310 



GEORGIA. 



the dupes of unscrupulous partisans and de- 

 signing adventurers, we pity them ; as they are 

 ignorant, dependent, and helpless, it is our 

 purpose to protect them in the enjoyment ^of 

 all the rights of person and property to which 

 their freedom entitles them." 



The address closes with an appeal to the 

 Conservative men of Georgia, to "organize 

 for self-protection and ceaseless opposition to 

 the direful rule of negro supremacy which is 

 sought to be enforced on us and our children, 

 in defiance of the Constitution, and in con- 

 tempt of the civilization of the age and the 

 opinions of mankind;" and to their "fellow- 

 citizens of the North " not to " stand aloof and 

 calmly see us subjected to this damning wrong ; 

 and that, too, when it will imperil the Republic 

 and spread baleful disaster over every interest." 



The State Central Committee of the Con- 

 servative party met at Macon, on the 13th of 

 February, and adopted the title of " The Cen- 

 tral Executive Committee of the National 

 Democratic Party of Georgia;" and recom- 

 mended to all clubs and organizations through- 

 out the State, which had been formed for the 

 support of Conservative principles, to array 

 themselves under the banners of the National 

 Democratic party. Among the reasons given 

 for this action were these, that that was " the 

 only party at the North which maintains the 

 Constitution of the United States as made and 

 construed by the fathers and the Union of the 

 States thereunder;" and that "close coopera- 

 tion with that party is demanded by the in- 

 stinct of self-preservation, the first law of na- 

 ture, as the only rational mode of escape from 

 the iron rule of military despotism, to be 

 followed by the more humiliating condition of 

 negro supremacy." The committee expresses 

 its approval of the " fearless stand taken by 

 Andrew Johnson for the rights of the whole 

 people and the Constitution of our country," 

 but gives no advice to the people with regard 

 to their action on the constitution then being 

 framed at Atlanta. A month later, however, 

 on the 13th of March, the committee met again 

 and adopted the following resolution : 



Resolved, That the opinions and feelings of the 

 National Democratic party of Georgia and of the 

 United States, upon the unconstitutionality and in- 

 justice > of the reconstruction acts of Congress, are 

 too decided and well known to require reiteration 

 here. Their opposition to the action of the several 

 conventions called in pursuance of those acts, and to 

 the effort to establish the supremacy of the negro 

 race in^the South, and to place the destinies of these 

 States in the hands of adventurers and irresponsible 

 persons, is equally decided and well known. Yet, 

 warned by the fate of Alabama, and actuated by the 

 instinct of self-preservation, we feel it to be our duty, 

 to the extent of our power, to provide against every 

 contingency, and therefore would urge upon our 

 friends to participate in the elections which are to 

 be held on the 20th April, proximo, to the end that 

 the best and wisest men permanently identified 

 with Georgia, and who will administer her govern- 

 ment in the interests of the people, and not for the 

 purposes ol plunder he chosen to organize the 

 government and frame the laws under which we and 

 our posterity may have to live. 



They recommended an active canvass for 

 the coming election, and put Augustus Reese 

 in nomination for the office of Governor; 

 delegates were also appointed to the Na- 

 tional Democratic Convention which was 

 to meet at New York on the 4th of July. 

 Judge Reese declined to be the candidate for 

 Governor, and Judge Irwin's name was sub- 

 stituted ; but that gentleman having taken an 

 oath to support the Constitution of the United 

 States, and afterward voted as a member of 

 the electoral college of Georgia for Jefferson 

 Davis as President of the Southern Confed- 

 eracy, General Meade informed the committee 

 that he was ineligible under the reconstruction 

 acts, and could not be installed in office if he 

 received a majority of the votes cast. Judge 

 Irwin accordingly withdrew his name, and 

 John B. Gordon was recommended to the 

 voters of the party, by the committee, for 

 Governor of the State. Mr. Gordon had been 

 a major-general in the army of the Confederate 

 States, and had received no pardon ; but, hav- 

 ing never held any office before the war for 

 which he was required to swear to support 

 the Constitution of the United States, he was 

 pronounced eligible by General Meade. 



The following orders issued by General 

 Meade have direct reference to the approach- 

 ing election : 



General Orders, No. 54. 



HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, 1 



DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA, ALABAMA, AND FLORIDA, > 



ATLANTA, GA., April V, 1868. \ 



The officer commanding sub-District of Georgia 

 will proceed to distribute the troops under his com- 

 mand in such manner as will, in nis judgment, best 

 subserve the purpose of preserving order during the 

 coming election. 



The Quartermaster's Department will furnish the 

 necessary transportation, and the troops sent to sta- 

 tions not now occupied will be furnished with camp 

 equipage, in all cases where satisfactory information 

 has not been obtained, before their departure, that 

 suitable quarters can be procured. 



By order of Major-General MEADE. 



S. F. BARSTOW, Acting Assistant Adj't-General. 



General Orders, No. 56. 



HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, ) 



DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA, ALABAMA, AND FLORIDA, >- 



ATLANTA, GA., April 9, 1868. ) 



That fairness and impartiality may be secured in 



the coming elections in Georgia and Florida, It is 



1. That the ballot-boxes shall not be opened, or the 

 votes counted, nor shall any information be given of 

 the progress of the election, till the polls are finally 

 closed. 



2. The polls being finally closed, the board of 

 managers shall select two men of character and 

 standing from the opposite party, who shall be per- 

 mitted to be present at the opening of the ballot- 

 boxes and the counting of the ballots, so as to wit- 

 ness and verify such counting. 



By order of Major-General MEADE. 

 S. F. BARSTOW, Acting Assistant Adj't-General. 



General Orders, No. 57. 



HEADQUARTERS THIRD MILITARY DISTRICT, | 

 DEPARTMENT OF GEORGIA, ALABAMA. AND FLORIDA, > 

 ATLANTA, GA., April 10, 1868. ) 

 1. The numerous resignations of sheriffs of coun- 

 ties in the State of Georgia that have recently been 



