The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1871-06-16

THE above demands notice. We We're sur
prised to see Mr.. Mansfield take the position he
did at the last Railroad meeting, at Nichols
Hall, last week, considering his past record
a record that we did not call into question on
comment upon, but simply upon the speech
made on that occasion, recognized journalistic
privilege. When a gentleman places himself
before a public assembly, to discuss public
matters public criticism is natural conse-
| quence, and yet we regret that Mr.. Mansfield
thinks that we did him an injustice or dealt with
| him Inkindy From his communication, he
seems to be aggrieved, and says we "did not in
the least convey his sentiment or the spirit Of
his snaech" How we did SO is a mystery to
us not vet OWNED. We only commented upon
one sentiment uttered by him, and that was
He was unwilling to have his property voted
away to any enterprise by irresponsible parties
who own no property"
There are gentlemen that will bear us wit
ness thai this is substantially what Mr. Mans
field said without peryersion or alteration
And to leave his position mmystified, when
M Brumby offered an amendment to Dr. Gle
lond,s p. solution, to the effect, that the voting
nod .-'rictly to those who own property
only if met Mr. Mansfield's sanction, as well
as nrevious advocacy in speech, and if we mis-
take not he voted for its adoption Notwlth-
standing this record of facts, - " NlaSlle''l 'lleS
10 impute to us an ungenerous atte Hp' ~ iiiiS
represent" and "create false impression aooh'
him." and clothe him with a character ne
does not possess.
We certainly would not nor did moi try to do
him injustice, or knowingly array him in false
colors. 1t is true our comments were not his
language, yet they We're faithful to letter, as
to what his remarks implied, when removed Of
their disguise and their true meaning elucida-
ted, for our comments were restricted SIMPLY TO
the impressions made and the position assumed
by him. Mr.. Mansfield only wanted to exclude
irresponsible parties who own no property, is
the way we reported him. And we would Ike
70 know if you eonfne it exclusively to vote
IF ,~operty holders" fit does not virtually dis
f,ancb, sc and deprive the mechanic, the labor
er. the poor man, the men who own no property,
of their high prerogative of citizenship IN hav-
;no - voice in al that affects the general veal
and interest of the city? When it is proposed
70 denrive \ man of his vote because his only
crime is that of being poor, because he owns no
property, then it is an infringement upon, ana
usurpation Of one of his Inherited, legitimate
and constitutional rights Our idea OF fair
play and justice, free speech and untramelled
citizenship, is Just opposite from believing that
wealth is an essential requisite TO enutle or
qualify man to exercise the elective franchise
We don't think we miscontrued the spirit OF
the sentence quoted. Our inference was the on
" legitimate deduction intellgently authorized
by his remarks, not being ambiguous in their
definition. and when Mr.. Mansfield said he hop
ed CHS remarks would be nip in the bud OF
this movement, we took it for granted, as one
ofthe friends of the enterprise, that we had as
-uuch right to nip" his remarks I'm the bud
did this enterprise; we delegated to our
saIr tbe same power to kill off the influence OF
- ,ar,.. as he used to kill off the success OF
~ pa;l.oad ,ud we acted accordingly.
" W. raoaot Mr. Mansfield opposes this move
mont we esteem and aspect him highly and
would he clad to have so able an advocate for
on, Railroads. but as he dent with rs agree,
we trust we can kindly agree 10 disagree a" i,"-
out having our motives irapngned We are i'f
Marietta and her Railroads; we wan 'pein
built; we believe it is to the interest OF every
citizen and every branch of busin sss, III Mafle''
ia that they should be built We advocate III
ternal Improvements, the granting of state or
City aid to Railroads, believing the stock IAN
en- this way. will pay commensurate aud re-
munerative dividend, develop the country to It's
highest state of prosperity and excellence.