Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-20
Pronress of the Camnaign.

AS we anticipated and predicted, the
CAMPAIGN for the Gubernatorial nomina"
ton in this state mas become very per-
soDal, and hence rather exciting but
what other kind of q campaign could
reasonably be expected? There is very
little tor Gen. Gordon and Maj. Bacon to
raik about except personal matters. They
do not differ greatly with respect to State
/ questions. We have already made this
plain, and, also, that the difference which
does exist is no: of sufficient importance
TO have an appreciable influence in the
canvass.
1t is not easy 10 understand why Mai.
Bacon proposed joint discussion, unless
he thought the proposition would be de-
clined. He must have known, and his
friends also must have known that he IS
not as capable Of making favorable i'm
preston upon crowd, such as gathers
at political meetings, as Gen. Gordon is.
Maj. Bacon may be a very able man, and
may have all the qualities which are nee
essary to make a successful Governor,
and yet not be a popular stump orator.
We are inclined to think, Judging from
the reports of the Joint meetings which
have thus far taken place, that Maj,
Bacon made a mistake when he proposed
to meet Gen. Gordon on the stump. In
taking that step ne showed confidence in
his ability to present to the people ex-
cellent reasons why they should make
him their candidate for Governor, and,
perhaps, he thought that his own public
record could not be assaied successfully
while Gen. Gordon's could. If the public
record question influenced his course his
judgme MT as politician is not as good as
his friends have been inclined to think it
is. Charges against public man, where
he has chance to deny them, are apt TO
do him more good than harm, unless they
are supported by unquestionable evil
dence. Such charges, unsupported eX-
cept by doubtful circumstantial evidence,
are regarded by the majority of people as
OF little account.
Certain charges have been made against
Gen. Gordon, which he has denied and
continues to deny. We venture to say
that unless they are put beyond ques-
ton of doubt, by evidence in support of
them which will be accepted, they will
creating sympathy for him.
AS far as we have noticed Maj. Bacon's
record has not been assailed except in
one particular, and that only by insinua-
tor. He promptly met the attack, and
repealed it with indignation. AS pure a
man, however, as Mag. Bacon has the
reputation of being, he ought not to
be surprised if he finds, as
the campaign progresses, that
stories, not entirely creditable to him.
ind their way into circulation. AS the
feeling aroused by the contest becomes
more intense campaign stories will be
manufactured out of very slender
materials.
There appears to be another reason why
Maj. Bacon should have avoided joint dis
cussions. 1t is that he is a man of quick
temper, and is apt to resent an injustice,
or what has the appearance of being a
slight, with more feeling than judgment.
When a man loses his tenn
per in joint discussion he
creates the impression, as a rule, that he
Is oYermatched. 1t is true that at Eaton
ton the odds were against Maj.
Bacon, because Gen. GOrdon's friends
were greatly in the majority, but
that should not have betrayed him into
losing his temper. He should have striven
to appear at his best in order to make
converts among the adherents OF his OPP
ponent. There are certainly few men In
the State who are capable OF making a
better impression than Maj. Bacon when
his SURF oundings are favorable.
1t is to be regretted that so many things
will be said and published during this
personal campaign that will leave wounds
which will be long while in healing. If
all the charges made were true, and all
the insinuations INDUCED in were founded
on truth there would not be 80 much &C.
casiOn for regret, but who can tell what
is true and what false2 Newspapers and
individuals who are influenced by incli-
nations or a sense of duty to champion
the cause Of either Gen. Gordon or Mai.
Bacon should endeayor to be moderate
and just. They are both Democrats, and
there is not 80 much necessity for getting
excited over the candidacy of either as
there is for giving the one who gets the
nomination an earnest support.