lie ua uuu who h**
I behests Down naaaetn Georgia; a name which
will abide in history; (applause) a name not con
fined to tthln state limn#, but one known, buttered,
and loved -General John II. Gordon.
oevbul uoanoN'a arum.
The general stepped to the front amid a
•tons of applause. “Raised amid theso moun
tains,” said be, "2 see area ml ms faces famil
iar to tay early viston, and fond memory fills
my spirit with tears. It it long since 1 havo
stood in yosr midst. When lost here, in 18 J*,
I waa engaged in an enforced canvas, a canvas
which meant, net as now, a reception at tho
hands of friends, hat when the candidste car
ried his life In his hands. 1 was elected then,
l*ut was counted out. 1 am going to hs elect
ed now again, and will not be conntod oat,
[Applause ] You are my witneiaos." contin
ued the general, "chat for five years I havo
borne such toutururiy, slander and vitupera
tion nahai been but*. Mom viiitod upon a
man."
The general then took up the story of his
resignation from the Ran ate. “I resigned,’*
raid It, “as many meu before me have re
signed, as Alexander Hamilton resigned, to
attend to private business, at a time when res
ignation neither wrought injury to party in
terests or to tho public service. There was a
time,” he said, “when I did not resign [cheers]
and when some other people did! My oppo
nent admits that he resigned from the Ninth
Georgia regiment; it was a gallant, a grand
regiment. Ho grew mad when asked why
he so resigned; and so infaristod did he
become that I thought the war had broken
out ajrnin. He pleaded typhoid fever, not
only for himself, but for his father." This
subject was further elucidated to the amuse*
merit of the eudlence.
“Where was Mitfor Bacon," thundered Gen
eral Gordon, “when Jackson led his serried
ranks into the gaping laws of dcath7 Where
waa he then? Back In Georgia, gathering up
•beep, and chickens and eggs! That was a
time when I would like to have resigned but
when duty to the country forbato it. If all
tbo sick hadgono homo like my adversary,
Undo Robert would havo been left alone in
the bloody trenches of Virginia. [Cheers.]
There was another timo when 1 didn't resign
—frem J*7.’t to 1880, almost as trying os the
days from 'til to ’ti5." General Gordon then
detailed tho eminent services which in the
then peculiar state of affairs ho was enabled
by his history to perform. Ho pictured the
lasttcrribJo struggle, when stato after state
had thrown off the shackles of reconstruction
Houth Carolina stood alone. Ho told in
graphic detail, of tho contending factions in
tbo Houth Carolina legislature; the presence of
armed men; the gloom of the peoplo; his com*
mission from Hampton to Washington. And
when at last be told tho story of how he se
cured from President Hayes the order to inovo
the troops, ho was greeted with tumultuous
applause In which tbo ladies joinod.
•“How conics it,’ nak my opponents," said
General Gordon, “'that you could not llvo in
Washington on $5/100 a year?’ “Becauso,"
said he, “Washington waa flooded with mon
who had fought nndor mo, who came in the
honest quest of employment. They met with
disappointment, moneyless, away from home,
struggling with ad verso fate, bow could 1
•fund by and see them suffer? How could 1
•till my heart to tbo ties of comradeship?
Whenever I refuse to divide with such a man
Or woman, as long aa God gives mo the means,
may tho lightnings of heaven blast me. [Up-
roarous applause,] No more infernal attack
has ever been made on mo thau these charges
Which have been whispered around. I want
go vindication, bat I want you to teach these
$oys by yeur action that the way to riso to
power Is not by pulling others down; that there
are other planes than those of alaoder and de
traction. But why, theeo critics ssk, did -yon
design right then. Simply because that was
9>y opportunity. If I wanted to make money by
hidden means I could havo done It In the sen-
hen 8cott's Southern Pacific scheme
before tho senate; in which
millions of profit were at stake,
silence could hare won for me
a colossal fortune. I could have had an at
tack of typhoid fovor [lagbter] and thus won
foonoybymy absence and immunity from
criticism by season of my alleged illnees."
General Gordon told tho story of Major
Bacon riding Into a convention at the head of
s largo vote, gathered up frem tho opposition
of Joe Brown, yotwhen finding himself a fow
votes abort, closeting himself with Joe Brown.
"Trade? Bacon trade? What a sight for Gods
and men!"
Tho othor points at Israo wore tersely
touened upon, and mado an evident Impres
sion. The Montgomery trip was described In
trims which drew tears to tho ladies' eyes.
Iu concluding General Gordon called for an
expression of opinion.
Foveutyflvo hands went up for Gordon.
Four lono hand* weut up for Bacon.
“1 am satisfied with that Indication," said
Chairman Combs.
"Oh, we’re too polito to vote against the
general in his presence," said a Bacon man.
