Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-08
The Late Georgia Independents.


The Republican party of Georgia has
been moribund for 80 long a time that
hardly anyone in tue state or out OF ii
feels enough interest in it to inquire about
its condition and future plans. 1t would
be better for its adherents, beyond doubt,
if it were quite dead and its misery termi-
mated. There being no reason tor keeping
it alive by artificial stimulants since the
National Government has passed into
/ Democratic hands, nothing remains Tor II
TO do but to pass out OF existence.
The question has frequently been asked,
! 'What has become Of the independents OF
Georgian" 1t has been a long time since
the newspapers have been full of the pro-
clamatious and plans Of the self-elected
but able leaders Of the Independents, and
many people have forgotten that such
party or faction ever existed.
To answer the above question 1t is only
necessary to tell what has become of the
leaders Of the Independents. That Will
answer it pretty fully, tor it is we'll
known fact that the Independent Parry
consisted Of few persons besides it's lead
ers. 1t is not a reflection. then, to say of
them that they were self-chosen leaders,
for was their election not unanimous?
OF all the leaders Of the Independents 1t
is probable that only one of them remains
faithful to the principles and traditions of
the party. That one is Col. Marcellus +.
Thornton. True, ne is not in active po-
litical life, but those who know him can
not doubt that be Is as Independent and
liberal IN his political views as ever.
Gen. Gartrell, whose career as an In
dependent was brief but brilliant, has
long been back in the bosom of his first
loYe-the good old Democratic party. 1t
was not his fault that the Independents
did not win under his leadership. An
able lawyer, a skilled debater, a gallant
soldier and an honest man, nothing kept
him from being elected Governor but
lack of voters in the Independent party.
Judge Speer's career since the dismem-
berment of the Independent party in the
Ninth district is well known. He is out
of politics, perhaps forever, and no doubt
he is glad of it.
The greatest of all the Independents,
the Rev. DR.. FELTON,, is now safely back in
the Democratic ranks. The Doctor is al
ways brave, and he has been brave
enough to publicly announce that in the fu-
ture he can be counted on as an organized
Democrat. His eloquence and his influ-
ence will hencefOrth be for Democracy
and harmony. If the doctor has not en-
tirely flung away ambition, since he has
condescended TO become a member of the
Georgia Legislature, he Will here after
take his chances in the Democratic con-
ventions. The Doctor is entitled
to a hearty welcome, whether he
receives it or not. He thinks Independ-
entism has served its day, and that it has
been of great benefit to the Democratic
party of the Seventh district. Perhaps it
has. For the sake Of avoiding argument,
it may be admitted that it has. 1t is be-
lfeyed, however, that it has been of more
service in defeat than it was in victory.
There are two or three other leaders of
the Independents that may be heard from
in the near future. They certainly ought
to come back to the good Old Democratic
hearthstone and join in the general joy.