Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-04-02
GOV. BoYNTON.
A Protest Against the Tactics of Those
Who Are Opposing Him.

W hO <AIC OPBOcAkS
Editor Morning Nelcs: Until the ap
pearance in print of the Bullock letters"
had no special preferences for any one
for the vacant Governorship. l felt that
upon whatever shoulders the Democracy
of Georgia saw proper to place the mantle
so early dropped by the ''great common
er,'' it would be on those worthy to wear
it and won in an honorable contest to
obtain it. But when patriotism was
sought to be pillOried on the altar of
prejudice, and virtue defeated on that
ground alone. then l became no longer
locker on in Vienna. / am now in favor
of Governor BOynton, first, last and all
the time, in this contest. | think the plan
adopted to defeat him a most contemplate
one, unworthy to have found a hidden re-
treat in the breast of any true Georgian,
much less an open advocacy. l know not
nor do / believe the people at large
care what motives actuated him in
making the application to Governor
Bullock, but l do believe his own
friends and neighbOrs knew his motives,
and, knowing them, it not only did not
weaken him, but gave him additional
strength among them, since they have
more or less honOred and trusted him
from that period till now. This satisfies
me that he made only simple, straight
forward statement to Governor Bullock,
with the sole purpose of obtaining the po-
sitiOn that he might -the better serve and
protect his people. 1t was no attempt at
fawning sycOphancy. 1t was an applica-
ton backed by motives of the purest
patriotism. so claimed by his most
intimate friends; and, while made
with no attempt at deception, it
was cOuched in terms of respect, and
such as were best adapted to secure the
desired end. | believe that much of the
evil and wrong inflicted upon the State
could have been prevented If other good
men had come forward and taken deeper
and more active interest than they did i'll
the restoration of civil authority. But
standing aloof, as many did, while others
were bearing the burdens of those dark and
troublOus times, | do think it contempti-
Bile in the highest degree for those ''stay-
away-frOm- the-pOlls'' GROWERS to seek to
make capital for themselves now at the
expense of those who did so much then for
their country. If a friend in need is
friend indeed, then we should manfully
stand by those whose patriotism is not OF
the band box order, or the holiday style,
but who have stood at the helm through
all the heat and burden of the day. In
the tented field or in legislative halls, as
an humble citizen or as leader, none can
say that Governor BOyntOn ever failed to
meet whatever emergency was upon him.
All that his enemies claim against him is
that he sought wider field in which
to serve the people he loved, and at
time when they needed him most! He
betrayed no trust, he sacrificed no party
interest he violated no principle
of patriotism or manhood, but rather
he sought to close the breach between ar
bitrary rule and civil order, that he might
the earlier behold the white-winged dove
of peace and law settle over his State and
section. And for this he must be sacri-
ficedl For one protest against the at
tempt, and | believe the people will tri-
umphantly vindcate him from so ruthless
set of calumniators. CITIZEN.