“Well,” sniftered Chairman Combs, “wo’ll
meet you again next Tuesday."
At Dalton about 500 people wero
gathered who called for Gordon with great
enthusiasm.
"I am glad to sco you,"said Gtneral Gordon
blandly, appearing on the roar platform. “I am
a Uttlo hoarse, but J am not as bad off os to-
Ihcr fellow! I am happy because I feel hsppy.
1 am going to be elected, [cheers.] But you
must watch theso courthouse fellows. Call in
tho mou from tho country. Don't let half a
doxen men dictato tho policy of a whole peo
plo. Let the people—all the peoplo— vote, and
defeat cliques of ovory kind. 2 have traversed
Bacon's strongholds with him, and with the
exception of Richmond 2 will carry everyone
of them, and even Richmond is claimed by
some of my friends. My opponent would
make a good governor—he has never had tho
manliness to return the compliment—hut the
only trouble is he started too soon
A voice—And got the typhoid fever!
General Gordon—And gets mad when ho is
told about it.
Tho train pulled out, Gordon bowing his
acknowledgments and the peoplo chocring
aud throwing llowors after him.
At Calhoun 100 men were gathered. One
stalwart looking citison on the platform
waved hl« hat and called out:
"Three cheers for Governor Gordon!"
They were given with a will, and a rath
was made upon General Gordon by tho clti-
*cun, who shook his hand vigorously.
At Kingston two hundred people wero gath
ered. A stop of fire minutes was made, during
wbteh time General Gordon went ont among
the people aud received an ovation.
THE RECEPTION IN CABTERSVILLB.
An andience of not lees than five hundred
people was gathered at the depot in Carters-
villa, where Gordon received marked atten
tion. From tho car platform he addressed
the people, speaking In complimentary terms
of his opponent, and stating that he would
bo flattered by the vote of Bartow. A Urge
and magnificent bouquet was handed up by
Mrs. Akin.
At Acworth fifty voters wero present, who
gave three times three foi Gordon, aud at Big
Shanty about the saute number wero in wait
ing. Six gentlemen stepped out of the passing
car, and asked for General Gordon. They
were Mceats. Chuck Anderson, T. W. Glover,
A. C. Hcgglc, F. B. Chaudler, George 8. Owens
and S. A. Audersou. They were sent up as a
special committee of citiacus of Marietta, to
capture the general for tho night. As it was
iirpoaalbte to make this arrangement, it waa
concluded to make a stop of half an hour.
FLOWER*. REACTV AND ENTHUSIASM.
Win u Marietta was reached, It was found
that for five hundred yards the spaoe between
ti e track and the Fletcher hooso waa filled
with enthusiastic Gordon people. Tho plat-
lorm and the vsrandahs of the hotel as well
were c rowded with beautiful ladies, most of
whom bad bouquet* of great beauty and rare
design. General Gordon waa conducted
tl rough the cheering throng to the hotel step*
whe re. flaLkcd by the beauty and chivalry of
Cobb, he addressed fifteen hundred as sympa
thetic people as ever listened to an orator.
“In IriSS," said the geueral, as soon as ho
could get iu a word between tho cheers, I
stood m ar this very spot, a candidate for the
govcrcorhip, to which I was elected, and to
which 1 will be again elected. Before my
name was announced it waa stated by certain
sheets that they would make it hot for Gor
don. Well, it cceina that it got hotter for tho
other fellow."
A voice—The adjutant ia ou the sick list
General Gordon—“When I mentioned his
resignation in the face of the enemy he got
mad, something which he should have done in
IMK.” General Gordon spoke ot the Mont
goxnory celebration, and touched upon several
braea of the campaign. As be proceeded to
tho train he was pelted with a shower of boa
qaets, which fell fast and thick upon him,
Several gentlemen aided him in gathering
them np, and when the train pulled out it was
amid tho tumult of cheors for the chivulnc
Gordon! I»ba Jav.
General Gordon's Addrau In Hartwell.
Hartwell, Go., May 27.—[Special.]—Gen
eral Gordon reached here this morning at 6
o'clock, having traveled all night. He came
on an extra train from Toccoa, accompanied
by Colonel E. Schafer, James Wilson, superin
tondent of the Elberton and Hartwell road,
Lewis Davis, of Toccoa, and Mr. O'Bryan, of
Atlanta.
The general's arrival waa not expected so
early, but he was met and conducted to the
Bobo house by a delegation of our beat citizens,
where he rcstod for a few hours, after which
ho received calls from • host of prominent
men of our town aud county. Many of the old
told lent of oar county who served with him
more than twenty years ago greeted him with
great enthusiasm. Such a manifestation of
devotion was never seen in our town as was
shown, not only by the old soldiers but by
many who havo known him in peace.
