Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-29

Continued from Page Four.

differentiate between the law and the
magistrate that administers the law.
Respect for the magistrate begets re-
spect for the law; contempt of the magis-
trate engenders contempt for the law
and from this fertile source springs law
lessness and anarchy. hate lawlessness
and anarchy like / hate perfidy, treason
and hell
If public servants be corrupt-if they re-
gard not their oaths OF office-if they SUBJ
vert the law, and trample with unhallow-
ed feet upon the rights of the people-then
they deserve and should receive the just
condemnation of all good men-ahd should
be visited with the punishment fixed by
law.
have been true to the trusts reposed-if
they have been diligent in protecting the
interests of the people--if they have con-
formed to the law, and by precept and ex-
ample have taught respect for the law
then they deserve the rewards Of the
faithful, and do not deserve to have their
good names besmirched by false charges,
even though these charges be preferred
by preacher.
1 believe It to be mean cowardly, and
contemplate to charge by Implication and
inuendo that which you are unwilling
to charge in direct terms, giving specih-
cations.
LnOTOuBnly DGllcN6 gam jules anu ONA-
ers to be attempting to bring the law and
the magistrate into disrepute and con-
tempt by a campaign OF abuse and villifi-
cation. Among many other reasons for
this opinion mention the attacks made
upon the general assembly, the supreme
court, the railroad commission, the prison
commission and the attorneys general, liv-
ing and dead.
He boasts of his integrity and virtue,
and claims a monopoly of all good graces.
This fact alone ought to be sufficient to
damn him, for when a man makes
proclamation Of his honesty, all sensible
people know that he win bear close watch
ing.
My motives may be questioned: so be it,
Time alone can demonstrate whether my
criticism of San Jones be founded upon
personal spite, selhshness. or other i'm
proper motive. or whether my position is
inspired by a desire to see law and order
and good government prevail in Georgia.
But for the present let's do something to
show the good or bad faith that animates
us. To this end make this propositions:
Furnish me with evidence upon which any
honest grand jury would be authorized to
find an indictment against any one or
more Of the public officials belonging to
the classes who have been maligned, or
against any bribe-giver or bribe-taker, or
lobbyist-or evidence that would authorize
an impeachment, and at my own expense
and risk, assuming sole responsibility be-
fore the proper tribunal, first having CIV
en- bond with solvent security that the
prosecution shall be vigorous and thor
ough and shall not be a sham, will pros
ecute the person designated to the fullest
extent of the law.
But If you cannot and will not name the
man. or men, who are guilty of corruption
or malpractice in office, then the people
will await to see whether you have the
firmness and courage to admit that you
have been misinformed, or that you have
wilfully and Intentionally misrepresented
honest officials for partisan purposes.
Now, do not come back at me with lot
of stuff about your three-year-old grand
child. The little one Is too innocent to be
thus subjected to,vulgar humor, or used as
a shield for parental buster. Respectfully,
J. d. FITZPATRICK.
Decatur, Ga, May 90 1902.