Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-10-02
Georgia Itadicalisn.

Georgia Radicalism.
There has been much written and said tC
prove that the expulsion of the negroes
from the Georgia Legislature was the sole
act of the Democrats of that body. We
have shown most conclusively that the fault,
If fault there be, was with the so-called
Constitutional Convention of the State,
composed exclusively, or almost exclusively,
of Radicals, which did not make them eli
gible. The colored members of the Legis-
lature, who were expelled, published a
manifesto which, among others things,
contained the following striking facts. They
say
| In several counties not q aC7tUe Republican
could be found, any 1Chte 1aen 1OftO ecouLd &C.
cept Tie cOlOfiei nomination yet we are now CEN
sured and expelled for doing the best we could,
and what is more astonishing, a number OF white
representatives who were prOfessed Republicans
at home, since their arrival here, have become de-
cided Democrats.
Here is not only a candid admission that
men elected as Radicals and were and are
orthodox Radicals, voted to expel them
from office, and also that in several coun-
ties not white Radical could be found, or
at least one who was willing to accept the
Radical nomination. This substantiates q
condition of things which has often been
charged by Democrats, but not until now,
with a solitary exception, admitted by
Radicals. Here is confession that in sew
eral of the counties of Georgia the Radi-
cal party is exclusively composed of blacks,
or if there be whites they were unwilling
to confess it to the extent to become can
didates of the negroes. What a common
tary upon reconstruction ! What a
lesson this is to the white mon of the
North.
The solitary exception to this confes-
sion, so far as we know, was the repeated
admissions of Mr.. Wynne, the Senator
from franklin in the present Legislature
of this State, that not five decent white
men of his county were Radicals or would
recognize him upon his return home.
Even this well-known fact, and one not
confined to Franklin alone, would hardly
have been admitted, but this man. like his
fellows, had sold himself for price, and
he was then pleading for its payment. AS
a reason why he should be allowed large
per diem, the great sacrifice he had made
of his social position and of his self-re-
spect for the sake of his-pocket, was
a necessary part of the contract, and was
J readily admitted as sufficient voucher for
the money received.
These dusky Georgia legislators, in the
admission which we have quoted, have
} illustrated one Of the evils of reconstruc-
ton. In their own defence they have
struck severe blow at their party. They
have placed upon the records of the State,
for the benefit of future historians, one OF
the most palpable and convincing proofs
of the failure of the legislation of Congress
to reconstruct the Southern States. What
defence can be put up for party, in this
lage and country, which has forced upon
la people a condition of things which rem.
ders it impossible for the election of g
white man to represent the people and
property of acounty, in asovereign State, in
the legislative department of the Govern
ment What could justify or excuse such 6
state of facts Can people, who refuse the
handful of intelligent and industrious ne
Igroes in their midst the right to vote,
wilfully and maliciously place the lives and
property of others under the entire and
absolute control of this same race just
freed from a lifelong slavery, and theil
minds and hearts poisoned by the insidi
GUS appeals of debased and treacherous
white men Surely, if these facts could be
presented in their true light, the people
of the North would rally to the aid of thei,
brothers OF the South and rescue them
from the danger and humiliation which is
threatened. Let it be the object of ou1
, speakers and writer's to present these things
in their real light and good will, and must
result.