The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-06
Governors OF Georgia, elected at the times stated


VIII
c,orve walton. 1889 Gsorse NJ Tour. 1873
n mas J.ctsos 1913 John Forsyth .... 1877.
Josiah TatDsl. 1901 Wilson Lompkin. 1881
John Niledge 1902 Hsrschrl v. Johnson. 1853
Georgia, having by State Convention assembled
at Augusta, with great un.nimity adopted the con.
situton Of the United States the I'd January 1885,
became early guished for its uniform adherence
to the oldrepublican party organzedby Jefferson and
Madison. The two sgners Of the constitution in the
convention at Philadelphia, William Few and Abra-
ham Baldwin, were elected to represent the State
in the first pgress-the former in the Senate, and
the latter in the House of Representatives. but they
we're both considered republicans, and generally CD
operated with the antifederasts il opposing Wash
ipgtons administration. Some of the measures Of
Washington ana Hamilton, however, received the
support Of the Georgia Senator'S Bat the State
never sent federalist to either branch of Congress-
under the old organization of ps,tes nor are we
aware that the federal party had any definite ex-
is.erce in Georgia, as in South Carolina, where that
party was some times predominant.
The population of Georgia has always been
mainly Apglo-Saxon, from its settlement as q colo
ny to the present time. There have been, it is
true, some exceptions in the Highland and Lowland
Scotch colonists; but Georgia has always been con-
sidered decided Anglo Saxon community, as may
be seen by the names of her Senators and Repre-
senta.ves in Congress- nearly all Of whom show
their Anglo Saxon or Scotch origin.
1t is worthy OF remark that the largest proportion
Of the people OF Georgia have, from cary times,
been brought up in or connected with the Methodist
Church, the predominant religious sect in that
State This fact is doubtless to be attributed to the
missions Of Wesley and Whitfield In the infancy OF
the colony, who then planted the seed of Methodism
o soil peculiarly favorable to its growth Hence
Georgia has been al Ways the favorite camping and
stamping ground OF the Methodists q sect remarka-
bly, favorable to the old democracy but more dubious
in the Modern division OF political parties.
We are eneb ed to give brief biographical sketches
Of tbe most prominent Of the foregoing list OF Sena
tors, witn the political lives of whom we are gene
rally quite familiar particularly with such as
Few Baldwin, Troup, Crawford, Forsyth, aud those
OF our own times. But for local information and
notices Of indiyi uals less known ont of their own
State, we are indebted to the Rev, George Whites
historical collections Of Georgia, recently published,
work Of great value to the student and the poll
tician.
Colonel William Few, one OF the Georgia Senators
in the first Congress, descendant of one OF Che
original settlers of Pennsylvania, and was born in
Baltimore county Maryland, on the Sth OF June,
las. His paernal ancestor, who was from Wales,
ana whose family name was written Flew, accompa
MED William Penn in his emigration to this country
The parents OF Col. Few, when he was ten years Of
age, removed with their family to Orange county,
North Carolina, when the son hsd the benefit OF a
good education He mbibed sound principles aud
viltucus habits, and, at the commencement Of the
Revolution, took the patriotic side. In l77G he re.
moved to Georgia, when the Revolution was in active
progress, and committee of public safety conducted
the affairs OF government. Soon after his arrival he
was elected a member of the Convention called
to frame State constitution. At the ensuing
election he was chosen member OF the
Assembly for Richmond county, and by that body
was appointed Of the council. From this period
to that Of the adoption OF the constitution of the
United States aOd afterwards with short intervals,
to the close Of 1904 he was constantly employed in
public affairs.
The earliest military service Of Few was performed
in repulsirg British force which invaded Georgia
from East III rida. lie was afterwards employed in
expeditions againt the Greek Indians when he sc,ed
as Lieutenant Colonel Of Militia. Ia IT'S ne vas APP
pointed Surveyor General OF the State, also tina. Of
presiding Jadge of Richmond county. In 1873 he
VS. r. elected member of the Legislature by which
body, in January, 1850, he was appointed member
Of the Continental Congress, AID in the following
May tlok his seat, whs il was in session in PhiIa
del phia Soon after the peace OF 1883 Coionei Few
returned to Georgia, aud vas again elected 10 the
Legislature, which met in January, 1854, for the
purpose Of revising the laws and reorganiz-
ing the affairs OF the State. lie now engaged
in the practi,e of law, and acquired hgh re
and do
batter. His talents knowledge, aad experience
induced the Legislature again TO elect him MEMBER
Of the Continental Congress- when subjects ofntcrsst
10 Georgia were pending before That body. he was
subsequently elected q member Of the convention
for frarnilg The United States constitution, which
met at Philadelphia in 1857, and, with Abraham
Baldwin, affixed his signature 10 the constitution, In
behalf Of Georgia He then repaired to the Safe, to
exert his influence in favor of the adoption by her OF
the proposed constitution and was elected delegate
from Richmond county to the State Convention
which met in Augusta, in December, l7s7, aud by
which the constitution was ratified few days after
wards. The Legislature tnen appointed him one OF
the Senators in the first Congress. In 1888 Colonel
Few married CaIharine, daughter of Commodore
Nicholson, of the United States Navy.
In the Senate OF the United States the course Of
Colonel Few was that of moderate republican. He
supported some of the Of Washing tons ad.
mnisration and was favorable to the charter OF tue
first Bank Of the United States, although OBJ
posed to some Of its pro ,isions. In general
however he acted with his colleagues IN both bou
in The opposition Of the republicans to the measures
brought forward by Hamilton ard other leaders of
tie federal party When his term OF service expired,
in March, 1898, Col. Few retired with lis family to
bis estate in Georgia. and resumed his agricultural
pursuits. In 1895 he was elected member of the
Georgia Legislature which declared the Yszo1 act
null and yoid About the same time he was appoint
Cd Judge Of one Of the districts ato which the State
was divided, and after tlree years service on the
bench he resigned on account Of i'll health. In the
sumner Of 1899 he removed with his family to the
city Of New York where he cansinuad 10 ida nni