Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-21
GARcIAls RETTK N.
A REPUBLICAN VIEW OF ROB-
ERT TOOMBS.

Hon. Y. Wasbburns's "Reminiscences
of the Great GeOrgian-A Rough Ex-
terror Which Covered Many Good
Qualities.
No. 365 DEARBORN AVENUE, CHICAGO,
Dec. 16.-The death OF Gen. Robert
Toombs, at Washington, Ca, last night,
and announced this morning, awakens
many reoollections Of that remarkable
man. After serving four terms as Wing
member OF Congress from Georgia, the
last term ending March 8, 1858, he was
elected United States Senator as a estate
Rights Democrat" / knew him from 1865.
He occupied house in Washington at
that time on Indiana avenue and adjoin-
ing one in which my two brothers, Mr..
Washburn, OF Maine, and Mr.. Wash burn,
OF Wisconsin, and myself resided. X now
ing his dislike Of Republicans, or 'TAbOli-
tlonists," as be always called them, did
not cultivate his acquaintance; but he
and my brother, Israel Wash burn. Ir., of
Maine, who had served together as Wings
in the Thirtv-second Congress, were
always on pleasant terms. That he was
man Of great talent aud great force no
one who ever knew him will deny. But
his great natural violence and his despOtic
will marred his character. He did more
than any man in the South to produce
strife between the sections and precipi-
tate the civil war. He seemed 10 have an
innate hatred of the North and Of the
Northern people. So uncomfortable
was his temper and so unreasonable
his conduct that he generally
proved himself more dangerous to his
friends than his enemies lie was rough.
turbulent, Doisterous and perfectly I'M
manageable. In his whole character and
make up he was more like DantOn than
any man 1 have ever known or read Of.
With his compact frame. his head OF
heavy, bushy, black hair, his stentorian
voice. his v olent gesticulaton, he could
but remind one OF Danton on the theatre
OF his great contests at the Jacobin Club,
or in the National Convention of France
In thought, in action, IN character,
Toombs was thoroughly revolutionary.
Had he been IN Paris in "'S9v he would
have been great and COURAGEOUS leader.
But, after all, he had many good qualities.
be was good husband, a kind father,
and a pleasant neighbOr. His wife was
an accomplished ana agreeable lady, and
his daughter in 1886 who afterwards
married a Mr.. Dubose, subsequently a
general in the Confederate service, was
bright and attractive young lady.
Mr.. 1oomos left the senate before the
close Of the fhirty-fourth Congress to ioin
his fortune with that Of the war of seces-
sion. or his career in the C0nfederacy |
do not find this the occasion TO speak.
From the time Mr.. TOombs len Wash.
ington, IN February, 1861, had never seen
him Til met him al the White Sulphur
Springs ia Virginia, a year ago last sum
mer. As | stepped out OF the omnibus TO
enter the hotel / saw a man talking with
group OF gentlemen on the yeranda.
Though l had not seen Mr.. Toombs for
more than % years, and though be had
greatly changed, yet l could not mistake
him. Alter entering the hotel and regis.
tering my name / stepped out
on the Yeranda and addressed him.
mentioning my own name and saving
that be had probably forgotten mo. and /
think he had, though he protested that
be well recOlleCted me. After that we
bad many aud most agreeable cOnyersa-
tons, for be was an interesting talker,
and was full OF reminiscence. Our talks
were OF ante-bellum times, and he seemed
never 10 tire Of going over them. On one
occasion, when we had been discussing
some events at Washington before The
war, be frightened up, rubbed bis hands,
and exclaimed; Chow / DO like 90 talk
OF those old times" he had with him at
this time two Of his grandchildren--the
daughter and son OF his daughter then
dead by Dub0se. In all our conY ersa-
tons we bOtn efudiOusiy avoided The
most remote nllusiOn 90 tho "lnto unploas.
autnosa.n ! told mutual friend whom
found 40 the springs how gratilod bad