The Portland daily press., 1866-12-20
The Georgia Equal Rights Association

The Georgia Equal Rights Association.
This association was formed on the 10th day
of last January, and has been undoubtedly
of great service to the Freedmen of Georgia
and their friends. Its last session, at Macon,
was attended by eighty-six delegates repre-
senting fOrty-one counties. The association is
composed entirely of colOred men, but in con-
sideration of the inexperience of the delegates
in all matters of business, after due delibera-
ton Capt. J. E. Bryant, of Maine, was request
ed to preside at their meetings. Capt. Bryant
is the editor of the Loyal Georgian, and has
been conspicuous for his devoted labors in be-
half of this long oppressed people
1t is to be regretted that an unfortunate
quarrel with Gen. Tillson, the Assistant
Commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau for
Georgia, has prevented the hearty co-opera-
ton of two Maine men, engaged in the same
work, and both no doubt actuated by the best
of motives. We mentioned last summer the
scene at meeting of the Council of the Associa-
ton, at which Gen. Tillson took occasion to be
present and allowed himself to use very severe
language respecting Capt. Bryant The Coun-
Gil at the time passed a resolution thanking
Gen. Tillson for his speech and another express
ing undated confidence in Capt Bryant. The
seeming contradiction is easily explained. The
members OF the Council, like the people of
Maine were disposed to overlook the heated
allegations of either gentleman against the
other, and to recognize the actual merits of
both.
As this action, however, was open to miscon-
fI1a Acon of re
chose to set itself right by adopting the follow
ing resolution: Ea
ResolUed, That whereas General Davis Till
son came into meeting of the Council of this
Association, and denounced our President
Capt. j. e. Bryant-as liar, a scoundrel, a
beggar and villain, and whereas vote of
| thanks was passed by the Council for his
speech, not intending thereby to thank him for
denouncing our President but for the valuable
information which the speech contained, con-
corning matters which were of interest to our
people, and did not relate to Capt. Bryant, and
whereas the intention of the members of the
Council in passing the resolution has been
misunderstood, we direct the Secretary of the
Council to expunge the resolution from the
records of the Council.
The following resolution was offered, but was
defeated by vote of "a to q, many delegates
refusing to vote:
hSSOtU6U, 1udt ILLS SOuNeutlOu u0HOuuce
General Tillson for charging one of our best
friends-the President of this Association
with being liar, a scoundrel, a beggar and a
villain, and we assure all persons that we have
full confidence in the honesty, integrity and
faithful labors in our behalf of Capt. Bryant
This sufficiently indicates the estimation in
which Capt. Bryant is held by the Association.
We take occasion again to express our regret
at this unfortunate difficulty, and also our
strong disapprobation of the course of the 10y
al Georgian towards Gen. Tillson. If he is
guilty of the charges with which the Georgian
teens, the proof should be brought before the
Head of the Bureau. So long as the proof is
wanting, his character should not be assaulted
through the columns Of journal addressed to
the very people whose confidence he ought
especially to enjoy. If anything could excuse
the language used by Gen, Tillson, it would be
the ungenerous treatment which he has receiv-
ed from the Loyal Georgian. A personal con-
troversy of this nature ought never to have
arisen, and should now cease. e