The Dawson journal., 1886-05-13
Let the People Elect Their Governor.

best and most conservative we
have yet seen on the gubernatori-
al question. 1t contains ideas
that suggest much reflection on
the part of those who have inten-
tions of supporting Gen. Cord IN
for Governor. We reproduce it
not only because it speaks the
JOURNALS sentiments, but because
we believe the majority of our
readers will endorse it:
The first principle of good gov
ernment is that the people should
be free to choose their own Off
GERS. The filling of public place
and the succession to that place
should not be dictated by dynas-
ties or settled by combinations.
Since the campaign Of 1880, when
Martin VaDBuren was selected IS
the successor to Andrew jackson,
the whole plan has been fraught
with danger to the State and to
the General Government. The
tactics which retired Calhoun have
buried many good public men
since, and the nominations of Gov
ernors and Presidents have often
been dictated by the politicians of
New York.
Such a system is Indifferent to
individual merit, subversive of Of
fetal excellence and hostile to
Democratic government. If un-
der any stress or crisis such pro-
cedure was ever necessary, it is
not necessary now, and if at any
time such a precedent was injuri-
Gus, it is doubly injurious now.
There is a cold conviction in the
State of Georgia that the people
should be left alone to select their
Governor in their own way, and
that when the popular preference
seemed to call for one of the two
prominent men who had been be-
fore them at the opening of this
campaign, there is no occasion for
the reopening of the door and the
! admission of another candidate
identified with an official set al
ready in power, or seeking vindi-
cation for public action already
PISSED. The drift Of public opin-
ion should not be disturbed in
any such away.
The people of Georgia have not
declared by parry action or in Of
fetal form who they want for
Governor. There is one of these
candidates, however, whose claims
the people received with especial
favor, and whose progress was
marked with distinctive kindness.
He had represented his county for
ten years in the Legislature and
had made for himself a clean rec
ORD in his professional and in his
public capacity. He is not a man
of erratic impulse or uncertain
power. He is conservative, clean
handed and capable, and has pre-
sided with dignity, skill and abil-
! ity over the lower house of our
General Assembly. His war rec
ord was that of the thousands who
bravely, patiently and faithfully
followed the fortunes of his State,
and who, since the war, has re-
peatedly resigned his claims for
distinction i'll favor of other men
whom his party has selected. In
the Stephens Convention of 1882,
it was no disgrace for Hon. A. O.
Bacon to have retired before Mr..
Stevens, whom the whole State
rose up to honor. In the special
Convention of 1888 it was no last
ing loss to have been withdrawn
| by a conference committee, when
he was already within q few votes
of the nomination. In each in
stance his defeat was accepted
without murmur, and his fealty
was given without reservation.
This is the man before the people,
and these are some of the reasons
why his friends believe he should
be elected Governor Of Georgia.
Gen. Gordon has formally an
nounced his candidacy for the
Governorship. Gen. Gordon s
record has been bright one, and
few men in the State or South
have more to look back upon with
pride. Emerging from the fore
front of civil war the warrior
wreath upon his brow, he was
without preliminary service or de.
lay carried to the very top station
in the gift of the State. The
first man elevated to this national
honor when this privilege was re.
stored was John B. Gordon. He
was Observation-Disclosures
unanimously returned when his
term had expired. Was ever rec
ognition more immediate? Was
ever endorsement more cordial
more complete? A few months
later he laid down his trust-con.
fessedly for his own convience-
and for his own personal reasons
within three weeks before the adj.
journment of Congress.
Now, shall it be said that a man
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