Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-07
BOB TOOMBS,
Of Georgia, in an Interview With the
Washington Correspondent of the
New York "Tribune,,
Discusses the Independent Movement in
His State and the Late Elections
War "reminiscences.

NEW YORK, December 6.-The Tribun.
publishes the following interesting interview
OF It's Washington correspondent with Gen
| Bob Toombs, of Georgia.:
| zen. Robert 1oombs, of Georgia, arrived
In Washington the other day. He came al
the solicitation of Gov. Stephens to argue In
behalf OF the State the clke of the Atlantic
and Gull railroad against the State OF Geor.
gis, and expects TO remain several DAYS. To
Tribune correspondent vino called on Gen.
Toombs he extended a cordial greeting. re-
marking that the founder of the Tribune and
himself had been warm personal friends
MIR. Greeley and myself were political
friends, too, for long time" continued Gen.
loombs. Together we supported Gen. Har-
rison In 1910, and | was one OF the first sub
scribers to the Log Cabin. Mr.. Greeley and
L we're members of the House at the same
time and became personally intimate then;
but L was State Rights Wing, and whe q
the compromise measures of 1850 were
brought forward l went clear over in one d.
rection, and Mr.. Greeley in the opposite one
into the Free Soil camp. But l never lost
my affection for him; he was an honest, gen.
erous man."
Although age has dealt lightly with Geor-
gas "unrepentant REBEL" and his crop of
hair, though snowy, is still luxuriant, while
his voice Is strong and his eyes bright, he
has arrived a. the time of life when men
love to recall the past; so that in his talk to-
day he dwelt on political experiences and in
cldents which preceded the rebellion in
which he took go active and prominent a
part. An incidental allusion BY the CORE
spondent to Gen. Toombs's stubborn defense
of the bridge at Antietsm brought flush Of
pride 10 his face, and he described with much
energy his part in that great battle, saying,
| in conclusions: Davis in his book has given
perverted account of it in order to screen
the reputation of Jones, who was a cowardly
poltroon as well as some sort OF relative TO
the president. After Davis's book came out,
several OF the surviving officers OF my
old division wrote to me indignant let
ters aud wanted me to reply TO its false
hoods; but thought that, as they were only
some more of DAvis's babble, 1 would let
them go. 10 that fight every field officer
belonging 10 the Eve regiments which COM
posed my old brigade was struck down. Lee
and Mcclellan were both whipped, and both
had concluded TO retreat"
The conversation then drifted to Gen.
Longstreet, the right wing of whose force
Gen. Toombs commanded at Autietam
"Longstreet is doing well" said the general /;
sand Notwithstanding his affiliations with
the Radicals, he still retains the respect of
the people OF his native State-particularly
of his old soldiers. He has never been ostra.
-
taken up with the Republicans"
"Do you think there is any prospect of a
successful Independent movement in Geor-
gia% asked the correspondent.
"None whatever; there is nothing to make
an Independent party of 10 Georgia. When
FELTON, came out as an Independent caudi-
date for Congress few years ago, most of
us supported him because we considered him
a better Democrat than the regular nominee.
he wit all
Speer.n
''Is it not true, however, that both Mr..
Speer and DIR. FELTON, represented senti-
ment which is making itself felt in some
parts of Georgia in favor of protective
tariff ?" the correspondent asked.
mo, there is no strong sentiment of that
kind FELTON, was as strong free trader as
any of us when he was elected. Even the
manufacturing interests Of Georgia are now,
as they were in 1916 opposed 10 a protective
tariff. The tariff issue helped 10 defeat
both FELTON, and Speer in the recent election"
"Mr. Speer appears to think that a desire
for the abolition of the internal revenue
system will induce the people of Georgia
and the South generally TO favor the con-
tinuance of protective tariff" the corre-
spondent remarked.
Eyes, ] know he does, but he never made
greater mistake. He comes from a moun-
tain district where the people are peculiarly
hostile 10 the execution of the internal reve-
nue. laws and yet he could not get ma
jority of them TO vote with and Tor him on
that very ISSUE"
"What do you think of the result of the
recent electionsw asked the Correspondent.
"Well, what revolution and revelation
il was. Nearly everybody seems to feel
good over il, too. Nothing like it has hap
pened since the election OF Harrison. 1 am
inclined to think it points to a general dis.
OF parties as they now exist, and
the formation of new political alliances
based mainly on issues which have lately
kept in the background. The West and
South are natural allies on the tariff ques-
lion, and they will probably unite and
sweep the country on that issue. At any
rate there will be lively shaking-up of
both the old parties within the next two
vearsO