Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-01
DIR, william H. FELTON,.

i didate Of the organized Democracy, Judg
s George N. Lester, the presiding officer Of tn
Blue Ridge circuit. Notwithstanding tn
fact that Judge Lester received the valuable
support of the Hon Joseph E. Brown, nov
one of Georgia's representatives in the Sen
ate, and host Of other politicians, DIR. Eel
ton had an easy victory. Two successive vic
tories-ss his friends clain-brought abou
a feeling of confidence; and it was this tina
defeated him for Congress in 1880, together
with the fact that DR.. FELTON, failed to receive
the support of the Republicans Of
his district, who had voted for him
solidly in the two successful campaigns that
preceded the one of 1880. The Republicans
in the last election refused to vote for him
on the ground that his. practices in Wash-
ington were not in keeping with his expires.
sions on the stump in Georgia and promises
to Republicans; but it is now probable that
the doctor will regain the confidence OF his
Republican friends, to whom he to great
extent owed his success, az he has taken
several steps toward indorsing progressive
opinions and Republican principles. He is
| again rallying his forces about him, and
will make the race for Congress from the
Seventh district next November, unless he is
urged to make the race for governor at the
| head of an anti-Bourbon party. BY some
of his admirers he is regarded az a second
Henry Clay, both in appearance and on the
| stump. That he will make it uncomfort-
ably warm for whoever opposes him, there is
but little doubt. A few days since DR.. Eel
ton visited Atlanta for the purpose of call
ing upon General James Longstreet, the
present United States marshal of Georgia,
who is in perfect harmony with DIR. FELTON,;
and, while here, persuaded him to submit to
AN INTERVIEW.
He talked quite freely, as will be seen by the
| following:
"Doctor," / asked, "what effect, if any,
will Mahone's recent victory in Virginia
have upon independence in Georgia"
81 think one good effect will be the assur-
ance it gives the Independents of Georgia
and of the South that victory is possible.
Heretofore one great obstacle to the success
of the Independents has been the belief, en-
tertained by thousands OF our best citizens,
that organized Democracy in Georgia and in
all the Southern States was impregnable;
that against its moss-covered ramparts all
aggressive movements were doomed to fall
ure. 1t is considered almost sacrilege to
question the strength and infallibility OF an
organization which had 30 long dominated
all political, social, and economic matters In
the South, and whose traditions were inter-
woven with our history before and during
the civil war. Our young men felt that their
future political, professional, and business
success was largely dependent upon this or.
ganizsd Democracy. All their dreams and
aspirations we're colored in some measure by
the hope of the kindly approval and friendly
assistance of this political power. To OPP
pose it was to become political outcast-to
throw yourself away politically. Independ-
entism might succeed in some counties, in an
occasional congressional district, owing to
local and personal causes; but to make an
attack along the line was to tight the IRE
sistible. Mahone's victory teaches our peo- |
pie that
ORGANIZED BoURBoNIsM Is VULNERABLE;
that, like Achilles, whose mother thought |
lessly failed to dip his heel in the river Styx,
and thereby left one vulnerable place in his |
body, which proved his overthrow, this or
ganization, heretofore considered invincible |
and perpetual in the South, is shown to be
mort Il, can be wounded, can be defeated;
and, in my judgment, when men generally
recognize that fact the power and prestige of
the organisation will have departed. Men
have long been tired of its methods, its
frauds, its intolerance, its prescription, its
utter lack of well-defned principles-held
together only in the hope of spoils and Off
ciaI place, subordinating country to party
purposes, resting like an incubus upon the
growth and prosperity of the South, running
in ruts that the institution of slavery cut
deep in Northern thought and Southern
legislation. / believe that now men who
have been looking for way of escape from
.heSe evils, anu VINO nave 6cch pOWcI VI | ,
will join their political
utures to this rapidly-growing movement in
Georgia"
"Will there be a regular Independent
movement in this State next year; and who
will lead it?" {
"There will be; that is to say, there will {
Ne Independent candidates for all the prin- |
ipal Offices which are to be filled by cleo 6
ions next year-governor, congressman and
TIERS Indeed, the moral force of organized
,ourbonism has been broken in Georgia ever 7
ince 1874. 1t only needed one breach in its 7
1alls
TO SHOW ITS WEAKNESS, U
, remove the awe and veneration with which |;
inspired men. Before this time the most
Intelligent citizens would tremble at the
nipple intimation that they were not in line Z
18th their party-that they meditated any a
ling like revolt from the behests of the as a
.mbled tricksters and manipulators OF the e
rganizatiou. 1t was regarded something e
Ike accommodation from the church in the v
,urteenth century. 1t was social ostracism.
