The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-09-13
What Joint Debates Show.

hfCl cy illlIClllNtl ttik tl,iilGSo, IOl hhthV
perhaps as exhaustive an argument as
when lie has the field to himself, but Il
series of such discussions, fairly con-
Quoted, are more satisfactory to the peo-
pie than any number Of cut and dried
speeches on both sides.
The questions and answers, the prompt
exposures, denials, rejoinders, and the
friction of opposing intellects in joint
debate bring out all that is best and
worst in the speakers. The excitement OF
such an occasion and the spontaneous eX-
preston incident to it will cause q speaker
to exhibit himself III his true colors. Ii
he is not a gentleman, if he is dema-
gogue if he is Il quibbler he will uncon-
sciously beTay himself; and if he lacks
information or logic, some unexpected
question going to the very core OF the
matter will reveal his ignorance and
weakness.
In the good old times our greatest
statesmen of opposing parties met on the
stump, and their intellectual gladiator
ship is d brilliant chapter i'll our history.
In those times our leaders gave their
days and nights to the study Of the prob
lens Of their age, and equipped them
selves for the offensive and defensive cru
sades of Oratory which then enlivened
every political campaign. OF late the Gus
tom has been less general, but this year
it has been revived in Georgia, and the
results promise to be of signal benefit to
the people. Six weeks ago the third party
made eXtiayagant claims; now it is rapid
ly dWindling and is on the defensive At
tie opening of the campaign there was
Il good deal Of talk about Watson; now
Blacks name is on every lip.
We like the od-fashioned joint debate.
If Il man has anything il him he has a
chance to show il, and if he is only sound
ing brass his hearers will find him out.
1t may be said that certain heavy guns
are at a disadvantage in this active war
fare which requires such rapidly OF
thought and action, and that their disCom-
future causes them TO be moderated, al
though in Il high sphere Of public life
they would be men of great usefulness.
1t is all right Such men will find their
proper sphere, and they will be influential
i'll council while others will occupy the
field of debate. Intellectual force is never
wholly lost III our social and political SyS-
tenn. If a man discovers that he is not
able to hold his own in debate he should
keep out of it. There are men of wisdom
and learning who shape the destiny of
nations without ever making q speech.
No really great man will be destroyed
by going into a joint debate. People may
say that he is not an effective stump
speaker, but if he has good principles and
solid talents they viii be recognized and
respected.
Let the joint debates proceed.
The New York Tribune has shown by
figures-although it didn't go to do it--that
the millionaires of the country are rich
enough to buy all the real estate between
the Potomac river and the gulf.
An Unreasonable Antagonisn
The Abbeville S. c., Press and Banner
rcbukes the farmers Of that region for
the spirit of intolerance which they man
ifest towards city and country merchants
According TO our contemporary, although
hundreds Of debtors out III the country
have been unable to meet their obliga-
tons the town merchants have not
pressed them 10 the WALL but on the con
trary, they have carried" the farmers
year after year, sometimes at q great i'll
convenience.
The Augusta Chronicle comments on
these statements as follows:
What is true of Abbeville and the sur
rounding country is true in a great measure
throughout the section of country where the
doctrine of prejudice against the town is being
preached by the so-called reform politicians.
Having used the factors and merchants money
as long as possible under their runous policy
OF all cotton they now turn bitterly upon the
men who have year after year been their
bankers. There is no feeling of antagonsm
among city people against the country. They
are business men and realize that the city
is as dependent on the country as on the
city. This spirit of Intolerance which seems
SO popular III the country, and which every
couHtryman seems eager to nourish and pro-
mulgate among his neighbors has no echo
in the cities Here the farmers will find their
best friends In the future as in the past and
they should bear in mind the old adage:
Omitted we stand; divided we fall"
1t is to be hoped that there is very little
of this antagonism between town and
country in Georgia 1t is unreasonable.
The town merchants and the farmers ben-
eft each other. OF course each side looks
out for its own profit, but the facilities
enjoyed by the merchants enable them
to extend many Accommodations to their
customers, and as rule they are always
glad to do it within reasonable limits.
They charge reasonable interest, but when
people are compelled to use their credit
they should be willing TO pay interest, and
they can better afford to do it than to
go without supplies which they must
have Merchants try 10 get good seciIr-
ity, but they also let their goods go out
to many persons who are unable to give
any security, and in this way they lose a
good deal of money every year.
These two classes ought to appreciate
each other. Their interests are mutual,
and when politician tries to stir up