Year: 1867

The mass meeting held at Augusta |
on the l4th of April, and the notes that
have been made by the correspondents
of the public press, indicate that Georgia
is preparing to take firm stand on the
basis of the military bill in favor of an
early and intelligent reorganization Of
the government OF that State. 1t is evil
dent from the recent information receiv
ed and which is fully confirmed by the
proceedings of the large and enthusiastic
convention composed of nearly three
thousand citizens, that change has
taken place within few weeks, in the
sentiment and conduct of the re-
belious spirits in that State, and the
new plan is effectually doing its work,
notwithstanding few small politicians
are blatant towards the Northern peo-
ple and still threaten treason. The most
intelligent portion and the mass Of peo-
ple accept the terms prescribed for them,
having become fully impressed with The
necessity of early restoration in order to
save themselves from greater evils than
they now endure,


The resolutions Of the Augusta meet
ing express the feeling of a great por-
ton Of the loyal people, recognizing the
war as caused by partial laws which
were sought to be sustained by one
party, and by the other their abolition
was accomplished, claiming all equal
before the law, and believing that the
Union party is the exponent of this law,
and that the loyal citizens should give
united and continued support TO the
party which has thus saved the life of
the nation, aud that no distraction should
be made in the exercise Of political rights
or privileges on account of race or color,
with equal privileges to acquire and
hold property, and the people to be liza
BILE to taxation only in proportion to
their property Claiming also, that the
elective franchise includes the right of
juror, and that corporal punishment is
s relic OF barbarism. The resolutions
~ ANA NACA lA hAANiA ga PAN0Cb0hS VI 10y oAb1
than any that have heretofore been pre-.
sented to the Southern people, express
ing the sentiment that those soldiers
who were engaged in suppressing the
rebellion, aud their widows and orphans,
are entitled to the nations care, pro-
lection and gratitude, and in favor of
The payment Of the national debt and
the reputation of the rebel debt They
emphatiCally express the opinion that
labor is the basis of human happiness,
and that the chief object Of legislation
should be to protect it in its rights, and
honor its high calling, and that free
schools and churches are the guardians
Of civil and religious liberty, and should
be established in every precinct in the
nation. In this platform of principles
we dnd evidences of returning reason
and loyalty based upon the principles
Of equal rights and free government.
n One of the most significant events
connected with the convention was the
i presence and speech of ex-Gov. Herschel
Il V. Johnson, United States Senator elect,
and the candidate on the ticket with
a Stephen A. Douglas for the Vice Presi-
dency, in 1880. His remarks, although
in many respects conservative in their
tone, yet give utterance to sentiments
which speak volumes in behalf of the
changed feelings Of the people of Georgia,
since the passage of the Sherman bill.
He presents his points of disagreement
and those which met his approval, with
extreme candor and frankness, and when
we see q man Of high standing and
character utteripg such sentiments in a
public assemblage, composed Of all
q classes, although he dissents very ma
terially from important positions, we
have full faith that new era has dawn
I'd In the waste places that have so long
refused that cultivation which will lead
them in the path Of prosperity and po-
litical freedom.


While the speech of Mr.. Johnson OF
Georgia. and prominent men in Other
sections of the South, are evidences o.
an advance of public sentiment, there is
much of the old States rights feeling
cropping out in them still, seeming tC
be unable to eradicate all their old
notions, yet endeavoriug to accommodate
themselves to the changes and the new
order of things. They should rid them
selves Of these sentiments which lurk il
their opinions, and both white and blacl
unite, for their interests are the same
TO get restored to full and equal politica
rights in the Union, and enter upon
new political career in accordance wit
the revelation that has taken place, an
the new issues that are prescribed 70
solution by the people of the Who'll
country.


Washington Items.