Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-28
THE RECENT EDEN CONVENTION
The Action of the Democratic Dele
gates.

SAVANNAH, September 27.-Bditor Morn
ing NtaOs: 1t was my privilege to be present
at the recent gathering which was designed
to constitute a convention Of the First Sena.
torial district. Having been one Of the few
persons present who had no Senatorial
aspirations, l trust that am in position to
state dispassionately the view Of the action
there taken which seems to my mind the
proper one. The Industrious tongues Of the
enemies of organized Democracy, the apa-
thy Of some of our citizens and the honest
misunderstanding OF others have to an ex-
which plain statement may adjust to the
satisfaction of thu two classes last named.
When delegates are named by Democratic
organic ations to represent them at certain
places and times, they meet together at
such times and places and form what is
called a temporary convention. This tenn
pOrsry convention has three duties to per-
form, viz: the election of temporary Chair
man, a temporary Secretary and Commit
tee on Credentials.
If there are other duties to be performed
they are 50 unusual and insignificant as not
to claim attention here. Upon these three
topics the voice of every man is heard.
There may be fifty delegations claiming to
represent certain Democracy, and yet in
the deliberations of the temporary conven-
ton all participate. The purpose OF this
preliminary organization is simply In 8
business manner to clear the way for what
is called the permanent convention.
When the convention at Eden met 1t was
stated that there we're two sets of delegates
claiming to represent the Democracy OF
Chatham county, and that the delegations
from Bryan and Effingham were uncontestec.
At this time the st. Andrews Hall delega-
tion and the delegation of the regular De-
convention. When 1t became necessary to
form the Committee ON Credentials, mani
testify none but the uncOntested delegations
should have acted, and these were made a
committee. It cannot be said up to
this time that the Il gular delegation had
participated as such, because 1t had
yet to be determined which was the delegs-
ton from Chatham Bear in mind that this
was TO haze been convention OF the
organized Democracy, and that there is
necessarily but one organized Democratic
party in any one county In Georgia. The
delegations from Bryan aud Efdngham came
to the convention with the same character
of credentials which Major RYals had for the
delegation of which be was Chairman,
namely, those signed By the Chairman
OF the party and its Secretary. The
delegation from the regular Democracy
had no right to assume, and indeed 1t would
at that time have been insulting to have as
sumed, that Democratic committee from
temporary convention Of the Democracy OF
the disr ct would or could recognize any
delegation which did not come accredited
by the party. When the committee came In
and reported the aspect changed, there
was yet no permanent organization; moth
ing had been done by the regular delegation
save to signify that It had the proper
credentials and to await results. They were
committed to nothing.
At the first notice received by the regular
delegation that the Democratic party was
to be DISTINGUISHED Of three of the votes to
which 1t was entitled, it promptly proclaim
ed that 1t refused to participate IN the con-
vention whenever It should be organized.
They did not withdraw from the convention
because they never went IN. This Is clear,
because the very fact that both delegations
from Chatham we're seated in the tem porary
convention, demonstrates that such conveD-
ton was not the one which transacts the
business of nomination.
The regular delegation retired. after
they left the permanent organization was
effected, in which they did not participate
in any particular. | say they because five
of them left, Major Schwarz, who remained
in the interests of the boilers, whom he
elected to support, in no wise could be said
to be the Chatham delegation. Under his
credentials he was at most entitled to
but one vote, and In such q case
a msjority clearly prevails. They were
sent there to cast six votes; they were
denied three. A more disastrous precedent,
a more unjust act was never established or
done. This is the case shorn of the en-
bellishments with which It has been
adorned. There was no legal convention,
and there is>no Democratic nominee for
Senator from the First district.
Now, MIR. Editor, If these fves gentlemen,
loyal TO their trust and true to Democratic
principle, were not fairly treated by this
rump convention, with what feeliugs Of in
dignstion should we record their treatment
at the hands OF the Executive Committee of
the party here9 Their position was anoms-
lous. They had been given duty to per-
form and had been thwarted in its discharge.
They desired to report to the principal
which sent them, in order that it might be
settled for all time If their action was right
or wrong. II it was wrong, then
the Democracy Of Chatham could
have rectified IT.; II It was right, then
that Democracy would know how to redress
its grievances. The privilege Of making
such a report has been denied these gentle
men. Nay, the Democratic party Itself has
been denied the privilege Of hearing It, one
OF the leaders OF the opposition to the mo-
ton Icing a bolter from the organized
Democracy. The great voice of the party
hae been stifled by seven or eight men, some
Of whom are openly working against the
nominees of the party.
There is no wrong without way of right
ing 1t. Let the Democracy of Chatham
come together and demonstrate that whether
its foes are within or without; whether the
blows which fall upon 1t come from an open
enemy or from seditious pensioners upon
It's bountY, it can strike back, and strike
hard. Very respectfully,
WALTER g. CHARLTON.