The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-07-15
ny Way Of Correction.

The Macon Telegraph and Messenger,
which is not printed 80 far from Florida
as to be beyond the reach of accurate in
formation, undertakes to enlighten its
readers in An article on "The Situation in
Florida" which it considers somewhat
alarming. 1t premises that there is much
dissension among the democrats, and re-
fers ominously to the antagonisms of
Bourbons," q the Crackers" O the
Cubans, ETC., and says:
Another cause for dissatisfaction is the Disston
land sale, whereby 1t Is stated the State led to
dispose of Its four million acres-nearly the whole
of the public domain-for twenty-five cents per
acre to parties who are selling it at figures from
five to forty times as large
-Four million acres was not one-fourth
of the public domain, instead of nearly
the WHOLE as the Georgian asserts; and,
instead of being cause for dissatisfac-
tion," the sale of this portion which fur
nished money to pay off the judgment
debt that encountered the whole, and re-
stored the balance of the domain to the
control Of the State, was a most popular
measure of financial policy, for it placed
the land in the market, and it enabled
grants which caused the construction of
many hundred miles of railroads that
opened up the country. Its wisdom has
been conceded by the majority of the po-
litical opponents of the administration,
and has been mainly disputed by few
disappointed Office seekers and selfish
schemers seeking to build up an "inde-
pendent party by false and specious as
saults upon the State government and the
democracy. The attempt to build an in
dependent party was signal failure, and
the few leaders, who "burned the bridge
behind them" and could not return to
the democratic party, have gone into the
the republican camp. Their departure
strengthens the democracy, who are thus
relieved of an element of discord, and
now see in their true character the trait
ors who essayed to destroy the party or
ganization and betray the State into the
hands OF the radicals
Says the Telegraph and Messenger
Amongst the Republicans. however, there are
also discussions, the negroes seeking to lead, and
boiling when unsuccessful. The Cuban vote,
though numbering but eli hit hundred, becomes
important factor when it is remembered that the
last State election was carried by less than four hun
dred majority, and when it is further remembered
that only third of this vote is is assurcdy Demo-
cratic Viewed from a distance, Florida politics
seem in bad condition for Presidential year.
They are full Of conflicting interests, diversified
opinions passion, distrust and recrimination the
only ray of light being the fact that the Republicans
are in almost as unsettled condition as the Demo-
Gratis. What will be the effect should large cam
pagn fund be thrown into the State and a
good leader be sent in to unite the native Republi
can, the Northern Western, Cuban and negro vote,
is hardly matter Of doubt. The only action that
save Florida to he Democrats, in our opinion,
is prompt union and harmony the part of the
leaders And in this there is opportunity for the
display of unselfshness and patriotism seldom Of
fered TO modern politicians. Let Florida Demo-
Gratis, laying aside their differences, hold confer
ence Of peace, else may, as in TO- the State become
the national battle ground and defeat again stare
the party in the face
The Georgia journal is correctly in
formed about there being dissensions
among the Republicans" but not as to
their extent. The intruding Indepen-
dent i" Office seekers, the discordant con-
ventions, the double nominations by fac
tions, have brought the republican forces
to a desperate condition of decentralization,
and though the bulk Of them will proba-
bly, be driven back into line by their
whippers-in, much Of the better por-
ton will vote with the Democrats. The
na1,ro lao1o-o ho ,,o aooo-to1 tho rooo ;o.uo
so Extensively as to drive from them
many of the white republicans.
The Georgia journal says "the last
State election was carried by less than
four hundred majority" 1t was carried
BY over five thousand Democratic major
ity-Governor Bloxham's majority, Off
cial figures, being five thousand and
eighty-one. Really, great and intluen-
tial paper Of our neighboring State
should post itself better az to facts when
it discusses the affairs of its good neigh
bor, Florida 1t should know, too, that
it's counsel about "union and harmony"
though kindly, is unnecessary. Has it
heard of the Pensacola Convention Does
it read the Florida papers But one
small, so-called democratic paper, of
crooked antecedents and without infu-
ence, declines to support the nominees,
and it's opposition is more useful than its
approval would be. The Florida Demo
Gratis are united and harmonious, and en-
thusiastic enough to believe that they
can double the majority of four years
ago. Since then many young democrats
have come of age, many from other States
have come among us. and many have
been converted from republicanism by
the admirable democratic administration
of governmental affairs, and see in the
continuance of such administration the
only security for progress and prosperity.
The Tiger Democracy at the late convention in