The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-28
REPEATED FROM MEMORY.
WAISTS RESOLUTIONS At FIRST
OVERLOOKED.


Portion Was Stricken, and They
We're Made 10 Accord simply With
the COnstitutIOn-Mai. MeIdrim
says That Is the Plank on Which
the Fight in Chatham County l.
Based.
Il appears the fact that the state demo-
cratic convention adopted resolutions
condemning unconstitutional associations
such as the A. p. A. was rather late in
coming out and the reason was perhaps.
because the resolution came up in such
shape that little Importance seemed to
be attached to it at the time.
The resolutions adopted on this line
were not embodied in the regular platform
adopted by the convention. but were act
ed on as separate resolutions. and there
seems to be some little difference Of
opinion concerning them. They were not
sent out by press until night before last.
and consequently not published until yes
terday morning. The resolutions, as
adopted by the convention and already
printed in the Morning News, are as fol-
lows:
Whereas. the constitution Of the Uni
ted States and the constitution Of Georgia
guarantee to every citizen the right Of
civil and religious liberty, and
Whereas, the democratic party, from
its inception at the formation of the gov
eminent, has been the exponent and de-
fender of political liberty and religious
freedom; be it, therefore,
Resolved, that the democratic party Of
Georgia, in convention assembled, renews
its obligations to the fundamental princi-
pies of civil and religious liberty and
hereby denounces and condemns as I'M
American and fundamentals any associa-
ton or organization, political or other
wise that is guilty of Illegal warfare and
wanton persecution of citizens on account
of religious faith, and that seeks 10 de-
prive them of the rights and privileges Of
American freemen.
I'VE further declare our devotion to the
inaienabe and constitutional right of
every American citizen to worship God ac-
c0rding TO the dictates of his conscience"
Maj. +. W. Meldrim, who went up TO
Macon with the mass meeting delegation,
said yesterday that these were the resolu-
tions adopted by the convention, and that
they were therefore made a part of the
platform Of the state democracy.
THE fight in this county" Maj. Meldrim
said, lis on that plank Of the platform. l
have no positive knowledge as to whose
resolutions they were, as was not in the
4
was, thai such resolutions were passed
by that body"
Hon. Pope Barrow, one of the delegates
from Chatham, said that such resolutions
were passed by the convention, but that
when passed they were not In the same
shape as when presented to the conven-
ton. He understood, he said, that some
changes were made in them in the COM
mittee on Platform and resolutions. He
said they were adopted as separate resOlu-
TONS and not as a part Of the regular
platform.
1t was learned from the different dele
gates, and others who attended the con-
Nenucn, that the original resolutions
were sent into the committee by Hon
Patrick Walsh of Richmond county
These original resolutions referred how
ever, directly to the American Protective
Association and used some other Ian
guage which the conservative members
Of the committee did not exactly fancy.
II IS understood MI. W. l.. Gignilliat
who was present as a delegate from Eff
nngham county, and who was also a
member Of the committee on platform and
resolutions, suggested some changes in the
resolutions as they originally appeared
before the committee. Among the changes
suggested was the striking out of the
name Of the American Protective Associa-
ton, and one or two other minor altera-
tons in the phraseology.
The committee was not opposed to re-
porting to the convention resolutions on
this line. II was favorable TO placing the
stamp of disapproval on anything con-
sidered un- American, and especially any
thing that sayored of religious intoler-
ance. These were the ideas of those who
considered the changes should be made
IN the original resolution. They consid-
cred that man could be a good demo-
crat and a Baptist, good democrat and
a Catholic, and that there was nothing
to interfere with his being a good demo-
crat no matter what sect or religion he
belonged 10, 80 long as he is not intoler-
ant OF other sects OF religions. Religious
tolerance is guaranteed by the constitu-
ton Of the United States and those in
terested IN the resolutions. say their in
tent was simply TO affirm those principles,
and 10 condemn religious intolerance
wherever il may be found.
When the report of the committee on
platform and resolutions was made by its
chairman, Col. }. ". Robertson, these res
oluuons were not read out with the
others. A member OF the committee ask
sd Col Robertson if he had not forgotten
something, and reminded him at the same
time Il these resolutions. He looked
among MS papers and not finding them
Stated that he had lost them somewhere
on the way from the committee room to
the convention hall
Hon. Patrick Walsh, the original mover
OF the resolutions, being on the platform.
WAS then asked to state them from MEM
orN. which he did, and they were taken
down and given above, the changes of
course being made IN accordance with
NHe acton OF inc committee. The resolu-
tioas were then adopted by the conven-
ton by rising vote
The A. p A. element was defeated in
Augusta and has been turned down i'm
several other sections where local cleo
tons have been held.
The Chatham delegates, those who vera
seated at the Macon convention. express
ca surprise at the anita. p. A. resolu-
tion published in the Morning News press
reports as having been adopted by the
convention. They stated positively that
no such resolution had been adopted
The only resolution az all resembling
anything Of the kind" said one of the
party yes terday, was a very brief reso-
mtion adopted towards the close of the
convention simply affirming the adher-
enca or the democratic party TO the con
sutuuonal principles Of civil and reli-
glous liberty. There was "A movement on
loot TO make fight on the American Pro-
tective Association before the convention
bul i was nipped in the bud Hon. pat
TICK. Walsh had agreed to lead the light
az mo instance of our friends Of the Liz
erai cub and Capt. +. p Howell of Al
Idhta vas 70 back him up on the supuosI-
ton that the Liberal Club delegation ren-
resented the silver wing of the Marty IN
ChatnAm county. We caught on 10 fi,is
l2oNemcnt early IN the game ana nror,e,,t
" dlsabused Capt. Howell's mind oF fba
lI1 preston TlNen him nv fhn