Year: 1869

Argument Of Georgia Legislator in Favor


Of the Fifteenth MISUNDERSTANDING Re-


view OF Governor Bull0ck,s Policy.


ATLANTA, March rs, 1869.


The following is q synopsis Of an argument by one
OF the ablest jursts OF the South whose character
and sincerity are without repr0ach. He Is q member
OF the Georgia Legislature, republican and de-
termined supporter OF Grants administration. It
will appear in to-morrow's NeD Era. He says:-


consider the fifteenth amendment a republican
measure 1t was proposed by republican Congress
and warmly urged by President Grant-a republican
solution Of the remanng ouesons Uraing ene aut 81
the reconstruction policy OF Congress- and is right
In itself. 1t settles the suffrage question upon an
equal and just basis and makes It uniform all over
the Union. Entertaining these views, consider it
the. duty Of every true republican to support
bers OF the Legislature to take hold Of it
with energy as republican measure and invite the
measure. Many OF them were ready in honest good good
faith to have done so. This would have been the
first step to harmony and good understanding be-
cracy which is willing to give General Grant a fair
trial and support his administration II wise and lbe-
raj, all are now satisfied it will be-; but
to my astonishment and regret I soon found
this was not the line OF State administration Gov
ernor BullocK wiInneia Tue amendment from the
ing too much sensation. Finally, when he could not
hold 1t longer without untrutnful reply to the de-
mands OF the two houses. he sent 1t, accompanied
by message recommending its adoption. The mes
sage characteristic document In the line OF his
own idea, and was clothed in such language and
filled with such expressions as might rcasona-
bly, be expected to drive the democrats from
negroes from the House He tainted them with
his construction Of the amendment, which he said
would, II adopted give the negroes right
this was the surest way TO drive them from
the support OF the amendment He was ut
terly opposed to Its adoption while recon
mending 1t publicly to satisfy the authorities
at Washington, and did everything possible by him.
ment was introduced into the House by plain and
simple resolution OF adoption IL was adopted by AZ
democrats for and ~ against but few republicans
cans dodglng or refusing TO vote. In the Senate
Mr.. Conley, bosom friend OF Governor Bullock
postpone it INDEFINITELY The next morning
It was brought up and ruled out or order by lne
President Of the Senate, but on appeal from the
decision OF the Chair final vote was taken-two-
thirds OF the republicans voting against the adoption
or absenting themselves. During the discussion.
men holding the highest appointments In Governor
Bullock's gif and known to be his line OF policy,
active in lobbying upon the floor, eectioneer-
1t would defeat Governor Bullock's policy at
Washington; and urging that Congress had not
sSasa ouTteenh a%snamen and 'atfs they would QUIZ nos
trust Congress further, Governor Bullock played
double game, recommending Its adoption privately,
and opposing 1t with all his power and patronage or
1t would have been adopted by twothrds OF both
branches. An impression Is attempted TO be made
on the present members Of the Cabinet and Congress
it is the honest view OF the democrats that the
North intends TO adopt the fifteenth amendment,
time to settle the whole question. II is
q republican measure, and the republicans have no
excuse for voting against 1t. The whole question Is
that few dissatisfied radicals want things In their
hands, and look with great interest to the Gov
ernor's trip TO washington with Attorney General
Grant do as they please, and thus shatter the frame
work Of reconstruction, peace aud harmony. Thou
sands now support the generous policy OF Grant
who were heretofore opposed to him, and they con-
slider the reopenng OF the question the greatest mis-
fortune that can befall Georgia.