The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-14

A Protest Against Atkinson.

Bailey, Ca, June 12.-Editor Morning
News: Knowing the loyal and conserva-
tive temper of your valuable paper, re-
quest the privilege OF asking the demo
Gratis of Georgia a few questions 20
they realize the evil that is being done in
Georgia by this personal campaign be-
tween MIR. Atkinson and Gen. Evans /?
What is it that disqualifes a man for the
governorShip who Is = member Of the
Methodist church or a preacher in that
churchi Why dld not the politicians call
out against MIR. Mcdaniel and Mr.
Northen that they were leaders in the
Baptist church, Or eX-Gov. Gordonas a
leader in the Presbyterian church2
Why is this unfair discrimination made
only where man happens TO be a Metho-
dist, as Colquitt and Evans} is it because
the Methodist church is so small that the
politicians ignore her influenced Or isit
because they know she is so catholic in
her spirit toward her sister churches that
1t will not do to appeal to her preiudices
IL this latter is the reason it is a sad re-
Election on the other Christian denomina-
tions who have been represented in
'governorship. VIII some of the ardent
politicians explain the Inconsistencies
of Mr.. Atkinson. When he rises up be-
fore an audience and asserts that Il have
not one word to say against that grand
old man, Gen. Evans" and yet before he
is done he is ridiculing his ife's work, or,
what is worse, he is ridiculing the very
principles of our religion; for hear him,
after he has reminded the old soldier of
the great things that he (Atkinsoul has
done: And what has the old giueral
done for the old vet3 He may have saved
a soul or two but what has he done for
his body since the ware Hear HIM
again as he dictates to the people
of Georgia the terms of re-
ward his (AtkinsOns) long sacrificial
eight years of well paid service as a
legislator deserves. ''The gineral is seek
ing his reward in another world, / want
mine in this" Mr.. Atkinson claims to be
statesman enough, broad and liberal
enough, to govern the whole people OF
Georgia, and yet he comes all down
through Wiregrass Georgia, and all out
through rural Georgia. and appeals to the
| pTeiudices of the South Georgia people
and of the country people against At
lanta in order 10 be governor. Will
! somebody arise and explain how
| much great craftsmanship there is
| in this! According to his argu.
ment, he nor Gen. Evans is entitled to be
| governor. Southeastern Georgia has
not had governor in thirty odd years
| CoWeta county is not far from Atlanta.
! Savannah alone can furnish a dozen men
of more brain than Mr.. Atkinson, not to
say anything Of dozens of other men in
South Georgia outside of Savannah
Does the Democratic party of Georgia
/ by its little court house mass meetings
expect to put this inconsistent, irreverent
Coweta statesman in the lead, and com
pei all her members to vote for him under
the lash of party loyalty! She will wake
up mistaken. A democrat T. have
been all my life, but L cannot sac
rifice my religious convictions as to what
is morally right to be an Atkinson demo
crat. And | am not alone. Many hun
dreds of people in Georgia will refuse tC
vote for Atkinson or Evans by reason Of
the bitterness which has been stirred W
during this bitter campaign Not only
have Gen. Evans religious principles
/ been ridiculed, and thereby incalculablt
harm done, but one of the nObest patri
otto sentiments that ever moved the south
ern heart of our young manhood has beer
violently slaughtered by those who would
| sheer at deserving honor for worthy
old veterans. L, like MIR. At
| kinson, can say the only reason
l was not in the war is, was not old
enough. But God forbid that should
ever get old enough not revere and honor
those true Ofd heroes of '6l-65 whenever
and wherever they are competent and
| presented to fill places of honor and trust
If Gen. Evans is not competent, down
with him and put up another wet. -
Georgia is not destitute Of these heroes
| There is Lester, Bradweu, Mercer W
w. Gordon, Mitchell, Turner, Blount
and host of others. Anybody but Mr.
7 Coweta STATESMAN for this
DEMoCRAT.