Atlanta And Its Builders, Vol. 2 - A Comprehensive History Of The Gate City Of The South. Thomas H. Martin
The constitution of the United States makes ample provision for the freedom of speech, the power of the press, and the unalienable right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to counsel with each other on all matters of public concernment and national interest; and
"Whereas, The late war having left the state of Georgia in a most deplorable, disorganized and unsettled condition, we, therefore, as a portion of the people, have this day convened to express our anxious solicitude for a speedy restoration to our original status in the Union, and hopefully anticipate that the day is near at hand when the sim of our former prosperity and happiness will again shine upon us with undiminished and even increased splendor; when each one may sit under his own 'vine and fig tree, with none to molest him or make him afraid."
"Resolved. I. That whether we consider its height or depth, its length or breadth, the commencement of this war will ever mark an era of surprising national and individual prosperity. And it is equally true that in the winding up of the great drama we can but behold a widespread desolation and waste, sweeping over a once happy, contented and prosperous people. And for the truth of the position here assumed, and its vindication, we confidently rely upon that calm, deliberate and impartial judgment which posterity will write, after all the hates, injuries and prejudices, the natural result of relentless war, shall have passed away and be remembered no more.
"Resolved, 2. That we profoundly congratulate our people on the termination of the war, with its dire effects; that peace once more reigns, and is installed in all our borders.
"Resolved. 3. That in the appointment of a provisional governor for our state, we trust that we may recognize an important advance toward an early reconciliation, and the resumption of our former status in the system of states.
"Resolved, 4. That we most earnestly desire a speedy restoration of all political and national relations, the restoration of mutual confidence and friendship, the uninterrupted intercourse of trade and commerce with every section; in fine, to hold and occupy our old position in the list of states, the sovereign and sole conservators of an unbroken and imperishable Union.
"Resolved, 5. That we counsel a ready and willing obedience to the laws of our country, and with cheerfulness and patient industry the fulfillment of our mission.
"Resolved, 6. That in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln we gaze upon a deed horrible and horrifying. We hold it up to universal execration, earnestly trusting that not only the immediate perpetrators of the crime, so infamous and revolting, but that all remotely concerned, may receive condign punishment.
"Resolved, 7. That we have full confidence in the administration of Andrew Johnson, the president of the United States, and that in all the trying scenes engendered by this anomalous war, justice may be tempered with mercy, and we hereby tender to the president our firm attachment, fidelity and support, and that in all time to come, we shall be known, and only known, as one people, sharing one destiny, having one interest, one liberty, one constitution and one flag.
"Resolved, 8. That we heartily endorse and approve the appointment of Hon. James Johnson as the provisional governor of the state of Georgia, a sound lawyer, an able statesman, and an honest man, and trust that under his administration the state will soon be enabled to re-occupy its old and proud position in the Union."
The resolutions were adopted with practical unanimity, and upon motion it was decided to send a copy of the same to the president of the United States. Ex-Congressman L. J. Gartrell made a rousing speech, rejoicing in Georgia's return to the Union and counseling conservatism and a spirit of compromise on the part of his fellow citizens. He was followed by G. W. Adair and James L. Dunning, in like vein.
The federal appointments for the state of Georgia were received with a sense of satisfaction by most of the citizens of Atlanta. Hon. James Johnson, the provisional governor, was considered a safe and honorable man for that important office. John Erskine, the judge of the United States district court, James L. Dunning, United States marshal, and A. W. Stone, district attorney, had been citizens of Atlanta before the war and were well thought of, barring their political sentiments and affiliations. Mr. Dunning was one of the city's largest manufacturers, his roller mills being seized and operated by the Confederate government after the breaking out of hostilities between the sections.
The vote of the Atlanta precinct and Fulton county in the fall election of 1865 was as follows: Governor, C. J. Jenkins, Atlanta, 754, county. 840: congressmen, W. T. Wolford, Atlanta, 347, county, 396: J. P. Hambleton, Atlanta, 269, county, 284: H. G. Cole, Atlanta, 19; state senators, James F. Johnson, Atlanta, 418, county, 450; John Collier, Atlanta, 185; county, 228; representatives, T. W. J. Hill, 309; R. F. Maddox, 232; William Markham, 163: W. M. Butt, 134; A. Leyden, 119; T. S. Gillespie, 109; W. A. Wilson, 99; Y. A. Gaskill, 97; J. W. Price. 51. Hill and Maddox were the successful candidates.
Many citizens, of course, voluntarily refrained from taking part in the election, while many others were ineligible as the result of war disabilities imposed by congress. On the 30th of September, 1865, a mass meeting was held for the purpose of nominating Fulton county's delegates to the state convention, which was called to be held on October 25th. Dr. John G. Westmoreland was chairman of the meeting, and W. A. Shelby secretary. A synopsis of the resolutions adopted follows: 1. That the meeting approved of the policy of President Johnson for the restoration of the Southern States to the Union because of the broad, bold and wise statesmanship embraced therein. 2. Pledging themselves to sustain the president in his wise and righteous course. 3. Approving of the president's proclamation of amnesty, and taking upon themselves, in spirit and in truth, all the obligations imposed. 4. Promising for the delegates to be nominated at the meeting, should they be elected, to sustain the president's plan for the restoration of the South to the Union. 5. Expressing their opposition to negro suffrage. 6. Stating that they did not intend to deprive the freedman of the results of his labor, and that the late slaves of the South had the sympathy of all intelligent. Christian, moral Southern men. 7. Repudiating any and every effort to stir up strife among those who had differed upon questions which had produced the late war, and recommending a forgetfulness of the past. Judge Jared I. Whittaker, George W. Adair and N. J. Hammond were nominated by the meeting, with great enthusiasm, and after their nomination a resolution was adopted to send President Johnson a copy of the foregoing resolutions. The election resulted in the selection by the suffragists of the candidates nominated at this meeting, by the following vote: N. J. Hammond, 364; Jared L Whittaker, 339; George W. Adair. 362; William Markham, 185; C. P. Cassin, 25; scattering, 5.
After the surrender, and before the federal authority in the city had been established, the few inhabitants of Atlanta suffered considerably at the hands of impoverished and demoralized Confederate soldiers returning from the war. Of this species of depredation Wallace P. Reed says: "After the evacuation of Atlanta by Sherman's army, the condition of the city was deplorable, and the demoralization of the Confederate soldiers was extreme. Civil government was paralyzed, and persons and property were without protection. Neither the property of the state of Georgia nor that of the Confederate States government was safe in the city. Mules and horses, the stores of the quartermaster's and of the commissary department, though guarded by vigilant and brave officers, were carried away by men returning from the war — by men who could then see that the cause for which they had fought for years was in a hopeless condition, and who claimed that the property belonging to the Confederate government and to the State of Georgia belonged as much to them as to anyone, and they intended to have their share. Yet, notwithstanding their own losses and necessities, they were very liberal with the food upon which they seized: for they gave it away lavishly to the crowds of women that followed them about the streets. For two or three weeks before the city was taken possession of by Colonel Eggleston there was great distress among the citizens, and as a consequence of the distress, great disorder; and hence, when Colonel Eggleston arrived in the city and developed order out of chaos, all classes of citizens, although mortified beyond measure at the failure of their cause, yet they all gladly welcomed the soldiers of the United States army, and felt perfectly secure so long as they remained."
The Intelligencer came back to Atlanta after peace was declared and resumed its ancient prestige as the journalistic representative of the community. From one of the earliest postbellum files of this paper several facts relative to Atlanta