The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-22

of War; and, being at a loss for material to fab
ricate into heinous offence against Democracy, is
content TO war against his iceaAness Where Gov.
CRAWFORD is well known, one would be apt to
smile at this newly discovered constituent of his
character. But at Washington, il seems that all
assertions exact an ephemeral belief until stripped
of their disguise by truth, eclirsed by some more
dazzling and therefore more potent falsehood As
a Georgian, and of course TO some extent interested
IN Georgia's representative in the Cabinet, take
the liberty of supplying the deficiency too evident
IN the Unions biographical knowledge We of the
"far South" have been too long accustomed 10 the
reluctant recognition accorded TO public men from
beyond the Savannah, TO regard with much surprise
the patronlzng tone of supercilious pity affected by
the Union But the time has long gone by since
Virginia distractions eneryaed the efforts of south
ern politicians, or the Virginia stamp was requisite
to give southern statesman currency throughout
the Union Accordingly, the croakingso of the Uaion
newspaper on the subject of the ,oeakress" of one
whom Georgia has "delghted to honor, are looked
upon here as the harmless bewildermens of ocio-
genarian garrulity The Union fails to reach the
object of its attack but its vndictve shaft finds its
mark in the bosoms of his own friends Gov
CRAwFoRD has been nobly sustained in Georgia by
a large portion of the rejecting and intelligent of
the Democratic party. To them perhaps he may
be in part indebted for the opportunities which have
rendered him so deservedly POPULAR they KNEW
him in the front rank among the eminent jursts Of
the State, capable to measure intellectual strength
with the proudest in our legislative hall, and second
to none in the frmness and the vigor with which
he administered the executive department of the
State. But having preferred to devote himself to
the service of his native State, stunning the re-
peated solicitations of his friends to transfer him
from the Legislature to Congress-, it may chance
that he is but little known to those whose sphere of
political vision is limited by Capitol square, and
who innocenty imagine their estimate of political
capacity the judgment of nation.
In 1887, Mr. CRAWFORD was elected "A member
Of the Legislature Of Georgia from the county of
Richmond; and was from that time repeatedly elect
ell every successive year until l542 with the excep-
ton of the year lS4l, when he was no candidate.
In 1910, the State of Georgia cast her vote by ma
joriy Of some 5000 for General Harrison, and re-
turned to the legislature a majority of about
twenty for the Wings. But, in lS4I, Col. Dawson.
the Wing candidate for Governor, was defeated by
about $500 majority and the Democrats, on Joint
ballot in the legislature, mustered a majority of
some SO votes. AT the session of the legislature
in 1912, they were still in the majority; but thew
were sorely embarrassed in discharging the liabil-
tiles incurred by the State account of her public
works The same difficulty beset the Wings, when
in majority at previous session; hut having boldly
met by increasing the taxes, they now found
themselves in minority. The thinking portion of
IL al IL A
ocrat, demanded that the taxes should be retained
at limit something above that assigned by the
Wing legislature of 1910. To do this was to fasifv
their promises pending the canvass. To reduce the
taxes to plunge still lower the sinking credit
of the State. The mere partisan at length tri-
umphed over the statesman; and Notwithstanding
the Governor locked the doors of the treasury ON
his refractory supporters, they refused to pass the
tax law, and u was lost AT this crisis while the
Wings seemed disposed TO stand aloof, and let the
Democrats wrggle themselves out Of the dilemma
as they best could, Mr.. CRAWFORD boldly threw
himself forward, and proclaimed it the duty of the
Wings, regardless of party considerations, to re-
deem the State from dscredit Noby did thew
respond to his call. The obnoxious tax bill of
1910, to reduce which the Democrats came into
law of the land. The credit Of the State was main
tained and Georgia redeemed from the disgrace
Of reputation. In January, ls43, Immediately
upon the adjournment of the Legislature, Mr.. CRAw-
FORD was elected to Congress by majority of
$500 over his Democratic competitor. The thought
ful, the prudent, the honest, and the sagacous of
the Democratic party had come to his support
Shortly after the close Of the session of Congress
he was nominated FOR Governor and elected by
majority Of some three thousand His career
while Governor was so satisfactory to the people
that he was reelected for a second term over the
strongest candidate his opponents could select. His
friends justly deemed this tribute to his skill and
success in the management Of the finances of the
State, for at that time the Democratic party were
undeniably in the majority in the State Under has
administration the public debt Of Georgia was re-
duced, the credit Of the State amply sustained and
wise and economical management Of the public
funds rigidy maintained and enforced
To every Georgian the name Of Crawford is
dOuhy dear. We remember 1t was once enrolled
among the proudest Of those who disputed the sue
cession 10 the chair Of w AsHrseroS-a name which
even the veteran editor Of the Union in his vigorous
prime, could not sufficiently load with his common
dation. We remember 1t, too, as borne by one
who with consummate skill and prudence, redeem
ed us from humiliation abroad and deep mortifca-
uon at home; and, IN whatsoever station his native
State demanded his services, discharged his duty
with an eye single TO her honor, and regardless Of
the selfish considerations Of party triumph We
feel confident that IN his sphere Of public duty
he will bear himself with the same "wisdom,r
"moderaiion," and "frmness, !" that characterized
his administration Of the government Of the State
GEORGIA.
MLLtpeEvLLE, August 10, ls49.
CUBA.