The New York herald., 1868-08-24
POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE


Gcorsis-Speeches by Ex-Governor John
ID, SON, Hon. Joshua Hill nnS Joseph e,
'"'e' ATLANTA, August lS, 1858.
For several weeks past the most extensive pre-
parations have been in progress FOR what was an
pounced as "the grand mass meeting OF union re-
bubncans of Georgia. The State Convention was
10 meet for the purpose OF nominating an electoral
ssket and It was intended that this event should be
rArnazed by great political demonstration. Great
preparations were made TO give eclat to the affair
bat the whole undertaking, in point Of numbers al
least, was poor indeed, and this Notwithstanding
che fact that free railroad tickets from all parts o
Che state were as plenty as blackberries for the
transportation Of all who might desire to be presen,
ON the imposing occasion.
At ten O'Clock in the morning the procession com.
menced to move headed by the band from Mo.her-
son barracks, followed by an express wagon In
which were placed thirty.seven little white children
representing the different States, and woman at
tired as the Goddess Of Liberty Then followed the
rank aud file amounting all told to between SIX ana
seven hundred colored men. There were not more
blian three white men in the whole crowd. AS soon
~ this small but highly interesting procession ar
p1ved at the capitol grounds II halted ana oroAe
ranks. BY this time about two thousand nVe nun
dred persons Of various coors and both sexes were
daughters of Africa, dressed gorgeously, were
sguatted close by the platform. They laughed and
chatted with the males in the best of good humor
and made themselves as happy as possible. Taken
altogether the gathering was orderly, good humored
and attentive.
SPEECH OF BX-PRovI5loNAL GOVERNOR JOHNSON.
The meeting being called to order Mr.. James John.
son was announced ss the first speaker. The white
people of the South he said, had been subject to the
utmost expressions for four years; that their prop
erty mad been seized by che rebel government them
eeves conscrpted into The army and they said moth
ing Yet when the federal army came along the first
thing they cried out that The Yankees stole our
horses" tUproarious laughter by the negroes.l
Another cause for complaint was that the slaves had
been emancipated. This was necessary for the sup
preston Of the rebellion He mad been STAKEHOLDER
himself, but he was glad that abolition had tri-
umphed. He alluded to the suffrage question. Con-
tAe south aud she had rejected It. It was therefore
necessary TO take steps to protect the coored man Ia
his rights, and the result was that the Rcconstrnc-
ton laws were passed, which gave them the right to
vote. He warned the negroes that powerful efforts
were being made 10 control their votes. Unless
Grant and Colfax are elected there will be war; Al
ready riots were grow ng larger In number and in
creasing IN magnitude throughout the South. He
desired peace, agd the only hope OF it was in the
very poor speech by ean advising his dusky hear
ers 20 march mp to the polls next November and vote
Tor the colored mans friends-tirant and ColIax.
SPEECH or HON. JOSHUA HILL.
As this gentleman, one OF the Senator'S elect nom
Georgia, came forward he was received with loud
cheers. In direct contradiction OF Mr. Johnson's
remarks Mr. Hill declared that he had mot heard OF
any deeds Of violence in this State. 1t was time
Ndes had said hard things OF each other; the demo-
Gratis had urged social ostracism OF all white men
VINO differed with them, but none OF these things
bad led TO yoeace, and he merely regarded them as
the natural results OF heated political campaign.
Even 0w he was W r0ced 70 perceye at
he ielt assured 1t would continue TO grow
better He did not intend to denounce
democrats, FOR be believed they MS patrotcaly
disposed as We're their opponents. That they would
~ treat the blacks ne had no lGea OF the KIND. 1t
had been said there that q black democrat was an
anomaly. This was mistake for he knew many
negroes who belonged 10 that party. Some OF them
were so from motives of conviction thar they were
acting Tor their best interests; others through graft
tnde for the past and present kndnesses the hands
OF their Old masters. he trusted the blacks would
them listen to the arguments Of both sides,
and they thought the republicans right
hand, the democrats convinced them that theis
rests would be better served by voting with tbem 1t
was their right to vote with them: He did not re-
wished them all TO vote for Grant and Colfax. or
these gentlemen he spoke In the highest terms. He
Declared that he knows general Grant well, and has
been with him frequently. The charge that he de-
signed TO make dictator OF himself In the event OF
Ms being clecped President, was unfounded. OF Mr.
Oolfax he said a few commendatory words; then
turning to the democratic candidates he astonished
every radical present by speaking In the highest terms
and knew him TO be gallant soldier. honest out
spoken and patriotic-a man VINO was deserving OF
ony position TO which he might be called. Mr.. Sey-
mour he knew less Of but he had national reputa-
ton "a a statesman OF rare ability. He, too had
served the nation with distinguished zeal and patriot
tsm. At any other time AMI with any other man
than Grant as his opponent Mr.. Hill thought that
more acceptable President could be obtained than
Mr.. Seymour. lie felt certain that the great demo-
cratic partv would never have nominated man un-
~ 70 till the highest once in the land. lie believed
that both parties earnestly desired the good
oil the country. II had been charged that
She democracy would plunge the country In o
war in the event OF their coming into power He
had no such aJprehelsions. Should the democrats
win they would carry on the government a. quietly
and orderly az would their opponents. lie felt GER
tain there would be no war; for he saw not the
slightest disposition manifested In the south for a
renewal OF hostiliues. Nor could he ascertain where
hostility on the part OF the whites toward the backs
existed ON the whole he thought the prospect
promising. no matter what party succeeded. lie
offered with the democracy ON political questions,
bot that fact wae not sufficient TO warrant his at
lacking their patriotism. lie thought that General
avant would restore peace and prosperity to the
eowntry II elected President, and he hoped ana be-
ncved ne would be. Mr.. Hin closed witt eloquent
sppea TO the negroes to vote for Grang aud Collax
on the Sd OF November next
The white radicals are greatly dissatisfied with the
speech OF Mr.. Hill. 10 entirely too conservative
70 pease them Tbey point 70 the fact thai through
cat his entire remarks he never directly said word
IN favor OF the republican party, while he openly
credited the democrats with patriotism aud other
partisan, that he is disguised with the attempts Of
reckless orators to nname the passions OF he
vcepc.
REMARKS OF TX GOVERNOR BROWN
The appearance OF Mr.. Brown was the signal for
yocaerous applause. tie began by saving that II
9rant and Ooiiax are eieced there IL no chance
Cor VAR would 10 God he coud say a. much In the
Nvent OF the democrats succeeding lie did not saw
mat Mr. seymour and General Bair were bad men
but the democratic PLATFORM the letter OF accent,
ADce from the democratic Candidate for the Presi.
deney aud General Blar's letter prior 10 hs nomina-
taon were OF such character a. to promise nothins
Rut oiVl war IN Tue event oi their being elected. Mr.
9iowh % nen quo,ea nom that part oil the platform
which declares the reconstruction acts of tonyresa
Revolutionary, unconstitutional, NUT aud VOID Irom
Mr.. Seymour's letter endorsing all the resontiona
Rnd from General Balrs letter declaring N to hc
The duty OF democratic President 60 dlsuerse tho
carpetbag state governments and compel the army
10 undo Its illegui work. Continuing the ex iovernor
eald there was no niistaklng the meaning Of these
Mtterances. They were plain, emphatic eutspoken.
General Blair does not propose 10 wait until
Congress snail repeal the reconstruction laws for
NC admits tnat the Senate Will remain In the
hands OF the radicals for several years to