, 1879-09-20
Letter from Gov. CoIquitt.

Letter from Gov Colquitt to Gov. Garce-
Ion Gov Garceion has made public the fol-
lowing letter from the governor Of Georgia :
l regard II as signal OF kindness to the
people of Georgia, as well as to my admins
tratlon as governor of the state, that YOU
call my attention as you have in your letter
Of recent date 10 certain most extraorii-
nary and startling charges brought against
us IN an article IN the Lewiston ,,ournd!
which has recently appeared. The burden
OF the accusation is about this that In the
last two years a large number of men have
been lynched IN Georgia because they be-
longed to the Methodist church, voted the
republican ticket, and interested themselves
IN the education Of our colOred people The
allegation is further made that there is no
punishment for these outrages, and that our
state is tending TO only strife and blOodshei
The remedy proposed is to send from abroad
! teachers and preachers who while here can
invoke the aid of foreign flag and claim its
protection.
My dear governor, in view OF the state of
feeling which such charges rs these are likely
to arouse, If true, IN the breasts oi honorable
and upright and humane mon everywhere, !
am justified in the use of strong terms IN
expressing my thanks to You for the friendly
interest which you have taken In the cause
of truth and fra.ernal feeling, by calling my
attention To this tissue Of unfoGnded and as
tonishing misrepresentation.
| might make summary work in dispos-
ing of this pcrtentous array Of charges SO
grave, by giving You my word, whether
spoken rs a plain citizen OF Georgia or as an
officer representing the whole state. that a
more unjust and meXcuSable Justification OF
the condition of things existing here could
not have been framed IN words. But to
make any attestatiOn the more foroibls to
those not well acquainted with onr true
status, let me add that the Methodist church.
50 far as members and social position 20, can
/ hardly be said to be second TO any other de-
nomination in the state, that $4,000 colored
children are now en- our school rolls, and the
expense of their education is in very large
measure borne by the white taxpayers of
the state, and that we have in successful
operation 4 college In this city, called the
Atlanta University, whose chairs give exclu-
| sive attention to the education Of colored
youths. | myself very recently appointed
| the board OF examination 10 visit this iustI-
/ tuition at it's last commencement and am
| eratited to be able to tell you that this board
| composed Of names Of the highest respecta-
bi.ity have mrde 4 most encouraging report.
| As to intimidation and violence incurred
by reason of voting the republican ticket,
! let me assure you this is news to rs. We
have two colored members in the present
| legislature and one of these holds seat
which was contested by white man and
awarded by committee on elections every
member Of which | believe IS white man
and democrat.
| 1t would aid the cause OF truth, OF law
and Justice If our accusers would let 1T be
known when and where these elections oe-
CURED III which the suffrage was denied on
account Of political prejudice. L need not
| trouble yon to hear al argument or state
ment why these alleged outragcs have not
| been punished, when no sane or credible
witness can be produced proving that they
| have been committed. Crime and offences
! against law we have, alas too many O! them,
/ and when shall We see the day when they
! will cease III Georgia and in Maine rs well
| But that these crimes and offences arise from
race or political causes. Is not true. 1 give
yau the most solemn assurance and say to
| all who can believe me, that not one single
instance of this violence has come TO my
knowledge
We are moving on in peace and the whites
| and hlacks in Georgia are working together
| harm 3niously to etfaee the scars which strife
has lett. Can We not be left alone in this
good work, We beg to be left alone, II
others cannot find it in their hearts to en-
courage us and bid rs God speed. While |
have the honor To ill the chair of chief mag
istrate, there will never be cause in Georgia
for the weakest to appeal to a foreign flag
for the privilege of enjoying any right which
belongs to the citizen under the law" Their
rights all shall have without scar or molesta-
ton. l make the promise and give guar-
antee with the entire strength OF the public
opinion of Georgia to back me.
With kindest regard | am yonr obedlent
servant ALFRED COLoUITT.