Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-27
A Few More Words for Independents
anu Rollers.

perpetuation will be recognized, we
think, in the principle of civil and poll
teal equality embraced in our Decle-a-
ton of Independence. In this equality
Of citizenship is found the strength of
popular government, in opposition to
the schemes Of ''bossism," which sim
ply implies ambition, discomfort,
turbulence and official corruption.
Having no superior classes of individu-
ais to overthrow, the aims of selfish
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or dissatisfaction can be
directed only against the Constitution
and the laws or party discipline. But
as the people adopt constitutions and
make the laws by their attorneys and
representatives, and are themselves the
party, the malice Of destruction is in
fact directed against the people,
who are the masters of the sit
uation, and the real and only "bosses"
TO whom allegiance should be paid.
Herein lies the safety of our Republic.
Demagogues may ingeniously concert to
deceive and mislead the popular mind;
but there is a virtue in the Democratic
shield of Principles, not men," that
splinters every lance touching it with
hostile purpose. The personal ambition
of General Grant for perpetual lule, as
exhibited in his aspirations
for third Presidential term,
was broken by this sentiment,
feebly as it was adhered to in the Repub.
lican party. But though nearly crushed
to earth by the imperial anticipations of
the aristocratic capitalists who supported
General Grant, the principle retained
sufficient vitality to triumph over them all
when the masses raised their voice and
cast their votes against third termism.
This is history, and to-day history is
repeating itself in the political campaign
of 1882. The same conspiracy that
would have changed the Executive chair
into throne is, and has been, busily
at work, and to-day in Georgia
we are fighting it in the person of
General Gartrell, who. sustained by
the Hubbell system for purchasing votes
by forced exactions from trembling,
compliant government clerks, is without
a justifable pretext for his conduct, in
becoming the willing instrument of the
enemies of Democracy in Georgia. For
General Gartrell has neither advanced by
his own voice or pen, nor have any of
his supporters for him a sufficient reason
for his abandonment of his former (pro-
fessed political party, and for his aero
batic leap into the arms of the opponents
of that party.
The public and the press have no con-
Germ with the private lives of respectable
citizens, but when one emerges from his
retirement and solicits public Office in
the service of. the people, it becomes not
only their right but their duty to ask
who the candidate is, what are his claims
for appointment, and what his qualifca-
| tiOns for the Office he seeks. In the cOur.
teOus exercise of this right we therefore
ask, "Who is General Gartrell?" His
record replies: ga respectable lawyer in
the city of Atlanta, of fair mediocre
abilities, and nothing more" Whence
| his title Of General?" From a stat 7a0Dai-
ms UmbrG appointment of General pro-
cured after much solicitation in the late
civil war" ''Has he experience in po-
litical matters2" Little, if any, as his
record shows" HAS he won distinc-
ton IN his profession, in his military
service, or in his political careerH'
''None, whatever. He has procured a
little notoriety, but no fame" Chow,
then, does it happen that the Republicans
of Georgia have chosen him for their
candidate for Governor" ''For their
ends"
General Gartrell processes to be a
member of the Democratic party, now
engaged in one of the severest struggles
for the preservation of the distinctive
| principles of Democratic government.
This party met in convention legitimate
ly, and organized duly, and placed before
our people for Governor the Hon. Alex
ander II. Stephens. General Gartrell,
acting on his individual impulses, bolted
the nomination and deserted his party,
his race and his social status-for what?
For the leadership Of the Radicalism
which, since the close of the war, has
necessarily striven to crush the people
of Georgia to the earth. and keep them
there, under the grinding heels of a po-
litical despOtism.
IdenticallY the same spirit Of disor-
ganization and rebellion which the De-
mocracy Of Georgia are fighting in their
contest with Independentism under the
leadership of General Gartrell, the De-
mocracy of Chatham county are fighting
against the boilers who recently deserted
the party and placed an independent
sAOhO1 VI IhC44 OWn III TIC uOAO' OO-
cause, forsooth, the small minority of
boilers could not dictate terms to an
overwhelming majority of the party,
they arrogantly set themselves up
against the party. 1t is worthy
of note too that they rely for
success not upon the votes of the Demo
cracy, but upon those of persons outside
the party, and who, for that reason, did
not participate in the recent mass meeting
at the Theatre. Just as General Gartrell
hopes to destroy the Democratic organi-
cation in the State for his personal ag-
grandizement, just so these Chatham
county boilers propose to destroy the
prestige and the integrity of the Demo
cratic party in the county for their indi-
vidual ends.
This is plain statement of the case.
Will the people and the Democracy of
the State or county allow Independents
and boilers to be their bosses? 1t re-
mains with them alone to answer this
question.
Taxation does not create value. 1t
merely transfers it. Tariff duties trans
fer value out of the pockets of consum-
ers to the Treasury when they pur-