The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1898-03-28

Uard was planted on every hill top and
mountain in the glorious old ninth. which
had in the past SO often honored itself by
IGNORING Howell Cobb and James Jack
son, and Junius Hillyer and Ben Hill. In
dependentism was dead in Georgia, and
democracy was triumphant from Nicka-
jack to Tybee and from Rabun Gap to
Appalachicola. ] had the honor of deliver
ing the fatal blow. and never since has the
standard of enemy been planted on her
rampartS in Georgia
I did not ask the democratic nomination
for congress. 1t was forced on me when
moro aspiring men refused it. I led for
lorn hope when defeat seemed inevitable
from 4 sense of duty to my party when
old party leaders refused to make the sac
rifCc. Mr.. BcrnCr demands this nominal
ton a right: as Il reward for his party
services. He claims that he has in the past
worked necessarily for his party without
reward or the hope thereof Ajax thun-
dcred along the lines OF the opposing
hosts" and saved the party and got no re-
ward. Let us sec. From 1881 to 1880 he was
elected to the legislature and was a candi-
date Tor speaker Of the house. He was
not elected. but it was not his fault. He
asked for the place. and did his best to get
II. In 1892 he ran for congress, but was de-
fcated by Hon. n Il. Cabaniss. but 1T was
not his fault; he did his best to get ft-and
he did get It, during Mr.. CJcVeland's adj
ministration, while that gentleman was
taking care of the lame ducks. a sum va
riously estimated from $4,000 to $1,000
more money than Cabaniss got out of his
seat in congress. In 1896 he was elected to
the senate and subsequently president or
the senate for the services he rendered the
party that year. i would not pluck one
laurel from the shapely brow of Ajax,
but candor compells us to admit that he
has been pretty well paid for AL the ser
vices he has ever done the party, ana II
he has not, his modesty has never pre-
vented his asking ample reward
But, fellow citizens, | must beg your
pardon for this self-laudation. 1t has never
been my custom to blow my own horn,
nor to herald to the world my own eX-
plots; but sometimes it Is necessary 10
strike in self-dcfcnsc. and TINS Is one OIL
the times when il has been charged that
nv voice was silent in the land when
democracy was assaled. l was hEhths
the battles of democracy in the stormy
DAVIS of reconstruction when the gentleman
who makes this charge and is claiming lhl9
nomination as "a right because OF his party
services WAS in aWaddling bands. foushN
tire battles of democracy when II was Il
crime in Georgia to be 4 democrat, ana
when / had to go to my appointment armed
to the tee;'.. and yet | claim nothing Tor
il. 7 did but my duty. Democracy mas
never called when l did not respond,
and she never Will. For doing
NV duty | am entitled to no reward, neither
is the distinguished gentleman from Mon
roe.
Fellow citizens, here are your three can
didates and here are their records. Judge
YOU this day who is the best democrat, who
has been the most loyal and steadfast, who
has been most faithful to the interests OF
the people, and which can De most safe
ly trusted.
A Word About the Press.