The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1869-03-26

synopsis of an Argument OF a Member of
the Georsia \ cgislature.


the Georsia Legislature.
ATLANTA, March 25.-The following ia a synop-
sis of an able argument by one of the ablest
jursts of the South, whose character and sincerity
are without reproach, member OF the Georgia
Legislature, q Republican and determined sup
porter Of Grants administration. 1t will appear
In to. morrow's New Era. He says: 81 consider
the fifteenth an endment Republican measure.
II was proposed by Republican Congress,
warmly urged by President Grant. Republican
presdent in his Inaugural address as the best So
luton Of remaining questions growing out Of the
reconstruction policy of Congress, and is right in
itself. Ii settles the suffrage question
upon en- equal and just basis, and
Entertaining these views. considered it the duty
OF every true Republican to support 1t. IL was
the duty OF the Republican members OF the Legis-
lature to take hold of it with energy az Re-
publican measure and invite the Democrats to
come upon 1t as an administration measure, Many
of them were ready in honest good faith to have
done so, ard this would have been the first step
TO harmony and good understanding between Re-
publicans and that wing Of the Democracy which
Is willing TO give Gen. Grant fair trial and sup
port his administration, il wise and liberal, as all
are now satisfied il will be.
But to my astonishment and regret soon found
that this was not the line of the State administra-
ton. Gov. Bullock withheld the amendmentfrom
the Legislature as long as he could do 30 without
creating too much sensation, and finally, when he
could not bold it longer without an untruthfal
reply to the inquiries of both houses he sent IL In,
accompanied by q message recommending its
adoption.
The message was a characteristic document on
the line Of this one idea. and was clothed with
such language and filed with such expressions as
might reasonably be expected TO drive the Demo
Gratis from its support, as they had expelled the
negroes from seats. He tainted them with his
construction of the amendment, which he said
would If adopted, give the negroes the right to
hold Office, and resest them.
He knew this was the sur t.way TO frighten them
from sur port Of the amendment. Bullock intend
ed TO drive the Democrats from its support. He
was utterly opposed, privately, to its adoption,
whilst recommending it publicly 70 satisfy the
authorities at Washington. and did everything
possible by himself and ofhciais 70 deieatt.
The fifteenth amendment In the House was dis
posed of By plain and simple resolution OF adop-
lion, adopted by 40 Democrats for, to AZ against,
few Republicans voting for aud against, the bal.
snce of the Republicans lodging or refusing to
vote.
In the Senate, Conley, bosom friend of Bull
locks and warm supporter OF his policy, voted.to
indefinitely postpone and when broughtup the next
morning. ruled II out Of order president OF the
Senate but on an appeal from the decision OF the
chair, and final vote being taken. twothirds OF
the Republicans voted against its adoption, or alb
scented themselves during the discussion. Men
holding the highest appointments in Bnllock's
Gift, and known TO be on his line Of policy. were
active in the Hobbies and on the floor, election
eering against II.
The reasons given for this were that II would
defeat Bullock's policy at Washington, and that
as Congress had not acted in good faith and car.
ried out the fourteenth amendment they would
not trust Congress further.
Bullock played double game recommending
adoption, and privately opposing with all hii
power and patronage, or IL would have beer
adopted by over two thirds OF both branches
The impression Is attempted TO be made on the
president, members Of the cabinet and Congress
that the Democrats had not acted in good faith
but il was their honest view that the North inten
ded to adopt the fifteenth amendment, and THU
was thought to be propitious time to settle thu
whole question.
II was Republican measure, and Republican
have no excuse for voting against It. The whole
question Is that few dissatisfied Radicals wan
things in their own hands. and look with gres
interest to Bulock's trip to Washington, hoping