The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-19
fAtlsuta Ccns,ltut,op.l


fAtlsnta Constitutional sft
ATLANTA. Ga, August 49, Governor A..
~. 1sotouiff, 1Atlgnfo, 6q.: Dear ssr, In
pelled by an earnest desire to see the DEM
ocratjc party 10 Georgia again united In
feeling and action, |, the candidate for Gov.
eruor ut the request OF tue minority OF the
late Convention and OF numerous other
citizens OF the State, approach you. the can
didate on the recommendation OF the ma
iority OF the Convention, to see II we can
NOT. by our Joint act, effec, that result.
I propose that you and l unite In a re-
quest 10 the State Democratic Executive
Committee to issue call to the Democrats
TO meet again In convention TO nominate a
candidate for Governor. Should you unite
with me in this last effort to preserve the
party, and to prevent much acrimoDy and
iIpcbristian feeling which will no doubt
grow out OF this contest, will promise,
without asking that or any other condition
OF you, that my name shall not go before the
Convention.
beg to assure you, In conclusion, that ]
acted IN the Convention, and am acting
now. without any unkind feeling 10 you
personally. My opposition was and is based
on your administration. My candidacy IA
not OF my seeking, but with my views IL
will be my unpleasant duty TO make the
race. unless you will unite with me 10 do
something to avert the evils to our State and
party which such a division in our ranks
will inevitably produce.
hope you will give me a reply by |
O'Clock +. NJ to-day, for should your an
swer be responsive 10 my desire expressed
above [ can leave for home at 2 O'Clock Z.
NJ, and no preparations need then be made
at Representatlye Hall for the meeting to-
night. remain, very truly yours.
II. NJ. NORWOOD.
GOVERNOR coLoUITT's RESPONSE.
ATLANTA. GA, August l6, 1880. Hon.
Thomas ". Nor,cood, atlanta, ia. Dear
Sir.-Your letter OF this date Is before me,
and | hasten to reply, IN accordance with
The request contained herein. Uniting
with YOU in deploring the existing state OF
affairs, and reciprOcating the kind personal
sentiments you are pleased TO express, |
must beg your attention TO a somewhat de-
tailed reply 10 the suggestions your letter
contains.
In The first place, | remark that | cannot
view the matter before us from the stand
point assumed by you. You allude to II as
II il were purely personal issue. that could
yate gentlemen. Admitting your right to
consider yourself q candidate, representing
no party or principle, and acting purely on
your own motion. [ cannot forget that |
represent the will Of the majority OF the
Democratic party OF Georgia, expressed
deliberately through the primaries, and
that in my candidacy is involved the sacred
principle that, in all representative govern
ments, the will Of the majority must be re-
spected. 1t would be clearly out OF my
power. therefore, TO regard the issue before
us as il it were mainly matter between
two private citizens and involves nothing
more nor less than their personal convent
ence or inclination.
Were this different, howeyer,-if | felt
there was no general principle inyolved,-I
fail to see the propriety or the justice OF
your suggestion. The canvass has already
been made before the people, and the people
have spoken. As the canvass was unprece-
dented in its bitterness and thoroughuesS,
so was the verdict unprecedented in en-
phasS and distinclness. No objection has
ever been made t. the fairness OF this YER
dict, and no arrangement can affect Its
postIveneSs. IL Is impossible TO hope that
any subsequent verdict could be expressed
more clearly or made more overwhelming.
IL were 10 receive the unanimous vote the
verdict would not he stronger, and cannot
see how the gentlemen you represent could
harmonize them, as they say in the pub
lshed address. ave accepted the defiant
declaration, and infleXibly resolved, to a
man, that we would never submit 10 bis
(my) nomination." / see nothing left but
for the people to confirm or disapproye
their opinion already expressed at the bal
tot. box in October.
I cannot but regret that you did not seek
earlier the harmony you invoke now. win
your formal indictment OF myself and my
administration already in print, should be
wanting in self.respect il plead guilty TO
that Indictment by acquiescing in your sug-
gestion. What does That indictment affirm
To be special, | quote one sentence from
the address which YOU. presumably, en-
d0rseT The sentence reads: "The incOm-
potency OF the Administration does not adj
nit Of doubt. The division OF opinion
is not on the incompetency OF the present
Administration, bur relates TO still grayer
matters, and when criticism on the Admin
istraton made by large portion Of the
Democratic party is as severe as was made
on Bullock's administration, it is time for
the Democracy TO move for reform and pu-
riiicatiOn."
No, sir; you have made the indictment
and affirm the ruth of its Charge. | deny
that they are true. This, it strikes me, is
not the stage OF the proceedings for you TO
invoke harmony by withdrawal from the
canvass. Rather so, let us both go before
the people OF Georgia and appeal TO them,
you presenting your claims 10 their sup
port and preference, for a confirmation
OF the VIII Of the people already expressed.
You will pardon me for the suggestion.
You allude in your letter to meeting to be
held in the Representative Hall tonight.
which | understand is TO be the formal
opening Of the campaign. | respectfully
ask you TO allow me division OF time at
said meeting, and to Join me in discussion
of the issues involved. Ii this be accept
able. please notify me by O'Clock this az
ternoOn. II it Is not convenient for you 10
accord the division suggested tonight, this
invitation is open for our consideration as
TO future meetings. | take pleasure in AS
suiing you that | shall always be glad to
divide time with you at any meetings ap-
pointed by my friends. am sure that such
a discussion Is 1 propose will be iair and
courteous, and must result in tue enlighten-
meut OF the people as to the real issues In
volyed in this campaign.
| am, with great respect, your oDedient
servant. ALFRED II. C0LQUlrr.
Mr.. Norwood replied 10 Governor Col
quit that the meeting mentioned was rati-
6cttion meeting; that speakers bad been
4 q. .,nkl 10 1aA