Mr. J. W. Harper, a highly respected citizen
of our county, said today:
“When I was wounded in the war and had
travelled about as long as I could walk, Gen*
oral Gordon happened to ride up bohind me.
Ho saw I was making a poor out getting along
and ho asked what was tho raitter. I told
him, and ho dismounted and at once placed
mo in his euddlo and said: 'You ride. I'll try
tho mud.' Can I over turn my back on raoh a
man? No, never. Geueral Gordon was no
candidate then; did not know he would live
another day. Tell mo that a man who hose
heart like that and all the other requisite
qualifications would not make a good gov*
ernor. I’ll vote for him if I havo to walk all
day to do it." *
This Is only ono of the many encomiums
General Gordon received hero today. Every*
body has talked about him all day.
j Promptly at eleven o'clock the large crowd
assembled at the courthouse. After music by
the Hartwell brass bond Professor W.B.Dortoh t
of Bowersvillc, presented General Gordon in
the following eloquent manner:
- Fellow citizens: The distinguished gentleman
Who will speak to you * today needs no eulogy,
•s my friends, his name will llvo In the history of
this country so long as dvlllsed government pre
vails. 2 have the honor now of Introducing to you
the soldier, statesman and patriot General John B,
Gordon, candidate for governor, who was elected
In 1 and counted out
General Gordon arose amid a deafening ap
plause and said:
“I am going to be elected in 1880, odd
counted In."
Frem that, which waa only raid in answer to
tho Introduction, ho proceeded word by word,
Kutonco by sentence, and chapter by chapter
to handle the charges of his enemies, and he
refuted them line man nor that would con
vince any reasonable man that they wore un
true. He challenged anybody to substantiate
even ono chargo that waa brought against
him that would render him unworthy In any
way of tho confidence of the people.
Having just learned that Major Bacon would
•peak In Hartwell on next Saturday, ho said:
"Ho ia following mo up. That isn’t tho way
I fight. 1 don't believe in fighting in the
back. The way I propose to fight is faco to
face."
It ia useless to repeat tho many things that
ho aald, as the readers of The Constitution
are familiar with the iaauos involved. Ho
•aid in reference to tho Stato road that he
would, if elected governor, veto any legis
lation proposing to oithor sell oi
lease the rood. General Gordon set himself
right with our peoplo on every issuo brought
•gainst him. Our cltlxons havo great reason
to tslieve that there might be danger in elect
ing Major Bacon governor os ho is attorney
for one of tho strongest competing Hues tho
Stato rood has, and thoy romombor also what
Mafor Bacon did onco when the poople inter
ested along tho lino of tho East Tennessoe,
Virginia and Georgia road forced him to take
a stand.
As an evidence of how tbo sudienco stood
General Gordon lu conclusion asked an expres
sion. A hundred and fifty bands went up for
Gordon and from twenty to twenty-five wont
up for Baeon. Many ef our best citisens, who
have been undecided os to who thoy should
support, now express themselves fully satisfied
as to who should bo Georgia's next governor.
Mr. J. U. Msgiil, editor of tho Hartwell Hud,
and ono whom all our citisens roeognlze as
being loyal and tnio to any cause which ho
advocates, and who has soon proper tn tho
pest to defend tho position of Mi^jor Bacon,
through the columns of our county paper, will
publish the following editorial in tomorrow's
is»ue.
General John R. Gordon, candidate for governor
of Georgia addressed the people of Hart county tu
the court houso on Thursday morning at 11 o'clock.
Be made, In <ur opinion, a fair
and square speech, setting himself right upon
all tho charges that have been brought against him,
Be did tbta plainly and unequivocally. Ills
speech was enthusiastically received, and It
waa demonstrated beyond a doubt that
the audience was for him by a largo
majority. Our position la this—if Major Bacon can
convince ns tn Ids address next Saturday that Gen
eral Gordon falsified his position then we shall
vote for Baeon, If not wo shall vote for Gordon. In
Justice to Major Bacon we will say we don’t know
that he has a personal enemy tn our couuty, but
our people don't hare to hate Major ltacon and his
friends to think a great deal of General Gordon
and give him their support wheu the issuo comes
between them." #
Tho call of the meeting of the democratic
patty of Hart county to decide upon tho man
ner of selecting delegates for tho gubernatorial
and congressional conventions is 'postponed
till the first Tuesday in July. This action of
the democratic committee ia considered strange,
tossy the least of it. When tho connty was
considered one of the strongest Bacon counties
the committee could hardly set a day saon
enough for the county to ect. Now. that they
fiud that the county hu changed for Gordon,
they change the data In order that they might
have e little more time to “fix" things. The
county is solid for Gordon,
After tho speaking in Hartwell, (Ionoral
Gordon waa accompanied to the depot by a
very large crowd of enthusiastic fricnis.
