The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1878-12-29
GEORGIA,S GREAT GUN.
mob TO0mbs ana His Personal Appear
ance-What He Has to Say or
National Politics.


ance-What He Has to Say OF
National Politics.
Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.1
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20. = Gen. Robert
Toombs, or Georgia, nationally known as the
Southern fire-eater, and the gentleman who
swore he would never yield until he called
his slave roll at the foot of Bunker Hill, is In
fore the Supreme Court. For the last three
years he has been visiting Washington fire.
Quently, called hither to argue cases before
the supreme tribunal. His law practice Is
very extensive, and Is said to be more lucra-
tive than any other private practice In the
South. He never touches case for less
consideration than $4,000. As q brilliant adj
vocate and as an able and calculating jurist
his reputation Is as great now as In his palmy
political days when he fired the Senate by
ern heart, stung by his impassioned declama-
ton. We met him as he left the Supreme
Court to-day, and on presenting our card as a
preliminary for little talk, we took survey
Of the illustrious character while he was con-
sidering our claims for an audience; He Is
man OF five feet ten inches In height, with
full ITO pounds automatically distributed
over his several limbs; his physique is not
imposing, but 1t is impressing to one on the
first meeting that within the casing Is an
iron soul, q steel heart and a golden brain;
his face Is broad and clearly cut; his eyes are
still gray and shine with but little dmness,
though sixty-five years have passed since
they first saw light; his hair shows the pen
it is not snowy white but thoroughly gray;
In quantity 1t is abundant and hangs In long,
straight locks almost TO his collar; 1t Is
roughly kept, showing that comb and brush
are not the most favorite utensils OF his house.
hold. His head is unusually large, the fore
head is broad and almost excessively high; it
is not a retreating but a projecting and over
hanging one; the cerebellum is full and
roundly developed. making the Intellectual
portion of the gentleman ma symmetrical FL ana
another particular by STOPPING the shoulders
that were once so straight and strong. His
clothes are quite common and fit rather
loosely. His shirt was not the cleanest we
sustained better Chesterfield twist. "Well,"
says he, after glancing at our card, with
very polite bow and a warm grasp OF the
hand, II am glad to see you, but donot want
to be asked any questions Of q personal or
strongly political character. You must re-
member that am not q citizen of this cOun-
try, SO should not be used as the oracle OF
the views Of any sect or organization" After
giving assurance that no personal questions
broad question Of the South. "The South"
said he, is poor, not on the verge Of bank
ruptcy, but clear down In the abyss Of pow
erty; not one decade, but two 1t will take to
restore the South to her pristine glory and
ton, but by perseverance, economy, education
and the restoration Of local government.
we will In time fully recuperate." "Who Is
the South In favor OF for President In 1880 on
the Democratic ticket and II the Republic
the South prefer r "Well, will answer your
last question first. II, by the DEGREES Of
Omnipotence, we are not to be free for four
years more from Radical power, then I should
say give US q full lion. not sucking sheep.
IRA rt ic I hn fort ho n,
because he kills or wins. have never for
gotten how gracefully he treated Lee and
our soldiers at Appomattox.. No., Grant Is
better, a lion, though he Is, for the South
himself" 4 don't understand your figures e,
General 'Oh, well then, will not explain
further But you have not answered my
first question" mo, sir, must beg not to
do so, for there are 90 many admirable gen.
that are so eminently calculated to become
the Democratic standard-bearer that must
forbear to speak Of them by name" What
do you think Of Thurman, General 2" 81
think Judge Thurman is a great man, man
Of fine manners, Of polished education and a
statesman Of extraordinary character and
foresight"
"W6o Is the choice Of Georgia. General, for
the nominations"
Georgia wants the man who can win-the
strongest man In the whole field-a man who
can WELD enough strength to demolsh at one
stroke the whole system OF rotten Republic
anism. But will you excuse me, as see my
friend, Representative Hooker, and desire to
see him" and SO the old, but still vigilant
and invincible defender Of State rights, thu
ultra leader of the South, the last conspicuous
survivor of the decaded Calhoun confederacy,
slowly, but ma jestically moved away, and was
soon lost in the great hall, where he 80 often
pleaded for his principles with an eloquence
like unto McDuffie, Prentiss, Choate and Web
ster.