Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-23
Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM GEORGIA. ".''.
ATLANTA, January II, !

ATLANTA, January II, 1873.
The surface Of Georgia politics is very
much disturbed over the senatorial contro.
versy. The election occurs next Tuesday,
provided all parties keep duly sober and the
political pot is boiling about the capitol in
manner suggestive of coal oil and turpentine,
if not keg of powder
The excitement is unusual, on account Of
the appearance in the arena Of Alexander d.
Stephens. This old man has taken on new
life, and is getting to be as spry as cricket.
He has established his headquarters at the
Kimball House, and his friends are moving
the earth and skies to procure his election to
the Senate. From indications at this writing
they will succeed, and the Washington fog
bank of delegated stupidity will prick up their
ears at the presence among them Of this fear
less ard incorruptible old-time southerner.
But the race is not to Alex. without effort.
He has two competitors who get up early in
the morning, and do not 60 to bed until tole-
rably late at night. They are comparatively
young, and are strong and active. Either
one could take the Hon. Alex. by the heels
and stuff him in an overcoat pocket. These
gentlemen are not unknown to fame. refer
to Hon. Ben. H. Hill and Gen. John B. Cor
don. This gives us three candidates and
makes beautiful triangular fight
Mr.. Stephens is supported by all those who
did not go with the Greeley movement, and
by good many who did. He seems to draw
his strength from the ranks of all who are
opposed, either mildly or severely, to the
Grant administration. The only objection
to him, urged with any degree of earnestness,
is his physical debility. He is in better
health than he has been in years; but is still
a good distance short of the average standard
of health. If it was not for this he would be
elected by two-thirds vote, no matter how
strong a combination might be arrayed
against him.
Mr.. Stephens has never been much less
than an invalid. In conversation with him
the other day, he told me that the most he
ever weighed in his life, was one hundred and
two pounds, and that was the year after leav-
ing college. His usual weight was from
eighty.6ve to ninety-6ve. Now he weighs
eighty, having gained on his weight Of three
years ago, which was but seventy-four.
He keeps his room pretty close at the hotel,
merely hobbling about some with his crutches.
He can, however, in pleasant weather, get
over halfa mile of ground without serious
fatigue. He is sixty-two years Of age.
Gen. Gordon's strength is on account of his
military services. He was brave and dash.
ing Confederate officer, and on this account
will receive almost the entire soldier vote of
both Houses He is also the young mans
candidate, being not much if any over forty
years of age. He is a brilliant orator, but
not deep man. In the Senate, where orato'
~ is at a discount, he would be of little force
or influence. Give him time to prepare and
he can make beautiful speech, but he is no
debater.
Ben. Hill is one of the first intellects of
Georgia. He is natural orator and ready
debater. He would, perhaps, command more
attention in the Senate than either Stephens
or Gordon, and seems to be the proper man
to send there at this juncture. But because
he is the proper man is no sign the Legisla-
ture will send him, for it is not on record that
the Georgia Legislature are in the habit of
doing the proper thing. They oftener miss
the mark than hit it.
All three of the candidates are to deliver
speeches at the capitol, defining their several
positions. Hill spoke last night, Gordon
speaks tonight and Stephens tomorrow night
Mr.. Hills speech was a mastery piece Of
logic and eloquence. have seldom listened
to anything better. The Georgians claim
that he is their foremost natural orator, and
think they are quite correct. He is certainly
superior as speaker, to any man on the floor
Of Congress from the South, and the State
would reflect credit on herself by sending
him.
But the chances are that Mr.. Stephens will
be elected, and, while we all acknowledge his
honesty and ability, the impression forces it.
self upon us that better selection could be
made. MEMO.