Quite a number of whom escorted him as tar
as Bowersvillc, where he was again met by a
large number of friends. After being seated
to e most elegant dinner at Bowcraville and a
half horn’s pleasant conversation with his
many friends he was escorted to CarncsviUo
where he again addressed a largo audience,
tho courthouse at that pl&cc
being filled to its utruest capacity. After an
hour's speech it was verr evident that ho had
tie crowd with him. He again appealed to
the people to rote aud put dowu L r onco and
for ever these little courthwuae cliques wh:ch
tried to deprive the people of the right to ex
press their choice at the ballot box. lie was
interrupted frequently by appltnsa tint at
times would laat for a considerable time.
Alter the speech quite a number wh j had
But up to that lime derided, came over on
Gordon's aide.
The Gallant Soldier In Camming.
General Gordon spoke at Camming in For
syth connty, Friday et twelve o'clock. He
was escorted from Buford to Camming by a
number of friends with a brass band. He had
a crowd of several hundred people in Cutu
rning, and his speech was received with great
enthusiasm.
Ex-Senator McAfee asked him daring the
speech “What is your position on tho sale of
the State road?" “2 am opposed to the sale of
the State road," General Gordon replied, “and
would veto any bill looking to its sale.”
Tbe effect of the speech was fine. The eouo
ty bad been considered solid for Bison, but it
ia so no longer.
“I have found" said a gentleman who had
been with General Gordon“thatfwhen!«county
Is said to be "solid" for Bacon it simply means
that a few politicians are for Bacon. When
yon get tbe people ont, yon find they are for
Gordon."
General Gordon left Friday night on the
West Point train for LaGrange, where he was
met by a large number of Friends.
A Rousing Speech in Harris Connty.
CxniTJSY. Ga., May 29.—[Special.]—General
Gordon arrived this morning at the busy little
city of LaGrange at three o'clock, and was
met by a committee of the following gentle*
men: Major A. D. Abraham, Dr. J. A. Chap-
pel, J. C. Forbes, Captain J. E. Swanson, C. H.
McFarlane, E. B. Clark and Neal Truitt.
At Chi|)ley a large delegation from Green
ville and the surrounding country joined tho
party, accomprnied by the Greenville brass
Lind. On arriving at Hamilton, General Gor
don waa met by
A VAST THRONG
of fnthuiiariic friends, who were in march
under a tcautiful banner with the inscrip
tion, “For GoveraorGenml John B. Gordon."
Tbo tanner was tastefully decorated. Gen
eral Gordon, amidst the wildest enthusiasm
end prolonged cheers,waa escorted to the hotel.
On his way from the depot, the air wm rent
with hurrahs tar Gordon.
The crowd wis (imply wild with excite
ment. General Gordon lifted bis bat and
salt’:
“I appreciate beyond expression this grand
demonstration, and will speak to you, my
countrymen, in the courthouse, at eleven
o'clock, where 2 tops to see each of you."
Long before tho hour of eleven o'clock, the
courthouse wss filled to its utmost capacity.
Every window was filled with enthusiastic
friends.
At the hour for the speaking General Gor
don was escorted from the hotel to the conrt
houso by Colonel J. M. Mobley, Hen. W. 2.
Hudson, J. M. Kimbrough, Charles G. Flour-
ney, A. D. Abrahams aud two one armed and
wounded soldiers, Crawford snd Green Faller.
: As General Gordon entered the room, tho
wildest excitement prevailed with cheers and
yells for, “Gordon, Gordon, Gordon." After
quiet was restored Colonel J. M. Mobley aroso
and said that General Gordon had boon in
vited to addrciR the people of Harris county,
who entertained tbo highest es
teem for him and by request
of tho people tho meeting would bo organised
by calling a chairman. After the programme
was announced Colonel Mobloy moved that
Hon. W. T. Hudson take the chair, which was
unanimously adoptod. After aome most com
plimentary remarks by the chairman of Gen
eral Gordon, ho called on Hon. J. M. Kim
brough, one of General Gordon'e old soldiers,
to introduco him to tho audionce, which was
most happily dono in the following oloquout
remarks:
Ladles and gentlemen—I have the honor and
great pleasure ot Introducing to you today a gen
tleman that la distinguished in warand in peace:
ono whose namo will lire long after he has pasted
sway; a gentleman who has often been weighed
In tho balanco and never found wanting; one that
ban proved fallhftil and true to every trust In the
past; both In military and civil
life; ono that I verily bellero will
prove true to every trust tn the ftitare.
