The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1883-03-29
HON. ]. s. BoYNToN.


Letters have just been published
by the Atlanta Constitution and the
Macon Telegraph wherein Hon. j.
S. Boynton, applied to Governor
Bullock for the Judgeship Of the
Flint Circuit, and accompanied the
application by telling Bullock that
he had been an agent of the freed
mans bureau, and that he had re
ceived the recommendation of Major
George Tilson and Brevet Brigadier
General c. C. Sibley and the approval
of ell classes of bis fellow citizens.
In bis second letter he congratulstes
Bullock on bis Inauguration as Gov
srnor, and as au inducement for bis
appointment to the Judgeship. re-
fers to his acceptsbili,y to leading
Republicans, such as A. g. Murray,
J. Clarke Swayze, James Atkins,
VIM. Markham, and Others. The
third letter we give in full as fol-
lows
GRIFFIN, GA, August 10, IS68.-To His
Excellsncy X. b. Bullock, Governor Of Geor-
gia In the two previous communications
a.; Ind of tba
Circuit no allusion was maze to my political
status. | have demeaned myself respectfully
to all parties, taking no decided public stand
politically, because | am not, and do not pro
pose to be become n politician For these
reasons | ap not inimical to either party, and
therefore believe that in the main my appoint
inent would be acceptable to the bar and people
Of the circuit. Ifappointed shall not certain
ly pursue a course politically obnoxious to
those of my friends who place me in position.
trust you NAV find it consistent with your
judgment and feelings to give me the nomina
ton. If your excellency should desire to com
municate with me personally, it will afford me
great pleasure to call at such time as you may
designate. Respectfully your obedient servant,
JAMES s. BoYNToN.
Governor Boynton makes an ex
PLANTATION 10 which he says he "chsl-
legenges any man to find anything
in those letters that reflects discredit
upon him as democrat" That his
cougratulation of Bullock simply re-
fers to the restoration of civil rule.
He says his promise not to pursue
course politically obnoxious, meant
that he would not take an active
stand az a politician while on the
bench. He asserts that he opposed
Bullock for Governor, and was at
the polls every day during the elec~
ton working for General Gordon's
success. That his reference to lead
ing republicans was that their inhu-
ence With Bullock might commend
his character and capacity for the
appointment.
We have no words of condemna>
ton for any democrat who serves,
or asks to serve, in any legitimate,
honorable capacity under Republi
can administration, provided be does
not do so by trying to ride two
horses at once, or in other words
willing to be gagged and tied"
in order to secure the coveted place
On the contrary we think demo-
crat can apply, without humiliation
or degradation, to Republican gov
ernor and ask to be appointed or
fill en- office, giving value receive
in the faithful performance OF duties
devolving, without sacrificing his
principles or taintiDg his honor.
But in all candor we confess that we
do not admire the political conduct
of any democrat, who, in the dark
DAYS of radical misrule was willing,
with a remarkable importantly, to
comp romise bis political standing
and independent manhood, by tell
ing Republican Governor that 1t
you will make me Judge, | will not
be "inimical" or obnoxious" to
your party, but TO the contrary We
will be ''hsle fellows we'll met" 1T
Mr.. Boynton's letters do not warrant
this Interpretation, we must confess
then that we do not know what
language means. If Mr.. Boynton
thinks bis letters do not reflect dis~
credit upon him as consistent dem"
ocrat, he is privileged to construe
them as he pleases, and we will do
the same. The democratic party may
nominate and elect him, as Mr..
Stephens successor, yet we have the
courage of our convictions to say
that there are numerous democrats
in Georgia more deserving the honor.
A sad accident occurred at Camp