Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-02-23
A GEORGIA SENATOR.


Mack writes to the Cincinnati Eaqui-
Ter::
The work of reconstruction still pro-
crosses, with its stink of infamy and its
rotten shine of loyalty; and one after
another the Southern States are emptying
their carpet-baggers and scrubs into the
halls of Congress. Now comes Georgia
with Senator-elect in the person of Mr..
Foster Blodgett-the leader of the Re
publican party of the State. Do you
know Blodgett's record2 l do; for l
learned it few years ago in the city Of
Augusta, where he lives. AT the out
break of the war he was the meanest
and most malignant Rebel in the
Stale. When Alexander ii. Stephens was
speaking in language which in the light of
subsequent events reads like the inspira-
ton of prophecy against secessiOn-dis-
avowing its causes and fOretelling its con-
sequences-this man Blodgett was organ
ling a Vigilance Committee in Augusta
to hang every man who lifted bis voice in
favor Of the Union. Stephens, who lives
near Augusta, was one of his threatened
victims, and Blodgett did his best to in
cite mob violence against that great and
good man. He remained at his home dur
ing the entire war, prosecuting Union
men, but too great coward TO expose him
Self to the hazards of the battlefield.
When peace came he rushed TO Washing
ton, pledged himself to the support of
JOhnson's administration, and was app
pointed postmaster of Augusta. He
took tie iron-clad oath without any reserv-
Acknowledgment he was indicted by
the Grand Jury for perjury-indicted by
men why knew his record, and many of
WHOM had been the victims of his villainy
in the days of secession. | have lost sight
of the matter since, and do not know
whether or not he was ever tried for his
crime. But now he looms up rs the
loyalist par erceIIenoe of Georgia, and
the people are called upon to shout and
clap their hands at the return of an
''erTing sister State" under a policy which
puts premium on villainy and eEalts
treachery into virtue by the election of
a fellow like Blodgett. | can't see it in
that light. l would rather rejoice over
the dismemberment of the Union with
thiTty-seven petty republics ruled and con
trolled by men of honor and integrity,
than over the consolidation of thirty seven
States with one republic ruled by scoun-
drels.
But the Radical answer TO all such ar
ticles as this is ready made-'DemOCratiC
hate of men who repent of their partici
patton in the rebellion" Not at all. If
the cowardly crimes cf Blodgett are 70 be
forgiven by the Republican party, why
not the brave crimes of others2 Ny OBJ
lection is tothe policy which allows such
man as BIodgetttO rise to power on the pol
itical ruin of the men who were associated
with him in the work of secession. Why
make ''traitorn of To0mbs and a
''patriot" of Blodgett2 The question
answers itself and shows the Shiny filth of
Congressional reconstruction all the way
through, from its first act, TO its last,
Mr.. TOombs could be 'patriot," too, if
he were not q gentleman. Doubtless
he, too, could be taken to the
bosom of the loyal party if he
would but denounce his comrades in Sc
ccssion, applaud their disfranchisement,
and help to trample them with the heel of
military tyranny. And thus the work of
Congressional reconstruction goes on
filing the highest posts of trust and
honor in America with the vilest wTetches
on the face of the earth-and succeeding
such men as Toombs and Stephens in the
halls of Congress with the BlOdgetts and
Blackguards of the Southern States. Pro-
coed, gentlemen, and all ye conscientious
debt payers walk up to the captains
y,frf Of Ia N 1,TU Tho ,f
the ''war for the Union" are but three
thousand millions; the assets are Blodgett,
Revels and negro suffrage.
Avery writes to the Cincinnati Com
nlercidI:
Foster BlOdgett is native Of Georgia.
Before the war he was Wing, but early
in the struggle he espoused the cause of
the South, and aided the young men of
Augusta, by influence at least, in going
into the fight for the South. A few days
ago l saw copy of an Augusta paper
published in 1861, in which is a glowing
account of the manner in which the young
men of the period were enlisted in the
army, and among other details was de-
scription of numberless flags, and speech
from Foster Biodgett, encouraging all
able bodied men to go into the war
against the Yankees.
1t seems that he did not hold these
opinions long, however, for not long after
that we hear of his being a Union man,
and such he has remained since.
At an early age Mr.. Blodgett was elect
ed Mayor of Augusta. For number of
years he was Judge of Ordinary for
Richmond county. In 1860, he was
delegate from Augusta to the Wing Con
vention that nominated Bell and Everett.
Just after the close of the war he be-
came a Republican, and it is said, that he
presided over the first meeting of that
party ever held in Georgia. Since the
organization of the party he has been
Chairman Of the State Central Committee,
and was = member of the Constitutional |
Convention that framed the present Con |
stitutioD. Last year he was appointed |
Treasurer Of the Stale Road, in January |
Of this year was made Superintendent, |
which position he now holds
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