W ell do 1 remember how ho performed tho duties
Imposed upon him during tho lsto war, for It was
my fortuno to be In the same command almost
from first to last, and I can truthfully say he
never flinched from duty nor sought to evade tho
dangers of battle. On tho contrary, whon tho
tight waa thickest, hottest and most deadly, there
was he. It was tho gallant Coio-
ncl Gordon that led the grand
old 6th Alabama regiment over tho breastworks
at tbc{battlo of Seven Pines, and after tho battlo
was over his uniform showed that lourtoon ballets
bad passed through 1L Who was It that assisted
tho grand old chieftain, General R. E. Loc, in
checking and repulsing the federal host on the
morning of ;thetfd of May, 1863? Fellow-soldiers
of tbe %th Georgia regiment,who wss it that rode
op to the line of battle at SpotUy Irani* courthouse
and enquired whstcommaud Is this? When told by
the min who had led hta hone oft of tho line that we
were Georgian*, a smile lit up his face and he said:
**1 will go back and toll my men that their
flank Is protected by Georgtaus." Who was U that
dismounted and gave his bone to sick and tired sol
diers and walked In the mud aud dust with the
privates of his command? Who was It that led
tbo last desperate charge at Appomattox court
house? Fellow-citizens, who was it that was elect
ed governor of Georgia in 1*8 and counted oat by
scalawags and carpet baggers? Who will be elect
ed governor of Georgia in isstf aud not counted
out?
Kumben began yelling “Gordon! Gordon!
Gordon!"
'The distinguished gentleman I have the honor
of Introducing to you today is General John a Gor
don, or DcKalb county."
GKMKRAL GORDON'S SPEECH.
General Gordon arose In the midst of the
wildest enthusiasm, (It was several minutes
before quiet could be restored), and began by
saying:
2 little deserve the high compliment paid
me, but 2 will say just here in the pretence of
this vest audience, that what I have been to
yon, my countrymen, in the past, I shall be to
you unto the end, God being my helper."
[Ixmd and continued applause.]
General Gordon spoke for one hoar and twenty
minutes to this crowded house, at the end of
which time almost the entire hoase was with
him, Bacon men being few aad far between.
General Gordon defined hla position clearly
and most forcibly as to the sale of the 8tate
rood, and also his position on the railroad
commission. His speech was very forcible,
and it waa tho unanimous verdict that hla ex
planation of every charge against him ia un
answerable. lie urged tho people to put down
the little
COCRTtlOUSE cliques'
end vote for the man ot their choice. He dem
onstrated to them the danger in allowing a
few politicians at the connty site to run the
affairs in spite of the will of the people. He
only insisted on haring the voice of tbe people
expressed through the ballot box. At tho con
clusion of General Gordon’s speech greet num
bers gathered around him and escorted him to
the hotel piazza where he held quite a recep
tion for some time. The speech in Hamilton
a very marked effect.
Quite a large number who had
not been pronounced before are now
very enthusiastic supporters of General Gor
don.
At four o'clock General Gordon was escort
ed to the depot. There were at least three
or four hundred persona present when the
train drew np. l«ond shouts rent the air as the
train departed. All present gave three load
ebeere tar "General J. B. Gordon, the next
governor of Georgia."
A Gordon Cltb Organised In At Unto.
1 he meeting and organisation of the Young
Men’s Gordon clnb last night, at the court
hoase, wa" attended by about three hundred
voters.
At half-vast seven the committee having
arrangemerto in charge deeided to postpone
the organization, and so informed Colonel
Albert H. Cox, who had consented to address
the meeting.
When Colonel Cox arose, he was greeted
with loud aud prolonged applause, and when
silence was obtained, no said:
'•I appreciate the disadvantages under which
ycu have mot to honor
A OLEAT AND TRUE MAN,
and the honor done me by the Invitation to ad
dress you. [Applause.) Nearly twenty years agothe
young men of Atlanta formed tbe first democratic
club of the state,and they, while the Incomparable
B1U, [cheers] spoke as man never spoke before,
and the great Toombs again grew eloquent as of
yore, In the struggle to ssve the rights of our
stato, involving the rights of all the states and the
final perpetuity of a real union of equal states, the
man selected, as the bravest of the brave in peril,
to bear the colon, to take the risk of defeat, to both
speak and act and bear the brunt, was this same
gallant and glotlona Gordon whom we follow now
[Applause and cries of Gordon.]
The greatest evil of politics where there is but
one real party Is calumny. It Is ever tho assured
pt ivilegc of tbe little to calumniate the great. Tbe
grandestttingagnat ever does is to light on tbe
mane of a lion. This evil J« specially deplorable
whore regardless of (differences ot opinions
on matters of detail, all the people
gathered together In self-defense. Under such
circum»tance»,charlty Is commendablo and calum
nies to be condemned by all the wise and good.
"1 stand tho calumniator of no man, the apolo
gist of no man. Toward Mr. Bacon I entertain tbo
kindest feelings of personal friendship and admi
ration, arid no one of hla many friends wiihe*£for
liim|more than I, the honors which await him in
public service. Were General Gordon not In this
race 1 should support him and he knows It.
