Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-19
Gen. LawtOn and the United States
SenatOrship.


SenatOrship.
Our Atlanta correspondent informed
us in his last letter that among the names
prominently mentioned in connection
with the United States Senatorship from
this State is that of Gen. A. r. Lawton,
of this city. This report is also corrobora-
ted in an interview on the subject which
recently took place at Atlanta with Gen.
Lawton and a reporter of the COnStStu-
ton, and which was reproduced in our
columns yesterday.
This is a matter only for the Legisla-
ture of the State to decide, but we can
not too earnestly recommend to the con-
sideration of that body, and of the people
of Georgia at large, the patriotic utter
ances made by General Lawton in the
interview above mentioned. He stated
that he felt grateful for the interest
shown in promoting him to this highly
honorable position, and that while he
would esteem his choice by the Legisla-
ture an exceedingly high compliment,
he is not willing to announce himself
formally as a candidate, nor to enter into
a personal canvass for the place. Says
ne: ''There are certain offices for which
no man has a right to make a personal
canvass. and that of United States Sena-
tor is eminently one of them. If a citi-
zen is selected to be the standard bearer
of his party-the representative of Ger.
tain political principles and sentiments
it is not only his right, but it may be-
come his imperative duty to make an
active canvass, and to use all honorable
means to secure success; but where all
those upon whom the eye OF the public
rests are in perfect accord with the
same party, State and national, this
high office can only be sought actively
on personal grounds by the several can
didates. The agitation and discussion
in such q canvass must all begin and
end with the special fitness, or the supe
rior qualities and attainments of one
candidate or the other. Without mark
ing out any line of conduct therefore
for others, or attempting in the slightest
way to criticise those who may adopt a
different course, cannot myself enter
into such a contest on such terms.
Hence, l believe this distinguished
honor should be conferred and not
sought, as offices of profit may very
properly be sought. 1t is for others
and not for myself to decide whether
nv name shall be used for the purpose
indicated"
These utterances of General Lawton
have the ring of the true old-time metal.
Time was in this country when honesty,
capacity and integrity were regarded as
the sole qualifications for high and re-
sponsible Office. In those days the office
sought the man, and not the man the
Office, and then it was indeed an honor
to be called upon to fill apublic position.
OF late years, however, all this has
changed. Candidates for even the Presi-
dency of the United States do not hest
tate, in this day and generation,
to take the stump in their own
behalf, and unhesitatingly announce
their claims and pretensions
for what was once the most exalted
Office within the gift of any people.
Ever since Stephen A. DOuglass-for the
first time, we believe, in the history of
the Republic-mounted the hastings to
speak for his own election as President
in 1860, aspirants for that position have
not thought it beneath the dignity of the
office for them to do likewise. Hence,
we have seen Horace Greeley regularly
stumping the United States as Presi.
dental candidate, Grant immodestly
making an exhibition Of himself around
the world for the purpose of securing
a third term, while in every National
Convention aspirants have clacquers and
wire pullers busily at work manipulating
delegates in their special interest, as if il
were only ward primary meeting. Oh
course when the Presidential Office is
thus debased it cannot be expected thai
minor offices will be placed on higher
plane, and so the people have come tC
look upon personal canvasses for nomi-
nations for all positions, from that Of
United States Senator down to the
smallest ward political Office, as legiti-
mate proceedings.
This whole system is a shame and dis
grace to the country, and is one of the
main causes why our politics have be
come so much disgraced of late years
1t is time that stop was put to it, anC
we earnestly commend General Lawton'i
example to the consideration not only Of
the people of Georgia, but of the whole
country. That gentleman possesses IL
an eminent degree qualifications neces.
sary for the United States Senatorship
and should he be selected by the Legis
lature, we believe that it will be wis'
choice, and the State will be ably ant
dignifedly represented in the higher
house of Congress. But whatever choic'
is made, it should be voluntary on tht
part of the Legislature, and should be
tribute to merit, and not the result o.
political tricks and ''cute" wire-pulling
Only by the adoption of such system
as this for filling high Office can our citi
zens ever hope to see the best men il
place and our politics elevated AS it il
now, it is too often the case that infe-
riOr men, possessed of no special qualifi
cation but cunning, rise to prominence
thus really making the private station
the only real post of honor.
The Northeastern LaLna6ern1GR makes
very serious attack on the accuracy o.
the lumber statistics of the present cen