The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-24
THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.


Mr.. A. o. Bacon Gives Reasons for De-
Ginning Debate With L. F. Garrard.
LAGRANGE, Ca. June IA, 1s9t-Hon. A. o.
Bacon Macon, Ga: Dear Sir-Hon. Louis
f. Garrard Will address the cit
liens of Troup county on the political issues
Of the day the 3D. 4th and 9Th of July, at La
Grange, West Point and Hogansville re
spectively. His friends are DESTROYS and he
joins in the request, that you meet him in
Joint debate at the above named places on
above dates. Trusting that l may be hon
ored with an early and favorablereply, I am,
with high regard, F. NJ RIDLEY.
Macon, Ca, June 81, 1s94-Dr. F. M.
Ridley. LAGRANGE, Ga: My Dear
Sir-For a week past l have been
absent from home in the discharge of a
public duty. This must be my excuse for
the delay in my reply to yours of June
a. which arrived during my absence
from home, and which, for the first time,
have in hand to-day, and, to which |
reply, at this, the first possible oppor-
tunity.
In your letter you inform me that
Hon. L. F. Garrard will address the
citizens of Troup county on the political
issues of the day, July 3, and D, at
Lagrange, West Point, and Hogansville,
respectively" and that Ibis friends are
deslrous, and he joins in the request, that
you meet him in Joint debate at the bove-
named places on the above dates"
Although this invitation is limited to
three meetings in Troup county, | UNDER
stand, of course, that this is intended as
preliminary to joint discussion between
Us throughout the state, in which we
snail appear as opposing candidates OF
me Democratic party for election to the
United States Senate.
Constituting this TO be the real purpose
and S, Ope of the invitation, for the con-
slderatlon and courtesy of which beg to
thank both You and him, I respectfully
decline the same for many reasons, among
Which the following may be deemed suf-
hclent at this time:
AS democrats, recognizing our alleg-
lance as due by each of US to the party,
with the obligation TO do all within the
power OF either of US to promote its pros
perlty and success, it must be apparent
10 him, as well as to me and all other
good democrats, that the most command.
ing duty of the hour is to contribute all
within our power to insure the harmony
OF the party and to avoid everything, the
4 natural tendency and effect of which will
De TO create dissension and discord within
us ranks. A joint discussion between
democrats at this time, on the eve OF our
8 Joining issue in this state with the
q aayowed enemies and opponents of the
q Democratic party in Georgia, can but
WIDEN breaches within the party which
an true democrats must unite in the de
q sire TO close.
am entirely sure that both you and
mr.. Garrard viii agree with me that at
I9ls particular time, the paramount duty
u the hour is TO discourage discord and
q promote harmony within the party,
pom the great fundamental principles,
70 wit; those affecting the proper func-
llohs OF the general government and the
purity of its administration, those in
'olVlng the RICH of the states and their
s. lowers under the constitution, those re
latlng to the individual rights of the citi-
zen with the obligation of the government
70 lay upon him no burden and TO exact
rom MIN no duty except that necessary
1or the economical support and mainten-
"nce OF the GOV eminent, and those i'm
POSING the duty of the government to
Gspense its benefits equally TO all, and to
,ag JUS burdens unequally upon none-as
W Inese great fundamental principles
when constitute the pillars and bulwarks
" Ine government, there is no disagree
uehJ among democrats As 10 the details
which these principles can be best put
Ivy practical execution, there have been
Iu are, differences among democrats
N4l tuey are d ffeFenccs about which dem