“Nor have I any apology to offer for anv act of
Gordon's. Ilia brilliant record Iu war and in
pence would rebuke apology. [Cheers.] I con
demn tbe insinuated calumnies* of the campaign
against him. It is lualnuated, not asserted, indefi
nitely Insinuated, not charged with the accuracy
of indictment, that ho resigned in accordance with
tome sort of corrupt understanding with others of
the most honored of the public men of Georgia.
[Cheers.] If. ever there waa political adjudication,
that chargeSbcen repudiated by the people—not
once, but again and again, and
NOT UNCERTAINLY, RUT DECISIVELY,
“Why, oh, why should Gordon be made a scape
goat? Why should the others be honored and he
slaughtered? Why should we bo aaked to tarnish
him alone, and In tarnishing his tamo belittle that
glory which la his and ours, which be went forth
and reaped like a harvest, and brought £bomc to
honor the people that produced him. [Loud cries
of Gordon.]
“Was it ever before heard of that place was re
signed for corrupt purpose? Men seek place often
for private purposes, to acoompllsh some end, but
resignation of place in which, if corrupt, millions
could be mode by corruption, has never before
this been charged as proof of corruption.
The llloglcism of the position Is apparent.
That he resigned to enter into enterprises
to restore his private fortunes, to pay his honest
debts, pressing on him, looks moro like a sacrifice
to a man's doty. ("Yes, yes."]
“But ft fs said he failed in some business enter
priser. And did not Webster? Are not some of
his promissory notes curiosities until today? And
while in public life was not the great Ilarryfof tho
West constantly crippled? and did not his constit
uency twice redeem Ashland from mortgages, that
he might remain In hla country’s service? How
many of our own great men accumulated and left
fortunes? Sad indeed will be the day when
only (the mammon • bound million
sires can hold office. Bad Indeed,
And | fateful tho day, whon to
tho honorable aspiration of any poor man in this
country, It shall bo any answer that he has not
been a getter of gold! [Applause.]
“It la said that he
MADE CAMPAIGN MATERIAL
of tbo cortmonlos at Montgomery and Atlanta.
Was it unnatural that Alabama should call on
Gordon, and that he who never refused to respond
to the bogle cell ot duty should go to honor tho
memory of men who foil under his command?
[Applautc.] Why should not Alabama, the
daughter of Georgia, call on Gordon who went to
his career from Alabama, and who brought homo
glory as the heritage of both? [Cheers.] It was
natural and honorable—honorable to Gordon, to
Alabama and to us; and that ho waa prominent is
but a scquonco of bis glory aud our glory is hla.
Ills modesty in Atlanta, all who were oyc-wltnewcs
know, was msrkod and deserves another chaplet.
[Applause.]
•Theso havo been the unreasonable aud puerile
Insinuations and assertions against this man.
How trifling the attack on such a career.
Often a want of attack ia explained by
tho want of record but notio his. What is that
record?
“From 1861 to 1865 his glory grew brighter as our
fortunes grew darker. [Applause ) As line by
line the gigantic shadow of fate darkened our land,
across Its black bosom bis sword draw the bright
est rays of hope. As our fortunes sank his spirit
soared. [Applause.] Then, to a grateful people,
while hla abilities and courage were fresh pic
tures, who came closo into their admiration and
love? [A voice,’.Gordon.]
YES, IT WAfl GORDON.
And now we are told that Ithe war-record idea Is
stale. But it Is not stale as evidencing ability-
ability to organise, ability to handle men. ability
to master the strategy of campaigns, abilities of
the highest order. [Gordon! Gordon!] And we
read in one paper. “Snow him under!" Snow him
under? Many a time and oft
In tho winters of Virginia he was snowed under
and In the morning shook off tho shoots of the
atorml and went out to battle for us! 8now him
under? Yea. ("We will not!") {Over tho great
est speaker of 18G3 tho snow white marble is
ralMil. Kindly may the sun of heaven shine on it;
lightly ma; the showers frail on It, and at last when
we come, as In Ume we must, to follow this glori
ous Georgian to his rest In the Westminister of
tame, may another monument, white as snow,
forever perpetuate the memory of our greatest
actor and doer In all those days that triad men's
souls. [Loud applause.]
“Bhsll 1 refer u> his senatorial career? It had no
critic, lie was unanimously solected. That hla
services wero commensurate with the
great demands ot that high place in
trylug times let that fact attest and prove!
But after his resignation he went Into work in the
ns lure ef public service, though called private
enterprires. Who was It that took up the corpse
of tbe Georgia Western and transformed it into the
Georgia Pacific? [A voice: Gordon.] Yea, again.
