Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-10-24
More Light and Less. Heat,
a Need of Georgia Politics

THE Georgia Senatorial campaign which
ended at the polls last week was re-
markable for its comparative freedom
from bitterness and elimination. Spurts OF
anger there undeniably were and ripples OF
ill humor, which are inevitable; for the
and never will. But there was refreshing
absence Of that wormwood and gall of which
vehement partizans in days gone would bid
us drink as the one means Of pledging fealty
to convictions and to friends. There was
also a falling away Of once rigid fractional
lines. Shibboleth and Sibboleth were fire.
quently interchanged; and if swords were
not beaten into plowshares, at least many a
spear was softened to a pruning hook.
political Millennium in Georgia.? No,
no, no. Human nature is the same yester-
day and today, if not fLrever. We shall have
differences of judgment and tugs of war as
long as we have brains on top of backbones.
But need we therefore play the part of feud-
lists and bawling fi-hwives? There ought to
be issues, there ought to be controversies,
there ought to be parties and politics in ev-
cry commonwealth; for when these cease,
interest in government will be dead, and hui
man progress as g tale that is told But
what issues are of moment? What contro-
versies are worth while? What politics is of
concern to the general veal? Surely not
those that spring from brawls between lit
tie clans, nor those tina, turn Upon PERSONAL
ties, nor the politics that is game of self
seekers.
Yet from these rise most of the bitterness
in campaigns for public office. These
questions Of the hour as they ought to be
considered, not in prejudice and passion but
in reason and quiet conscience. Selfish in
terests, it is true, VIII not bear this sort of
treatment, nor self-seeking politicians in
vite this sort of scrutiny. But issues that are
worth deciding can be decided only thus,
and men who are worth trusting will well
come this plane of discussion Truth hath
quiet breast" candidate with ideas and
aims which he believes will serve the public
and if he lack these, there is no excuse
whatsoever for his asking office-has no
need Of resorting to theatrical thunder and
lightning, much less to vituperation and
mud. Moreover, he will meet real issues upon
their merits-not stink evasively around
them. And no stress of battle will find him
false to fairness or to truth. Such candi-
date will not always win votes but he will
always win respect; and his is the cause
which at last will triumph. Though he may
not attain, yet he will heartily seek to attain
to the spirit of that visest of Athenians who
said, ''The mere partizan, when he is engag-
ed in a dispute, cares nothing about the right
Of the question, but is eager only to convince
his hearers of his own assertions. I would
ask you to be thinking, not of Socrates, but
Of the truth. Agree with me if seem tt
yos to be speaking the truth; if not, with
stand me might and main, that I may not
deceive you as we'll as myself in my en-
thuS1aSm.>
4 When will Georgia politics be pitched upon
3 this level? Certainly as soon as the people
prizing frankness above flattery, distinguish
between demagogic c.aff and the good grair
: Of reason and right. When the electorate re
sents being treated as if it's capacity for In
terest and understanding were confined tt
dog fights and rummage sales, then will the
kind Of candidates whose own minds thus
measured, cease to cumber the earth. II
state and nation alike the problems demand
ing workmanly thought are SO numerous ant
SO urgent that there should be no quarter
for politicians ruled by prejudice, swayed b!
factionism, or bent upon cheap popularity
and self-inflation. TIC entrust these will
office, whether legislative, executive or judi