Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-31
THE DUTY OF THE HOUR.
HON. RUFUS E. LESTER AT WAY
CROSS.
An Able Presentation of the Issues of
the Dsy-Parties Reviewed-Grandeur
OF the Republic and of Georgia.

WAYCRoss, October %. - Editor 1forniao
Ne'os' The citizens of Waycross and the sur
rounding country enjoyed the pleasure to-day
OF listening to an address upon the national is
sues OF the day from your nlustrious and wor-
thy fellow citizen and our fellow Georgian Hon.
Rufus E. Lester. The announcement was not
as extensively circulated as it should have
Deen' nevertheless the court house was filed
with very attentive end appreciative audi.
ence rev appropriate airs were PLAYED by
our silver cornet band from the veranda of the
building, and at half past eleven the meeting
was called to order by Mr. Warren Lott Chair
man OF the Democratic Executive COMMITTEES
OF Ware &C 4ty.
On mo, a of Colonel John G Mcdonald. w
a. ,Wrlgn' was elected Secretary and DR.. W. r.
folks was requested to state the object of the
meeting and introduce the speaker The
DOCTOR ascended the rostrum and in brief
ana appropriate manner discharged the du-
Ties requested of him. He paid high but
richly deserved tribute to the illustrious gen
tleman who had been invited to address cur
people.
Col. Lester arose amidst the enthusiastic
cheers OF the audience and delivered one of
the finest and most eloquent addresses we
nave ever had the pleasure of listening to- He
Inansed the people for their kind reception,
ana Tor the support they gave him in the gu
Dernatorlal canvass two years ago (to which
DR.. Fosse had referred in his introduction: but
ne Sald ne was not now candidate for Gov
any other Office He came here as an humble
worker IN the cause of the Democracy OF his
district He demonstrated in the most cOnclu-
sve manner that the Democratic party was
the only party for the safety OF the country
ana the government. We are met by two
parties contending for the control of the
ever gIveEnment, ne l. and the question is, to
and best tn intrust the reins of
governments He then reviewed briefly the
conduct OF the political affairs of the country
un9er the control OF each OF these two parties
and endeavored forcibly to impress upon the
voters OF this district the Importance Of parti-
cIpatlng IN the election and casting their votes
he mad but little doubt as to their choice of
partleS or candidates. The great danger Law in
their indifference and neglect 10 discharge the
duty, the most sacred, the most important du-
" OF every American citizen, the duty of cast
ing his ballot He considered the onlv oues-
ton to be determined now is who is to repre-
sent us In the next national House of Repre-
sentatives. 1t was unnecessary to discuss prin-
cries, for the principles of the Democratic
party are too old to need discussion All were
familiar with them
The eloquent orator then entered upon a
brief review of the relative position and prin.
SlpIe OF poiltlcaI parties in this country from
lCS early history down to the present time The
centrallzlng Federalism of Hamilton and his
school of politicians. and the broader Demo
cratic principles Of Jefferson and his adhe.
rents, were widely different, but both honest
IN Jnelr opinions as to which was the best cal
culated to promote the interests Of the people.
the prosperity aud success Of the government;
the former believing that the centralized
power was necessary to govern a people
Just entering upon Of their own
the latter trusting more confidently to the
Individual pride, Independence and patriotism
or the citizen. The history of the past has
shown the correctness of Mr. Jefferson's views
He then spoke briefly of the WhigIpartv based
also upon honest convictions of right, but de-
stroyed by the fanatcism of the North But
the party calling itself the National Republi-
can party was never founded upon principle
and never had any principle. Calling itself
National, it had never had national exist.
ence, and was never national in its Influences
Colonel Lester spoke at some ength on this
particular branch of his subjec and was lis
Tened 70 with marked attention by his audi
ence, large portion Of which were colored
men. Ihe Radical mail agent whose wife is
the PostmistresS here, was also present
ana gave the speaker his undi
the fact that comparatively few white
men in the South were Repu blicens and in al.
most every instance-indeed. if not every one
where such was the case it was either he
cause he was Federal Office holder or on the
wild hunt for an office In this way alone
white men got into that party and If they were
unfortun te enough to lose the Office they
stayed in the party In the hope OF getting an
other He was very severe upon this class of
Republicans, and lashed them heavily right and
left he reviewed the history Of the Republi-
can party in the South; its disregard of all law
while in power, its bayonet rule and itS MANY
acts Of lawlessness and oppression. He Showed
coDclusively to the colored people that it was
not to their interest to support such party.
after speaking at some length upon this and |
other matters concerning our national politics !
and the importance OF every mans attending |
the election on the 9TH OF November and cast
ing his ballot for Nichols, Colonel Lester re- |
ferred with lofty pride and in glowing eIo- |
quence to the greatness of our country-a |
country of which every American is Justly |
proud, and then of our own State of Georgia. |
OF which every Georgian is so proud-not |
only because OF her past, or her present great |
ness, but because size has a memory, the |
memory OF her noble sons, who gave up their |
lives in the service OF their State. Her John |
son, her Barlow, her Hall, though now living |
silent In the bosom of their native Georgia |
their memories will live forever in the hearts |
or heir people. To each of these great pa |
triots and statesmen the illustrious orator paid
most touching and eloquent tribute and / |
wish cou,d give it to your readers Just as it |
IeiI from the eloquent speakers lips. Indeed |
should lise to be able to lay before them the |
entire address, for fear that have done the |
able gentleman great injustice in this brief |
synopsis.
Colonel Lester's visit to our town and his |
ADDRESS 10 our people will prove immensely |
Denenclal TO the Democratic cause in this dis |
trlct Previous to his coming there was a CON |
siderable amount Of Indifference and Ietharsv
among the people, but it is the opinion Of |
thoSe VINO listened to him today that there |
will be Awakening up now to the Importance |
or the matter. and good majority will be |
scored for Nichols in this county on the 7th |
of next month.
Peasants and John Deveaux, of your civ.
being present during the speaking of Colonel |
Lester IN the morning, the colored people call |
ed meeting at 3 O'Clock in the afternoon, and |
speeches were made by both Of them.