Gordon; and that one act will stand comparison
with any act of his opponent in good service to
the state. [Cheers.]
“To revive such an enterprise, and organise It
into success, required
ABILITY or HIOH ORDER.
By It one portion of our state was opened up. By
It cheap coal was brought into Georgia; and every
manufactory owes it to him, and every poor woman
who else might shiver in tho cold owes it to him.
ICheers.]
“But os matter of strange objection It is
raid he has been engaged tor years in Florida en-
terpriics. And what is Florida but an entrepot
of Georgia, as to the trade of Cuba and the South
American republics? If be shall succeed In build
ing his lines to Pants Rosso, far down on the
peninsular, tbe trade of the southeast will avoid
the long and dangerous sailing round the reef
coast, aud coming over direct routes pass through
Giorgio, leaving Its alluvial In all the cities of
our state. [Cheers.]
“Such enterprises as these arc at last the acts of
true statesmanship. What is statesmanship but
to take measures to better one's country? The
time was long ago when the south was powerful
pi our nation. Prcionderanceof power in a com
petitive Kit ion baa caused us our misfortunes.
REIU1! D OUR WASTE PLACES,
as Hill compressed it, to develop our section, that
equalization of powers shaU result at last la
equalization of rights, ia the work of real wisdom
aud foresight. This, in a large view hu been the
work of Gordon since hla retirement, and If he
had no record in war, would commend him as
worthy of his aspirations now. [Cheers.]
“His race will slay nobody. The past very con
clusively shows that no one defeat
CAN (LAI OUTER OACON.
[Cheers.] Defeat on the insinuations of this
cami sign would far more keenly hart Gordon than
Bacon. But be It this way or bo It that, Gordon
will ever le an honor to n>. [cheers. 1 At last,
like Foot, he will look on bIs country from the
ca»t!e windows of his fame, and behold a land
w hioh In war he illuminated with the heroUna of
a roldier and in peace bles*ed with tha exertions
ol a patriot.” [Cheer*.]
Bacon Delivers Speeches In Hart, Franklin
and Habersham Counties.
Hartwell, May 29.—[Special.]—K^jor A.
O. Bacon arrived at Bowersville, Hart county,
at 7&0 o'clock this morning on his way from
Elberton to HartwelL
Major Bacon was accompanied to Hartwell
by exactly fifty of hia supporters; forty-eight
of them were from Elberton and two wero
from Bowersville. The former,indhe expres
sive language of a citizen of Hartwell, wore
present to regulate the yelling.
The train arrived at Hartwell at 9 o'clock.
At tbe depot u crowd of ono hundred, com
peted of men, women and children, mot Mqjor
Bacon. Part of the crowd cheered as ho
•lighted from tho train and part »houtod"Htir-
rabifor Gordon." A brass band waa present,
tented in a wagon. 2t played a tuno while
Major Bacon was escorted to a seat in a car
riage drawn by four white horses. Preceded
by tbe band, the carriage was driven aroand
the courthouse square to the hotel, moat of
the crowd using an alley as a short cut to tho
•s me place. On the square there was no en
thusiasm,with the exception of a linglo cheer.
As Major Bacon got out of the carriage at tho
hotel, after a little handshaking ho retired to
a room where he received those of hissupport-
ens who desired to pay thoir reapocta to
him.
Tbe operation resulted in revealing the fol
lowing state of affairs: Tho voters in Hartwell
are nearly evenly divided between Major
Bacon and General Gordon, the preponderance
being in favor of Goneral Gordon. The votero
in I ho country aro overwhelmingly in favor of
General Gordon. Goneral Gordon’* support
ers In both town and country aro wide awska,
and are determined that no trick, whatever
its nature, shall prevent the selection of dele
gates who will vote for hia nomination. While
tho statement anticipates events, yet it may
bo emphatically said at this point thAt tho
condition of affairs just outlined is a true
bill, and that Major Bacon’s speech did not
even in the slightest degree make on altera
tion.
A taw minutes before eleven o'clock tho
band began to play on the courthouse balcony. •
In response to tho summons, tho poople gath
ered in tho superior courtroom where the
speech was to be delivered. With tho aid of
representative citixens, The Constitution's
representative made on analysis of the crowd.
There were in the courtroom three hundred .
snd fifty people. One hundred wero white
voters, a majority being Major Bseon'f sup- (
porters. Two hundred Were ladles
and pupils of the Hartwell
high school. Fifty were negroes^ Consider
ing the crowd ns a whole, Its sympathies wero
almost evenly divided between Major Bacon
and General Gordon, as Was instanced by the
different badges worn, and by. the ehoers tar
one or the other gentleman. It was not as
largo a crowd os greeted General Gordon on
Thursday, nor was it half os enthusiastic. On
Thursday men were wild with enthusiasm,
aud cheered until they were hoarse. Today
there waa enthusiasm, but it was spasmodic
and much mixed.