4 many cases it involved business ruin.
ut now contempt rather than terror is Il
wakened in liberal and intelligent minds by p
lie threats and displeasure of Bourbon lead n
ship. Another matter has heretofore ope- a
tied in Georgia in favor of Bourbon So o.
iity, viz the pretended apprehension that B
e State might fall into the hands of the S
epublican party and some congressional
stricts be controlled by negro votes. But =,
IT citizens have had the courage in these Z
st years to inquire wherein they have been is
.nsftted by this unrelenting war on the Ell
epublican party. What have we gained a.
morally, materially? Has the IL
,uth under the dominion of organized De- y
ocracy prospered and grown in manufac- +
res, agriculture, population, and wealth
nerally more than the North under Re Y
lblican sway? Have our affairs been ad- =, N
Mustered more honestly, more econom- ~
ally, and more wisely than theirs? Alas! g,
e inquiry has not been favorable to the ~
.mocratic rule in the South. Men do not a.
gard with horror now, as they did some :. 20
ars ago, the possibility of Republican su -
emacy. If it is suggested to an intelli- ~
Mt M an to-day in Georgia, his probable re-
= will be, re
WE CAN'T BE woRsTED' wi
-erywhere in the State good men-liberal TN
men-are anxious for az
W political regime. Our young men feel pr
1t in following this organization they have .e'
lowed an ignas fdtuus that only decelves-- IN
1t dances before them brightly just pre- ca
,us to our National elections, and, when the
les are counted, leaves them stranded upon D,
itical blunders and apparent corruption. ;st
orgia is ripe for revolt. 10
You ask, who will lead this movement ~,
nswer, if successful, the people will lead p,
The liberal men of all parties, Demo- Vi
Is and Republicans, forgetting all former ba
.ty alliances, coalescing under the COM sn,
n banner, with one common purpose-to On
'press present political evils, and inaugu-
e a better system in the Statc-will move
to victory. Whoever carries their stand the
must be the choice Of the people; with of
IN political record with pluck, energy and is
YER on the stump; and who Will shatter no of
sshouse as he brings home to the political elu
ksters and corruptionists oil the State their of
itical and official crimes" let
DO YOU believe all the Democrats and We
Dublicans who are opposed TO Bourbon mi
.hods and sentiments could be brought
ether upon one common platform; and, if
Ipon what issues would the fight be made, ami
your opinion" sar
e Republicans who will refuse to Coop. bra
te with the Independents in their fight wo
inst organized BourbOnism. For years ami
/, in Georges, this class of Republicans ana
e been in secret and sometimes in open, pal
ance with organized Bourbonism. Under Tn
guise of RepublIcanism-of Supporting Fra
r own candidates for ofice-they manage
,ast their votes as to do the most good
The opposition. These cases are few, ex- u
.ional and strongly marked. The great n's
8 of the Republicans will be found stand acr
shoulder to shoulder with Independent ID
nocrats in their war upon the methods So
sentiments which have so long controlled I'M
South. This will be the great issue; the TN
humiliation of the methods aud senti- ser
It's which have retarded the prosperity o.
happiness of these States. If were re- ma
ed to formulate the issues that will be acr
lie prominent in this Independent move 7
t in Georgia, and upon which platform T..
principles Democrats and Republicans
stand until they are enforced in prac- pa
/ would give something like the fol- - -
ng: r.
THE ISSUES FORMULATED. -
st-The political caucus is only advisory | -
s charaeter-should have no binding force | ieeP
the actions and conseiences of free citizens OF otts
government; but every ballot cast At an cleo con
should represent the convictions of the indi 80
n voter 81
ond-We ins list that il is essential to free gov
enf 10 have a-free ballot, and fair count of Wi
lepotez<hsnestly cast at any State or national
Dr. and the mnchinery OF managing and su-
sing elections shouldLfe guarded and, protec-4
aW 50 that fraud WILDE impossible tnisi
~ ,lS me Ne yr5e3f al the natisnsi and state oil
las rapidly Is o. surplus revenues wiz au- der