New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1870-06-03
SAN BARp,s CHOICE.

johnson in the Presidency, he naturally
desired to fill the important offices IN MS
Gift with men whose genius and abilities
commended them to his attention. In
making selections, however, he was not
ALWAYS so successful as he no doubt de-
sired to be, and he has not unfrequently
been called upon to revise his appoint
ments. Again, it has occurred that some
of those to whom fattering positions were
rendered declined, from motives Of sufti-
Gent weight to accept, preferring to con-
tinue in the fields of usefulness to
which they had been assigned, by COM
mon consent of a constituency more
restricted than that which President
Grant represents. but appreciative OF
talent, and entitled to consideration
Among this class is Hon. Sam Bard, Tor.
merly of Louisiana, but now citizen Of
Georgia. With a proper appreciation OF
his high character and commanding abili-
ties. the President recently solicited his
acceptance of the post of Governor OF the
outlying Territory of Idaho. The question
was thus presented, whether to respond to
the call of his country, as heard in the
voice of its honored Chief Magistrate, or
to continue in the profession which he IS
so we'll qualified for at Atlanta, Georgia.
He wisely chose to remain in the profess
sion which his character and energy so
we'll illustrate. He prefers to remain an
editor rather than be a Governor Of
men, and to sway the power of the
pen over the people of Georgia in
preference to accepting the highest official
position in one of our incipient sovereign
ties. He has formally signided his iLten-
ton to remain with the people of Georgia,
to continue to be their counsellor, teacher
and guide, through the columns OF the to
be widely circulated True Georgian.
Many years ago Sam Bard resided in
this State. He was for some time min
lister of the Gospel, aud acquired great
fame as an exhorter of sinners to fee the
wrath to come. While thus engaged he
attracted the attention of the Democratic
party of that day. With the discrimination
characteristic Of that political organiza-
ton some fifteen or twenty years ago, they
chose Sam Bard as their candidate for
Superintendent of Public Education, and
the people ratified the nomination at the
polls. In thi, responsible position he
served the State for two years, when he
became country editor, and then retired
from public life in this State, and
removed to Georgia. Owing to inter-
ruption of communications during the
war, we are unable to trace his
history during the years between Lin
coins passing through Baltimore in a
Scotch plaid and cloak, and JEFF Davis
capture in female attire, at Irwinsville,
but when the smoke Of war cleared up
little, we beheld our great Louisiana
statesman enthroned On the editorial
tripod of the Atlanta Ne,o Era. He had
found his appropriate place as leading
Georgian, one who was power in the
land, very pillar of State. From this
high and honorable career, President Grant
sought to tempt him by offering
him the sovereign sway over the
Idahoans. But the people of Geor-
gia protested in earnest terms.
They prepared a petition, representing
that they could not spare him. That at
this time Georgia needs the help of every
attached citizen. They add:
For Journalism you have shown peculiar
capacity. Bringing into life, at critical
period in our history, the Atlanta Ne,o Era,
as its late editor you skilfully steered be-
tween those whose Repuhlicanism was never
broad enough to embrace anything beyond
themselves, and that class Of Democrats
who could not imagine such being as an
honest, patriotic Republican. 1t was role
difficult to play, but you acted it well.
That fight is not yet over. You must not
abandon the field. Start forthwith daily
journal in this city, and help to save our no.
BILE State from those who have conspired to
ruin it.
Should you go to Idaho. our best wishes
attend you; but in the enterprise we allude
to, we pledge our friendly assistance. Let
US hear from you.
This appeal, signed by four citizens
"and Others" had the desired effect.
Governor Bard responded, informing the
four citizens of Atlanta that he had re-
signed the high official position to which
he was nominated by the President, and
confirmed by the Senate, and was deter.
mined to establish paper which be will
call the " True Georgian" as the advocate
of the rights and interests of the whole
people of the State. Like most men
about to embark in new enterprise, he
addresses himself to the patriotic, "the
wise and the good of all parties, races and
classes" The few people of Georgia who
are not embraced in this comprehensive
designation are too insignificant to merit
the notice of the editor Of the True
Georgian, and will doubtless be cheerfully
conceded to the rival concern, the False
Georgian, when that paper is established.
1t is not often we hear of man ready to
lay down almost imperial honors for even
the most lucrative business connections.
But Sam Bard evidently holds that it is
greater to be an editor than it is to be q
Governor Of the hardy settlers of West
ern Idaho. And he is right.
We regretted to note Symptoms of envy
cropping out, when he was appointed by
Grant, on the part of those whom he has