Savannah morning news., 1886-05-09
HOME NEWS ON THE WIRE
GEN. GORDON ANNOUNCES HIS
CANDIDACY.

A Request to Messrs. Bacon and Sim
mons that They Unite with Him in
Requesting the State Committee to
Recommend Primary Elections In
Choosing Delegates.
ATLANTA, May S.-The long-expected
announcement of the candidacy of Gen.
Gordon for Governor will appear to-
morrow. He will publish the following
address to the people of Georgia asking
their suffrage:
AT HOME,
DEKALB COUNTY, GA, May s, 1861
To the People Of Georgia:
After much reflection, have de-
cided to become a candidate for
the nomination by the Demo-
cratic party OF Georgia for the
office of Governor. This decision has not
been reached without sober thought and
full consideration. For many months
past personal add political friends have
urged me to become candidate. From
every section OF the State and from all
classes and former divisions in the
party these requests have come.
/ have hestated and waited because de-
sired TO know whether the wish was gene
raj with the people. OF this l cannot
longer entertain doubt. The evidences
which have resched me, particularly In
the last few weeks, OF the desire OF the
people have profoundly stirred my heart
and satisfied me of my duty. From dis
tant portions of the State and from my
immediate neighbors, some of whom have
known me in most intimate associations
from my boyhood up, these sollcita-
tiOns have come. This movement by
the people, so far as l am able to
Judge, is absolutely spontaneous.
have not written one letter upon the
subject except in answer to those which
have reached me, and ! have solicited the
aid Of no man, nor conVersed with any
who have not introduced the subject.
Now that / am a candidate, l trust that
none OF my fellOw-citizens OF Georgia will
misunderstood me. From the ungener-
Gus, unwarranted and utterly uRtruthful
criticisms which have heretofore been in
dulged In by certain parties in reference
to myself, l seek no Vindication at the
hands of the people. Ii tue life that
L have led for more than
half century before this
people, among whom l waS born and
raised, is not a sufficient answer to my
enemies, who are enemies without cause
or excuse, no reply from me would satisfy
them. If at any time of my life, If IN pri-
Vate or public station, in peace or in war,
l have ever deserved the confidence and
esteem OF this people deserve the same
now as surely and as completely. wish,
however, TO make known in this public
manner that shall visit and speak to as
many counties as poss BILE, and am ready
on all occasions to confront these enemies
before the people. Should the
people prefer either OF the
other able and honorable gentlemen
who are candidates for the office, | shall
support their choice most cheerfully. If,
however, the people should honor me as
4 Iii IL. To
them with an eye single to the best inter-
ests of Georgia.
j. B. GORDON.
Accompanying this announcement,
Gen. Gordon has furnished the NEWS
correspondent the following open letter
to Mai Bacon. A similar letter was ad-
dressed to Judge simmons:
DEKALB COUNTY, GA, May s, 1856,
Hon. d. 0. B0cOn, Macon, Ga:
DEAR SIR-Neither of US ought TO de-
sire. and certainly do not, to become the
candidate of the Democratic party OF
Georgia for Governor, except by the
Will of the Democratic people of Georgia,
know of but one way of ascertaining
infallibly that will, and that is by the
Democratic method Of placing votes ip
the ballot box.
The plan of calling together meetings at
the court house, appointing chairman,
who, In turn, appoints committee 10 Sc
lect delegates, may or may not represent
the will of the people.
Doubtless in many cases delegates thus
selected represent precisely the reverse Of
the popular will. l ask, therefore, that
you unite with me in a letter TO the
Executive Committee, soon to meet, re-
questing that committee to recommend
primary elections in this State in order
| that the will OF the people may be surely
ascertained. Very respectfully yours,
JNo. b. GORDON.