Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-05-01
Affairs in GcOrgia.
DECORATION DAY AT TEE sOUTH-UNIoN OF HAND
AND HEARTS-THE LATE REPUBLICAN CONv EN-
TON OF GEORGIA

DECORATION DAY AT THE SOCTH-UNION OF HANDS
AND HEARTs-THE LATE REPUBLICAN CoNvEN-
TIoN OF GEORGIA.
Correspondence Of the Sdr.l
ATLANTA, GA, April %, 1880.
Southland IS now a paradise OF poetry and
song. The forests are out In their full spring
dress and birds of brilliant plumage and melo-
dlous voices are holding their high concerts in
the branches of the trees The orchards are
robed In a mixture of purple and white and the
gardens are green with every variety of vegeta-
ton. The air is filled with fragrant OdorS and
the soft sunshine causes the hills and valleys to
rejoice on every side. This wondrous scene of
beauty and enchantment Is a faint picture OF
that celestial land where everlasting spring
abides and never whitening flowers
The agricultural prospects of the south so far
are very f1attering. Large crops are being
planted and golden harveSts anticipated. The
wealth OF this section is not now equal to that
II the north and west, but there need never be
scarcity of the neceSSarieS and comforts of
life in this rich agricultural region. The soil
here produces almost spontaneously.
Yesterday was decoration day In the south,
and rich floral offerings were laid on the graves
OF the confederate dead. There was not much
public display In Atlanta. The military COM
panies marched to the cemetery in the after
noon, led by 1.-THE L. S. band from Mcpherson
Barracks, short prayer was offered and an in
terestiDg poem read, but there were no iuflam-
mallory haraDgueS to arouse sectional resent
mentS General Hunt and other officers of the
army were present on the occasion. and the flag
at the garrison at half mast In respect to
the day. There Is perfect harmony here be-
tween the citizens and soldiers, and not the
slightest disposition TO interfere with each
others rights and privileges Indeed, the trouble
Is they love each other too much, and as a con-
sequence, courtShip and marriage are more
popular than paradeS and inspections. Captain
Williams, our young quartermaSter, led the
way by wedding the accomplished niece of Sena-
tor Gordon. and others OF the "boys in blue
are inclined to do likewise. So that the north
and the south are determined to unite on this
new basis.
The late republican convention of this state
numbered about 300 delegates, large majority
everything. They proclaimed their purpose to
control on the plea that the white men of their
party refused them rightful share of the
honerS and emOlumentS of Office. Republican
Ism In the south Will hereafter rest mainly On
EBONY and not On ivory pillars. A Blaine man
Major Smythe, was elected to preside, but the
delegates 60 uninStructed to the Chicago con-
vent1on. The southern negroes are naturally
for Grant but powerful influences are at work
Ia behalf Of other candidates. and may succeed
They publicly declare their determination I'm
the future to support independent candidates
In those counties where they are In a hopeless
minority. This Is bright augury for FELTON,
and Speer. All the cOlored voters support Mr.
stephens, because they regard him. and justly
so, as an honest man, pure patriot, wise
statesman, and true friend Of every rank and
race.
President Hayes Is the most popular republi-
can In the United States with the white people
OF the south, and they would support him above
any other man In his party for second
term. w.