The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-11-14
GORDON'S GREAT SPEECH
AN INAUGURAL DEVOTED TO THE
POLITICAL SITUATION.


Become, Rather Than What She Was
and What Might Have Been - The
Renublican Regime Not Faced with
Fear.
ATLANTA. GA, Nov. 13.-In the joint
session OF the legislature to-day, the hour of
noon having arrived, the Inauguration of
f7overnor- Elect John B. Gordon took place.
The governor entered accompanied by
Chief Justice Bleckley, the state house
officers and the members of the city coun-
Gil of Atlanta The galleries were packed,
and every foot of available space on the
floor was occupied, many ladies being pres
emit. The wife of the governor and Mrs.
W. w. Gordon of Savannah sat together in
tbe hall. As soon as the governor took a
nosition on the speakers stand, at the side
Of the presiding officer, President duBIgnon
said:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND House OF
REpRFsENTATTvEs-It is with feelings OF pride
that Introduce to you the governor elect, John
b. Gordon.
GOV. GoRDoN'S SPEECH.
The governor then spoke as follows:
GENTLEMEN OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. La
DIES AND FELL ow- CONFERENCE.-The two years
ago stood before you in this capacity. l en-
deavored to direct attention TO the relative I'M
ocrtance Of the state government in successful
Administration to our federal system To-day
II is nv purpose 20 discuss briefly the duties
and responsibilities of the one state TO which
we owe most unselfish and faithful service.
rropose to consider what Georgia is and may
become rather than what she was or might
have been. Her past belongs to history,
her future to her people, and to
ms and those who after us shall at their COM
Ynand make and administer her laws. and shape
the policies that shall develop her resources and
decide her destiny.
DEMocRAcy's DEFEAT.
The temporary defeat of a great political
marty and policies, for the success of which we
have so earnestly labored auEments the gravity
Of the responsibilities devolving upon this gen
eral assembly. That your actions and utter
snces will be characterized by wisdom,
Justice and Moderation" emblazoned upon
Georgia's shield and that the courage, patience
and fortitude of her people WILL in the future
as in the past, be found equal TO any ordeal
through which they may be called to pass, do
not for one moment doubt.
STATE DEVELOPMENT URGED.
without abating in any degree our interest in
national affairs. let redouble our energies for
the full development of the natural resources
with which this state is so richly endowed No
higher inspiration was ever vouchsafed TO any
ueop!e than is afforded by your marvellous ma
ferial progress since you regained possession OF
your state government. You have re-estab-
iished your railroad systems and added 2i2 per
cent of mileage. You have iuaugurated new
in cotton manufactures. ana lnCredNou your
productions in the fabrics Of your great staple
bv 1913 per centum. You have reVolutlonized
the iron industry of the continent, and found
market for your products in the iron metropolis
OF Pennsylvania.
DESERTED HOMES REPEoPLED.
you have repeopled your deserted homes, re-
stored your wasted plantations, rebuilt your
burnt cities and literally created new, great
and prosperous country within less than quar-
fer of a century. All this amazing progress has
been achieved in the face of financial embarass
1uents and peculiar difficulties greater and more
discouIaging than ever before confronted and
,ohstr1Icted suy civilized people. Both state and
national statistics are impartial and unimpeach-
able witnesses of the wealth producing capaci
ties of our unrivaled resources, and of the
health securing virtues of our unequaled
climate. while the catholic temper and pro-
verbal hospitality of our people conspres with
our God given natural advantages In presenting
snducen,euts to our northern countrvmen which
can be offered by no other section OF this great
country.
pIxIE's POLITICAL FUTURE.
But the question that is weighing upon the
mind and heart of the people is this What is to
be the political future of this and of her sister
southern states? The responsibility of the
states for the character of the federal admins
tration is greater than the average voter is
prone to admit and the responsibility of each
Individual. state. like that of the individual
citizen. is in proportion to the prominence and
apDroaeh to leadership. Georgia could not,
Therefore, if she would. rid herself of the grave
responsibility which attaches to the position
which she has achieved and which is so freely
accorded her as one of the conspicuous states
of the American union,
NO RESTRICTION JUsTIFIABLE.
will not undertake to predict the policy that
will be pursued toward the south when the
triumphant party shall have gathered into its
hands all the powers of the legislative and ex-
ecutive departments of the government, but
neither her duty to the general government nor
the reciprocal rights of her people under it,
can Justly be abridged by any changes in the
federal administration. In this connection my
sense of obligation to this conhding and patri-
otto people coInpels me TO declare my profound
conviction that no overwhelming crushing
calamity will, or can, befall them.
NOT LASTING HERITAGE.
cannot believe that alienation and strife is
TO be a lasting heritage from unhappy
war. notwithstanding the melancholy fact that
some of the leaders of the successful party with
great abilities and in high places seek year by
year to estrange the sections and embroil the
racss. ] 10 not believe that the return of the
Republican party to power in this era of pros
perity and peace means or can mean, the en-
actment of force bills and the enslavement of
the states. In this American republic the
reigning political party proposes but the SOY
erelgn people disposes, Passion may cry aloud
for federal Intervention in the affairs of the
states, but the omnipotent fiat Of lofty patriot
ism which sways the hearts of the American
people will surely condemn it.
EQUALITY OF THE STATES
If there be one principle of government
dfarer than all others TO American fre6men, II
Is the independence. equality and freedom OF
the states. This is the central IN ought of our
political faith. Ii is the keystone in the arch OF
our constitution and when that is destroyed,
the doom of constitutional freedom is sealed
When the Independence and equality of tn,
states are struck down the republic falls oh
no. the strangulation of the states by fedora
Intervention will never be tolerated by the
American people What possible excuse coulC
be given for interference by the general gov
ernment in the affaifs of Georgia that woulC
not also Justify interference with any state Ii
1le Union.
NO ovERsHADowING LOCAL EVIL.
What evil exists here that does not exist else
where and which is so full of danger that L
correct it fundamental law must be ignored
and statehood imperiled? with the colore
race of Georgia represented on her tax book
f,y its millions of accumulated wealth; wit
10000 colored children in our public schools
a. ainst G. 600 prior TO our recovery OF the stat
government: with equal laws administered b
Impartial courts for the protection of all: wit
the ballot in coored hands, and its full use 81
el1red to them whenever and whereve
they NAV choose TO WELD its power with tl
race problem gradually working out unde
providence, it's own solution; with the relation
OF the races becoming more and more amicablt
with the interests of both races assimilatin
aud improving steadily and rapidly; wins
III stification or possible pretext, ] repea
could be found Tor punging the common
wealth with her sister southern states agai
S,t fha ahvSg from "a hiCh DnOnla have s