Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-02
Decreasing Interestinthe Campaign

Decreasing Interest in the Campaign
There is not as much interest apparent
ly in the GordoB-BacOn campaign SIS
there was a week OF two ago. ISLANDERS
and personalities are not so conspicuous
feature of the campaign speeches and
publications as they were. The impress
sion appears TO nave got abroad that the
counties which select delegates on satur-
day, July 5. will about settle the question
of The Gubernatorial nomination. This
impression is, in all probability, correct.
The result OF Saturdays primaries and
mass meetings Will be a surprise II IL
docs not indicate who, Of the Gubernato-
rial candidates, will have a majority o!
the delegates to the convention.
The people are doubtless glad that this
remarkable campaign is rapidly nearing
its end. Whatever the outcome of it may
be, it is certain, as far as can be Judged
from the present condition OF affairs, that
IL has been hurtful to the party. 1t is
hardly probable that the meeting Of the
convention will be followed Immediately
Ivy return of the feeling Of harmony
that existed in the ranks of the party be-
fore the Gordon Bacon campaign was
lnaueulated There is no doubt, how
ever, that the nominee OF the convention
will be the next Governor, and wise and
conservative administration will cause
the feeling OF bitterness which at present
exists to largely disappear.
One OF the lessons to be drawn from the
present contests is that it is worse than folly
to attempt TO blacken the character of a
candidate, or TO belittle him in any way,
unless there is indisputable evidence that
is man of bad character and wholly
! unfit for the position to which he aspires
CHARGES based upon differences, how
ever strong those interences may be, are
! treated as SANDERS, and when the people
/ believe that a candidate Is being slam
| dered they are very apt to give him a
more earnest support than they would if
/ he appealed to them for assistance on his
| merits alone.
! The MORNING NEWS has not published
the charges which have been made against
either Gen. Gordon or Maj. Bacon, be-
cause it is not certain that they are true,
and no greater mistake can be made than
TO teach the people that can
ddate is sc0undrel unless he
is one. If he is a scOundrel it is generally
possible to secure evidence Of the fact.
! If a candidate is chosen, notwithstanding
the charges against him, it is evident than
the majority OF the people lack confidence
III those who make the charges.
The minority, however, is weighted with
I 4k a.,Yr h,A .,.,t bn.
been placed n a responsible public posi-
ton, and it may exert itself to prevent
him from doing what good it is in his
power to do.
The MORNING NEWS has advised the
selection Of a candidate other than 6 en-.
Gordon or Maj. Bacon, not because OF the
charges that have been made against
them, but because, for one reason, they
must have so bound themselves by pledges
and promises to those who are their main
assistants in their campaign work thai
neither of them, in the event of becomins
Governor, would be wholly free to do
what would be best for the people. IL
settling campaign debts, such as must be
incurred in a campaign like this, the
States interests will likely be a second
airy consideration.
II either Gen. Gordon or Maj. Bacon
however, is nominated he will nave thu
support of the MORNING NEWS. Th'
MORNING NEWS has done its duty in
pointing out the objections to both of them
and il either of them is nominated the
party takes the responsibility OF over
ruling its objections. 1t is certain tina
either of them, il elected, will do his
utmost to serve the people so far as h,
can without violating campaign pledges