Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-30


In pursuence Of the call Of the Chairman
of the Democratic party Of Chatham county,
the largest, most enthusiastic and respeeta-
bic meeting Of the Democracy of Chatham
county ever seen in this city was held in the
Theatre last evening, every section of which
was denselY crowded.
At eight O'Clock punctuslly the meeting
was called to order by Hon. Rufus Z. Les
ter. Chairman, who, after stating that the
manager OF the Theatre desired gentlemen
n the audience not to smoke, as there was
liability to accidents, said
FELLOW CITIzEss-I felt 1t my duty to
call together tonight the organized Demo-
Gratis Of the countY-.hOse who are in har-
mony with the pr yin order that they may
take such action in en- emergency that has
arisen as they may think proper. hope,
fellow citizens, that whatever Is done
will be marked with decencY aud
o. Il order. IL any gentleman de-
sires to speak upon any question
before the meeting he should be heard with
patience and not replied 10 with temper.
No gentleman should speak with tsmper.
III YOU have any sDites TO express, or have
private differences to settle, l hope you
will settle them like men beyond this place.
This is no place for any conduct that would
not be proper on any solemn occasion.
This, ike all occasions where the Demo =
racy assemble for consultation and to settle
their differences, IS q solemn occasion. II
you think there is nothing in the party
nothing except TO be watchers upon the
scene, 70 isuEN s-1 70 be amused, you are
IL what We do is to be regarded ss farce,
serious men will be excused from appearing
In It. You have come together for the trans
action OF important business. When here
two weeks ago candidates were nominated
for the Legislature. Some who were not
satisfied with the action OF the presiding
officer have seen fit 10 put themselves in
opposition to the Democracy. | have
nothing to say Of the motives actuating
them. They may feel justified 10 their own
minds as to their course, bu- this is not G
proper topic for discussion. l said then the
believed that what was dore was
the result Of the heat Of passion,
and would It work all around sll right.
Instead Of proceeding with zeal and
energy, there has been lUkeWarmness,
aud two OF the gentlemen have seen fit
to ssy to the Democratic party, in view of
the action taken by the Executive Commit
tee, "We tender back the nomination then
made, and leave to you to take such action
as you may deem best" Last night 1 was
handed paper, the consideration Of which
is the object of this call
The Secretary then read the letter, as fol-
lows:
SAVANNAH, GA, September %. 1882.
Hon. Rufus E. Lester, Chairman Of the De1lO
cratic RITfy Of Chatham County:
DEAR SIR-'lne undersigned who were
nominated by the mass meeting Of the
Democratic party Of Chatham county, held
at the Theatre on the 18Th inst, beg leave
10 tender through you their designations Of
the honor then conferred. Our reasons for
taking this step are as follows:
When the nOminationG were rendered and,
after refusal, were insisted upon, we felt
that It was the voies Of the party, and there
fore It would be ungraciOus, to say the least,
for us to decline. We accepted with the
expectation thst the party would uphold
US as its standard bearers as heartily and as
unanimously as it had called Us to serve it.
The action, however, OF the Executive
Committee at It's meeting on the 9th inst,
has materially changed the status Of affairs.
When that committee refused to call
meeting OF the party to receive the report
Of it, duly accredited delegates to the Sena-
tOnal Convention, held at Eden on Tues day
last, It proved to US that ma oritY Of the
committee were, IL not actually hostile to
the regular organization, at least Indifferent
to the great issues before the people, and
the success of the ticket which the
pMty had placed In the field, IS such action
gave to our opponents Ii e prestige OF a VIC
tory in that convention. The Executive
Committee have declined t0 call q meeting
OF the Democracy, and thus Our friends are
deprived Of the use OF that most powerful
OF all powers In political oSmpaigns-the
right Of addressing the people III regular
organized meetings upon the issues before
them.
In the face of such apathy on the part Of
tie Executive Committee, we do not feel
inclined to take part in the contest. With q
proper organization. one ia sympathy with
this movement to free the party, the CITY
and the county from the control OF few
men, we think there could be no doubt Of
a triumph OF the people; but without Orgsni-
cation, and with those who control the des-
tiny OF the party refusing to act for
its success, 1t is not for US, who are not
aspirants for political honors, to attempt
uuaided to carry on campaign in behalf of
the Democracy.
We, therefore, have decided to return to
the Democracy the trust condded to us, and
let them take such action as they In their
assembled wisdom may think best, and Re-
specially ask you to call a meeting for that
purpose. j. b. EsTILL.
L. BALLANTYNE.
Immediately after the reading Mr.. Jo-
ssph Hull arose and offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That committee OF twenty five
be appointed by the Chair to consider the
designations submitted, and report TO this
meeting; and that this committee, In the
event they conclude to recommend the &C
ceptanee OF the designations, or any OF them,
shall also suggest other candidates for the
Legislature.
The resolution was seconded aud csrIied
enthusiastically.
The Chairman stated that he would not
attempt 10 select the committee of twenty
five from this audience now, but would ap-
point the same nominating committee of
gentlemen who served at the last meeting,
aud thersupon read over the names. Sew
ersl Of the gentlemen were not present and
their places were filed. The nominating
committee as thus appointed was as follows: