The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-03-01
From the Georgia Home Gazette.
George M'Duffic.

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In country like ours, with political and
social organization respecting neither birth nor
affluencc in the distribution of political favors,
incident connected with the early history and
character of great men, naturally excitcs degree
ofintcrst. Probably the early life of 10 man
connected with the curriculum of Southern
craftsmanship, presents more chequered scenes,
and arduous tolls III the way Of honorable pro-
motion, than that of George McDuffie. The
father of Mr. McDufie was u Tailor. Mr.. Nc
Dufte was born in Columbia county, Georgia
Rev. William P Steed of Warren county, and
is situated near Salem Church, a few miles from
Thompson on the Georgia Railroad. The house
in which he was born is made of hewed logs, and
is supposed to stand now in the yard, in front of
which is the remains of huge Oak, measuring
EIGHT feet and two inches in diameter: emblem
stical of the immense mental calibre Of the great
man in our caption, who haG often in his child
hood reclined under its widespread boughs-
The rarer Is of Mr. McDufle were Scotch-lrish,
originally or by descent. His mother was wo-
man of active mind, passionatcly 'ond of music,
and performed exceeuty upon the Violin. Mr..
McDufie had three sisters, all of them women
of fine capacity. One of them married Mr..
Reese, of Warren or Columbia county. The
ouv brother Mr.. McDufie had, died, it is believ-
ed, few years since in Muscogee county; where
he resided Where the father of Mr.. McDutlie
died we are not apprised. The remains Of his
mother repose near Maj Elias Wilson's in War
ren county, not many miles from where he WAS
born. Mr.. McDuffie was the youngest son OF
the family, and was born it is thought, III Au-
gust, 1890. The earliest days of his boyhood
were spent in roaming upon Sweet Water Creek,
near the family home, enjoying the spirits incl
dent to the times Ills schoolboy days were
devoted mostly to attending the school exercises
of Mr.. Greenwood or Greenwood, upon the
spot where Sweet Water Church now stands.
The last school Mr. McDutfie attended, was near
his old friend and scloolnlate, Major Wilson's,
Of Warren county The teacher was named
Haneman. This school was taught, it Is believ-
ed. in 1903 In 1904, if our informant Is not
in error. Mr.. Mcpufie was clerk in store at
Sw~o! Water MtilS, in Warren, where the Rev.
! Mr.. ltlanchar,l now resides. At the above place,
| it appears he 'i! not remain long, but through
TIL. influence Of Il Mr.. lIolo, he went to Angus
Ia, Georgia aud became a clerk in mercantile
alli<hment After his advent to Augusta,
we know nothing of Lis history; save his subse-
Gu"nt political acts, which are well known 10 al
most every Sou,herncr We learn from an old
and intelligent schoolmate Of Mr. McDufhe's, who
ol*o furnished us the preceding data, that Mr.
McDuffie WAS exceedingly popular at school, and
exhibited all those brilliant manifestations of
metal capacity, which distinguished lis carcc.
| in South Carolina in lS49 or so, at all events
not great while prior to his death, he came to
take "iuSt iook' at the place Of his birth. His
recollection WAS ndstinct, and he recognised but
few Of the landmarks of his "boylsh days," and
found but two Of his schoolmatcs alive the
late Mr.. Laug>ton and Major Elias Wilson. lie
spent the night with his friend, Maj. Wilson, but
his impairment of memory, ard his apparent ru-
minations upon the past, were of such charac
ter. that his visit was not celebrated at the tam-
~ hearth by the narration of school life sports
aud carly "reminiscences, but even had he been in
the full enjoyment and vigor Of all his powers of
mind and memory, he might, justly have ex-
claimed, II came to the place Of my birth and
SAID. the tiiends Of my youh, where are Mey:"
And echo answered, "phere"
A casual review of the early life of Mr.. Nc
Dufic i, rcll"ie with pleasant reflections, and
aIun'la",y -x"mp!iiies the beauty and justice Of
our governmental organization. Here is ali un-
known "pinry HToods' boy the son OF a Tailor,
without fortune and destitute Of anything like a
superior education, rising 10y dint of inaustry IN,
teqvitg and gtnius, from the humblest walks Of
lil", to position in the Republic, which any
man might envy, and no man can fail to respect.
Genius is like the volcanic eruption it cannot
be c>uplscsscd. 1t a rof no concern what
yarb it has on; it will demonstrate itself, at the
same tim" that it secures resprctabllltv, and Is
passport to Success distinction and honor With
the dclravcd hyp"crite, nothing but traduction
and self interest satiate his cravings or secure his
favor; but with the pure and just the emana-
tons of genius and the exhibitions of talent in
every department Of life, carry with them rcspec
liability in society, and secure public esteem.
MANSON.
Columbia county, Geo., Jan. 20, 1853.
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