The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1900-05-02
GAMBLERS TALK.
GEORGIA'S GOVERNOR OPENS ON
REPUBLICAN FANATICS.

lne war III tlle fiillippllleS Deiliy
Waged. From a Safe Distance, by
the Same Breed That Denied Self
Government in 1860.
Atlanta, April 26.-The observance
Of Memorial day in Atlanta was
made notable by speech delivered
by the Governor of Georgia in which
he scored Republican fanatics" and
criticised the war in the Philippines.
The speech was made at the pre-
sentation of crosses of honor to the
veterans and was loudly cheered.
You fought not 10 promote the
ambition of a crowned head, not for
conquest, not to force your govern
ment upon an unwilling people, but
for the God-given right Of local self
government.
"You rebelled against the domina-
ton of a sectional political party, led
by fanatics who did not and do not
believe in this cardinal doctrine and
who were the sworn enemies of you
and your interests and your institu-
tions. Blinded by fanaticism the
leaders of this party either could or
would not do you and your section
justice. You were maligned and
abused and reviled and slandered.
1T is a singular fact, as has been
Justly said by a distinguished Re-
publican senator a few years ago,
that the nothern conscience was
never quickened to a full realization
of the enormity of slavery until their
own slaves had been converted into
gold and the gold had found safe
lodgment deep down in their pockets.
"The southern people were goaded
into secession in spite of their love
for the constitution and the union.
"Perbaps both sides sinned as the
conflict grew fercer. Let the ques-
tion rest where the legend on the
beautiful badge you are to wear
places it. Dec vindice, let God
judge between US.
Il do not mean to diparage nor
impugn the motives OF the gallan.
men who confronted US on hundred
battle6elds, nor of the great mass of
the people Of the non-seceding
States.
Il am denouncing the fanatics who
presided at the birth of the Republi
can party, and nursed the bantling
into vigorous manhood and taught it
the doctrine of higher law and to
disregard the limitations of the con-
stitution, reverse the precedents of a
hundred years, and who, disregard
ing the golden rule, preached from
the pulpit the doctrine Of hate in
stead of peace On earth and 60 d
will to men
s'This breed of fanatics has not
run out. None Of them were ever
killed in battle, for they didn't 60
They are still in congress and in the
pulpit, and are preaching the same
unholy gospel. They still dominate
the party of Lincoln and Seward and
Chase, which denied to you in 1860
the blood bought right Of local self
government, and who are today wag
ing war Of orquest against ar
unofending people 10000 miles
away and denying to them the right:
for which Washington and Marion
and Sumter and the Lees fought on
the fields of Camden and Yorktown
and Cowpens and Kings Mountain
and for which you fought as no mer
have fought in two thousand years
at Manassas and Shiloh, Gettysburg
and Chickamauga. The same party
drunk with its ezcesses Of usurpa
ton, are in violation of the spirit o.
TIE constitution, holding q N ll;or
people on the island of Puerto Rico
in state Of Vassalage and taxing
them without representation, as they
held you and taxed yon in the day:
of reconstruction. It is healthy
sign, however, that some Of the
ablest and most patriotic men Of tai:
party are protesting against this
usurpation Of power and this aban
donment of the teachings Of th'
flthers and the traditions of the re
public"