Ho said that ho was' In favor of a commis
sion that should stand between tho peoplo
aud tbo railroads just as a conrt does between
individuals. This statement many of his
hearers thought equivocal or conld bo inter
preted to suit himself. He said that Goneral
Gordon had charged him with trying
to defeat a bill placing the
East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia rail
road on tho same footing with other roads
with refcrenco to suits for damages to person
or property. He admitted the troth of tho
charge, but said he tried to defeat the bill be
cause the road was in tho hands of a receiver,
and therefore could not legally be
sued. Ho claimed that tbe committee
of tho legislature to which the bill was com
mitted sustained his view,excoptlng oneraom-^
her, Ellis, of Atlanta, an attorney of the
Western and Atlantic, a rival road. Then he
disclaimed any intention to reflect on Ellis,
hut his hearers understood tho statement as a
reflection, nevertheless. He mado a pro
longed and bitter attack on General Gordon
on account of his resignation as United States
senator. He disclaimed slandering General
Gordon, but commented and questioned
in such a way as to leave tho
impression on ail that heard him that Goneral
Gordon resigned from unworthy motives. He
eliminated Senators Colquitt and Brown from
tho discussion and laid the entire blame on
General Gordon. He then proceeded to belit
tle General Gordon's services to Louisiana
and Sonth Carolina. This part of the speech
was received in dead ailenoe. He took up tho
question of the lease of the Western and At
lantic railroad, and again denying that ho in
tended to charge General Gordon with wrong,
he threw more sugar-coated mud balls.
Previous to delivering his speech M^jor
Bacon sent for Mr. J. H. McGill, editor of tho
Hartwell Sun, and endeavored to reason him
out of his recent editorial stand, which was
partially favorable to General Gordon. Mr*
McGill told him that he preferred to hear his
speech, after which he would determine which
of the candidates he would rapport. After
the speech Mr. McGill refused to express an
opinion, saying that he would announce his
position in the noxt issue of his paper. Mgjor
Bacon left Hartwell at 1:30 o’clock, accompan
ied os far os Bowersville by tho Elberton con
tingent. At one point in the speech
he said that he had been Informed that
General Gordon had raid at Carneavilla
that the Idea of his being connected
with the convict lease was a huge joke. Far
mer Sloan Bruce interrupted by saying, “Ha
didn't say it."
This opeet Major Bacon and he said, “Well
he said it somewhere else."
Then he proceeded to throw moro ragar ,
coated mud balls. At another point Major
Bacon aaked the question, “Is General Gor
don the man to elect governor?" Farmer
Sloan Brace replied:
“Yes."
This upsetMgjor Bacon again. There was
absolutely no enthusiasm at Martin’s, and bat
little applause. _____
From One of the “Raccoon Roughs.^
Loachapoka, Ala., May 28.—Editors Con
stitution : 1 am a (ubacriber to your valuable pa-
per, and think It toe beat paper in toe south for
see my’ honored ard highly
General John B. Gordon, tn a candidate forgov-
ernor In your state And I, an old aoldler ofthe
Sixth Alatema regiment, who waa with hirntwo
•nd a half year* in Virginia. wUh to apeak » wort
for him. 1 met him at Montaomerv. Ala., to; 41,
he waa captain of the Raccoon BousU*. The Sixth
Alabama waa organized (here and Gordon wra
elected major. Take General Gordon aa a man
up one aide and down the other, •udforai 1
work 1 don't think be h" a superior In toe nlt-
cd States. I bad rather barei him for president
. preichtr,
but I have aeenblm take hta
collect toe rokHera on Sunday and reed a sermon
«r.<l pemmem on It to tMra. ... ..
1 Iut. Men him walk ind 1ft Urea tolaler* ria.
hi, bone, while he would uke th. ian'1. IImto
rtrti man, private toUHon Ito »n<l taltc rrithhlrn
even when btn> verr bmjr, awl bo would. at-
... i treat them iblcdnr. You could .pproMbbtot
coder asy ud .11 clrcMMUuiM. and be treuwl
plcMniljr. Ha WM kind »nd obiuin*. and hia.
tbe 6th Alabama regiment, loved him. He wm
.. brave a Du a. ever trod Virginia jotl. I wm
»Uh him at Oolrl Harbor. Malvern Hill, booth
nunntnlD. Anleltun, umtpbnr* and other placm.
1 have been with him when the mlcntc balta
came thick and fait, and I ban never Ken him
blm b in the least.
Gordon In a man. aud oh. bow l would lore to
vote for him for any office he would want. I had
tbe pleasure <>( shaking his hand recently—tbe
tint time rir.ee toe war—but he wai pasting on
tbe train, and I could only speak a wort or two