Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-02-04
Speech of Governor Jenkins.

SpeeCh OF Governor JENKINS,
The following address was delivered on
Thursday night last, by Governor jenkins,
in response to one from the Mayor of Mil
ledgeville. We take it from the Recorder:
thank you Mr.. Mayor, and fellow citizens,
for the kind expression of your opinion, and
shall remember it to the latest day of my life
and look back with pleasure and qualification
upon this, your voluntary testimonial, endorse
ing the line of conduct have thought proper
to pursue under these trying times and Cir
cumstances. AS the Executive of the State,
have cndeavored to the best of my ability to
discharge the duties imposed upon me honest
ly and conscientiously. [ have ever looked
to the interest, welfare, honor and good of the
whole State whatever have done las been
for the sole good of the people who almost
unanimously called me to the position | occu-
pied. If | have erred, and do not claim
exemption on that point, for it is human to
err believe me when l tell you it was of the
head and not of the heart.
Perhaps you will expect on this occasion
that should say something of the immediate
cause of my removal.
was requested kindly and politely request
ed, by General Meade to draw my warrant up
on the Treasury for the sum of $40, 900 to pay
the Convention now in session in Atlanta. 1t
was not the sum of S40,0 that I objected to
but there was a principle involved-a great
principle that should not and would not be
violated by me. The Constitution Of Georgia,
which I swore to support, and the Rcconstruc-
ton acts themselves forbid that | should draw
the warrant upon the Treasurer. I so told
General Meade in my letter to him refusing
and declining.
And here allow me to say word in relation
to General Meade, though it may sound to you
strange coming from me, l look upon the
Commanding General of this District as a
high toned, honorable man, and one who will
do what he thinks to be his duty. Like all
military men bred to arms, he has that idea of
force it is part Of his education, subject to
command, he says to one go, and he goeth, to
another come and he comcth, and to another
do this and he doeth it, not questioning the
right or the authority. As l said, he will do
what he thinks right, but must say that
think he has thought wrong in this instance,
and has misconstrucd the authority under
which he has acted
Fellow. citizens, have but one word of ad-
vice to give you; stand by rinciple-main-
tain Your rights at all hazards. DO not un-
derstand me to advise armed resistance !;
nothing of that Sort it would be worse than
folly. But [ would have you to understand
me to maintain and defend your rights in
civil point of view. Do not lend yourselves
to further the so-called reconstruction acts,
for believe them to be opposed to the genius
and nature of our government; unconstitu>
tional and naked tyranny. have been re-
moved because | would not cooperate in fas-
tening upon the people of Georgia those in
iquitous acts and | shall ever cherish the
charge made upon me by Generals Pope and
Meade that | would not cooperate with them.
I never intend so TO do, and [ never SHALL
Do not be carried away by the shifting winds
of expcdiency, nor sacrifice principle to poll
icy, for by so doing we but bring trouble and
embarrassment upon ourselves, invite further
aggression and after all accomplish no good
ends.
Your Treasurer has nobly done his duty
he deserves your thanks aud esteem, and |
know he will get it, not only from you, but
from every right minded man in the State.
As have been removed, think that Gen.
Meade acted wisely in selecting those he did.
There are around and about headquarters hun
cry Office seekers, who are looking here and
there under the windows, creeping about as it
were to find bone. They have been disap-
pointed, disappointed Georgians, the most of
thcH tney nave lalleu Vi Ine'r marx, uuu
that deservedly. Be not depressed in spirits,
fellow citizens; think there is brig
day for us, and that it is now dawning. In
conclusion, allow me to again thank you for
this testimonial Of your appreciation of my
administration and the line of conduct I have
thought it my duty to pursue.
We have given but a mere outline of the
remarks as near as we can remember them of
one Of Georgia's purest noblest, truest, wisest
and best sons and Governors. Long may he
live to be an honor is his State and country,
to guide, advise and direct as in days past, in
acts political, legislative, judicial and Ex-
ecutive.