The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-22
From the Atlanta Cons tuition, 2oth.l

From the Atlanta Cons tuition. 20th.l
The announcement OF General Gordon,
resignation Of the United States senator
sbip-which the Constitution makes public
for the first time this morning-will fill The
people OF Georgia with astonishmeDt anC
lconcern-astonishme that any man viii
voluntarily retire from such fattering
career, and concern over the fact that The
State will lose an official whose service ha:
added lusire 10 the Commonwealth.
In the history OF this country no man ba;
taken a step that furnishes a parallel tc
what General Gordon does to-day. Gene
raj Toombs, when he was pressed to accept
a seat in the Senate, was told that there
were few men in the country who could
aspire to such an illustrious Office. "Yes,'
replied the kingly old man, 4" but there
are fewer men who are big enough TO de.
cline it," There have been but two sen.
ators in a century who have retired from
the Senate to private life by resignation.
There is not one who ever resigned TN.
der circumstances that approach those sur
rounding the present case. With five
years Of bis present term yet to run-hav-
Ing been elected unanimously for the second
term-with an unbrOken party at his back
|
the South beyond cOmpare-a valued and
respected leader in the Senate, beloved and
admired by his colleagues-certain OF pro-
motion even beyond the high Office he now
holds-General Gordon, amid the regrets of
the country, resigns before he has reached
middle age " hat most men would toll and
strive through whole lifetime to attain.
| 1t is equally unusual that a man can re-
tire from years Of public service with so
bright a record and so stainless an escutch-
con. A leader i'm the Senate during the
most turbulent period OF our politics ac-
| tive in debate and Committee-roou durir 9
the period OF national debauchment and
jobbery-his courage has never faltered, his
sagacity has never erred, and his purity and
| integrity have never been doubted. He
leaves the Senate followed by the love Of bis
colleagues and sustained by record that
| in patriotism and ability is second TO that OF
no ma1. He comes back home TO the hearts
Of his people, first in their confidence
and affection. They have tried bim in war
and In peace; he has defended their liber-
ties on the battlefield and in the forum,
and he lays of toga that is as stainless as
the sword he surrendered at AppomattoX.
He has made himself illustrious and beloved
before most men have begun the earnest
work Of life, and relres to his home craving
the peace and Joy Of the beartbstone, but
not unmindful of the people to whom be
| has given The best years OF his life. When
| ever he may choose 10 lead them again tc
the field or IN political struggle. his people
| I'm solid masses will follow him as they have
always done.
Especial to the Baltimore Americsn.]
| WASHINGTON, May 20.-In an interview
with the writer this evening General Cor
don said "When first came to the Sen
ate | enjoyed an income which, though
moderate, enabled me 10 accept the position
without serious detriment TO my private in
teress. During the past three or four years
however, my property in Georgia has, by
reason of neglect, become gradually less anC
less productive, until now i have barely
any other income than the $4,000 year sal
ary as senator. have a large family, and
This sum is not sufficient 10 meet house
hold expenses. l have also three Smal
children who remain to be educated. The
step have taken, therefore, was unaFoiua
| Bile.
81 could not, in justice to my fami y, me-
plect nv private interests any longer. have
served my State i'm one capacity or another
for nearly twenty years, and ! felt that
could now properly ask for a leave OF alb
sence to look after my personal concerns
| will say, IN this connection, that hayt
been offered several remunerative position:
In the line OF my profession; among others
that Of legal adviser to the Louisville and
Nashville railroad and the several 0ranche:
embraced in that combination. | have q:
vet reached no determination touching these
propositions. but will decide in few days
GORDON AND HIS SUCCESSOR.
(From the Baltimore SUM-
General Gordon's career has been a re-
markabe one in many respects. lie Is only
Iforty.eigbt years old, yet has been in active
ardent, service for twenty years. He en-
tered the Confederate army in April, 1861
as captain OF infantry, being then lawyer
and a planter He was snccessiyely major
lieutenant-colonel, colonel, brigadier, and
major-general, and at the time OF
General Lees surrender commanded one
wing OF the Army OF Northern Virginia
He was conspicuous for dash and gallantry
on the field, and was wounded eight time:
i'm battle. He was elected Governor ol
Georgia in 1868, but was not per
mitted to qualify, the military authorl
ties deciding in favor OF Rufus b. Bul
lock. General Gordon was first elected to
the Senate in January, 1878, and took his
seat March OF that year. Governor Col
Quit has appointed Ex-Governor Joseph r.
Brown to succeed General Gordon. Mr.
Brown is an able man, though he has never
before appeared in the national councils
Mr.. Brown was born in Pickens county,
Ala, in 1921, but his family removed to
Georgia during his youth, and be has a.
ways been identified with the latter State
He was for several years leading member
OF the Georgia House OF Delegates. was
elected Governor Of the State in 1857, and
was reelected four times, serving until
1865. He was thus the Executive during
the late civil war, and Whilst at tnt
outset exhibiting energy In supplying
men aud means TO prosecute tht
war. was later pronounced oppo'
nent of the Confederate Government In us
methods OF conducting the war. BY variou,
antaponistic measures he somewhat en-
broiIed the State with the Confederacy, anc
finally. at the close OF the war. Mr. Brown
took prominent part in support OF The re-
construction measures OF Congress. Undel
the new State Constitution be became, IL
| 1853. Chief Justice OF the Supreme Cour
OF the State, and supported General Graz
| for President In that year. In 1872 he sup
norted Mr.. Greeley, and has since that, 1t
claimed. co6perated with the Democrats
In 1871 MIR. Brown resigned his iudgeshil
and assumed the presidency of the western
aud Atlantic Railroad Company, which po
sition be still holds.