Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-08-09

to such an extent that in less than five
years the farms Of Georgia will double
in value and our state in its fixed pur-
pose will lead in agricultural wealth
as well as in other material development.
The negro Acknowledgement act took
from the vicious and purchasable negro
his opportunity of controlling elections
in Georgia, as a balance OF power in
all closely contested elections, and in So
counties-of the state, where he was num-
erically IN the majority, the negro is
dethroned as a voter and the white man
whose blood and brains made Georgia
great is now forever free to enjoy the
right to vote and govern without the
stigma Of equality at the polls.
Our pure election laws. IL we can
maintain them intact. not only eliminate
the negro. but guarantee to the poorest
citizens an equal opportunity with the
wealthiest. to become a candidate for
any office on merit, for no man can now
hold office in Georgia who secures his
election by Illegal use OF money.
las the originator and ardent friend
and supporter of these great reforms,
and many others of equal importance
and merit we are proud OF the opportun-
ity today to listen to a discussion bear
ing directly on the issue in the present
He is a friend alike to all, imbued
with the doctrine of equal rights for all
and special privileges for none yet bold
and brave enough to stand by labor, in
the right in spite of the power, prestige
and Influence Of wealth.
The man who has been tried and
measured up to the highest standard of
patriotism is not only worthy of trust
again, but indispensable when his stan
dard is threatened and assailed. Where
is the white man in Georgia, who by his
manual labor. by the sweat of his face,
struggles to live honestly. while he fills
the state with overlooking wealth, and
without whose toll every wheel would
stand still. and every industry cease, so
ungrateful rs to withhold its ballot from
the man who in the fierce conflict of
the strike on the Georgia railroad where
the issue was between white and negro
laborers not only declined to send sol
diers and bayonets, but demanded and
secured under trying circumstances, a
peaceable settlement under the civil au-
thority.
This was as II should have been. The
military power with the sword and the
bayonet should never under any circum-
stances stand between laborers and the
civil authorities when contests and dis
putes come. Every county and every
community should be left alone under the
machinery of the civil authority to set
tie disputes which must and will occa-
sionally arise.
A calm. conservative, dispassionate
discussion OF the issues OF the campaign
topped of with expressions of absolute
confidence in the result, Mr.. Smith
speech made decided impression on the
vast audience. AS in Atlanta last night
Mr.. Smith polled the crowd at the con-
clusion of his speech today and 80 per
cent of the audience rose in their seats
and cheered themselves hoarse when the
opportunity offered. The crowd was at
tentive and enthusiastic at all times, but
nothing moved II to greater enthusiasm
than did Mr. Smiths expressions Of con-
idence in the result of primary Elimin-
ating the Ifs and ands,'' ne voiced his
sincere conviction OF success on August
q, and the cheering nearly raised the
roof. There was only one noticeable in
terruption of Mr.. Smiths speech, and
this came when some enthusiast declared
that he wanted Brown and bread for
his"
To this exclamation Mr.. Smith replied
that his sympathy went out to any
Georgian whose aspirations don't arise
above Brown bread" The crowd en-
joyed the report immensely and the I'M
known voice was stilled for all time.
Concerning the demonstration. the po-
litical friends OF Governor Brown pro-
fess TO find consolation in the belief that
all OF the audience was for Hoke Smith
before he began speaking and that he
made no converts. Indeec, II was in
sisted by some OF them that the immense
crowd at the theater represented a big
piece Of Mr.. Smiths following in Floyd
county.
Among those who came over from Polk
county were the following: W. H. Ira
wick. lawyer and captain OF the military
company: John K. Davis, lawyer; ]. E.
Houseal, county school commissioner; T.
II. Adams. former county commissioner;
L. c. Morgan. railroad conductor; w. C..
Wright. railroad engineer; c. NJ Colbert.
farmer; VI. V. B. AXE, farmer; Joe Z.
Davis, merchant; L. H. Smith. merchant;
d. T. Greenwood, farmer; NJ. NJ. Cor
nslius merchant-farmer; DR.. = G.