The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-09-04

The visit Of the distinguished Georgian,
Hon. Timothy NJ. Furlow, of Sumter county,
to Atlanta reviyes old memories.
Mr. Furlow is in his seventy-fourth year
He still enjoys excellent health and is one of
the best preserved men in the state. His
mind is clear and bright as Of old land he talks
most modestly and interestingly of the days
that are gone.
Mr. Furlow entered public life in 1S41 AT
that time he resided in the county of Bib and
made the race for the legislature, which he
easily won. He made an excellent representa-
tive. and in 1912 his friends in Bib pressed
him for the position of state senator. In
those days each county in Georgia was enti-
tied to one senator His opponent was Wash
ington Poe, at that time one of the ablest law
yers in the state.
There were no nominations. Both oandi-
dates went before the people, and the canvass
an exciting one. Mr. Furlow was elected by
good majority and made one of the best SEN
ators who ever represented old Bibb,
In 1S49 Mr. Furlow removed to Sumter
county, where he became one of the largest
and most prosperous planters in the state
There, in 1860 he took part in one of the
Warmest campaigns which has ever been
fought in the county of Sumter. He ran on
the secession ticket as candidate for the
great convention held the same year, and
which voted Georgia out of the union.
Three strong secessionists, one of whom was
the lamented Willis A. Hawkins, made the
race against three co-operationistS 1t was n
determined fight, and stirred the good people
Of Sumter as they had never been stirred be-
fore.
The secession ticket won a signal victory,
and Mr.. Furlow heard all the great debates
and witnessed all the stormy scenes of the
famous state secession convention of 1860
He said, yesterday: 'It was one of the
largest and ablest bodies of men ever held in
the south. Among the members were Thomas
r. Il. Cobb, Alexander III. Stephens and Ben
jamin II. Hill. All of these gentlemen took
conspicuous part in the debates. Hill and
Stephens were strong for cooperation and both
won great distinction by their able utterances.
But to my mind Tom Cobb was the master
spirit of the convention. He was the chair
man of the committee to revise the constitu-
tion, and filed that responsible place with the
greatest ability. He did not speak often, but
every speech which he made commanded the
closest attention of the intelligent body, and
had telling effect. Cobb was q wonderful
man. l have never seen an orator of finer
presence, and better or ADLER man never
lived i'll Georgia, or, I had almost said, any
where else. There was charm
in his voice and manner, dignity
in his presence, an inspiration in his eloquenco
that was simply irresistible. No man in that
body welded SO great an influence, as the re-
suit showed
"And you carried us out?"
eyes, we seeded. l was strong secession
list then-so strong that I haven't got over it
yet, felt that we were right, you know-and
still think so. [ can't help it, and wouldn't
help it if could,' and Mr.. Furlow smiled
pleasantly.
'Do'you remember the majority by which
the secession ordinance was carried 2"
"Let me see-I think it was about sixteen
votes No-the vote was not made unanimous.
There were several of the delegates who did
member, was William Simmons, l think from
Gwinnett. I don't think the delegates from
Montgomery county signed it, either. l can't
recall their names"
"The ordinance, you know, was introduced
by Eugclias a. Nisbet of Bibb one Of the
ablost members Of the body. After its adCp-
ton, it was transcribed upon parchment in the
most beautiful manner The handwriting was
exquisite. / have never seen q pretticr docu-
ment in my long life. 1t was then placed
upon the speakers desk, and the delegates
filed up the aisle by counties and signed it.
1t was at first thought that it would take
only q few hours to sign the ordinance. But
t took about three days"
"Why SOP"
"Well, there were several hundred men you
know and they all took their time about if.
They took the greatest pains in attuching their
signatures. 1t was q matter Of pride and
honor you see. 4 number Of them bought the
finest pens and holders that could be found and
after writing their names preserved them as
mementos of the great occasion. lam satisfied
that many of these pens are still held as help
looms III Georgia families"
''By the way" said Mr.. FurloW suddenly,
fI wonder where that ordinance is now. I
haven't the slightest idea I would like so
much to know, for have great curiosity to see
it onCc more.
f'Isn't it among the archives of the state 2"
Possibly, but L don't know. Perhaps some
of the readers of TIE CONSTITUTION can tell
where it is. You can inquire through the
press. believe that many people in Georgia
will share my desire to know what has become
{rCVUia'S famous ordinance
In 1868 there was triangular contest in
Georgia for the governOrship.
The Miledgeyile Recorder hoisted the
name Of the Hon Timothy NJ Fuylow as a
candidate. He did not desire to run, but
yielded to the strong pressure Of friends and
wrote 4 letter Of acceptance, in which he do
clared strongly for President Davis and his
administration.
Nj. Furow made no canvass He did not
make single speech nor did ho go out OF his
county.
The other candidates were Hon. Joshua
Hill, of Morgan, and Governor Joseph q.
Brown, who had filled the gubernatOrial chair
three terms ard was strongly urged to run the
fourth time.
!, The Atlanta Gazette put forward the name
of MI. HILL, stating that he would serve If
elected, but would make no canvass. He
represented the conservative union element,
and Mr. Furlow, who was a warm secessionist
and a strong war man, was expected to draw
votes from Governor Brown.
1t was a free-fOr-all fight, but by no means
lively one. The people were too much absorb
ed with the war to take much interest in pol
itics.
The New York Herald took deep interest
in the triangular race and predicted the cleo
ton OF Hill.
But the great paper made big mistake
Only 64,004 votes were polled-about one
half Of the vote in the state and the army.
Governor Brown received 36,5jS, Joshua
Hill is, 222, and Timothy Furlow 10,024. Gov
ernor Browns majority over both was 1912.
The army vote footed up 1928, of which
Brown got 1902.
The vote in the army was by regiments. the
commissioned officers in each acting as mana
gers. Seventy-three regiments gave Brown o
majority over both opponents Of 5S01
1t is interesting to note that among the gen.
tleInen whom the opposition sought to bring
out against Georgia's war governor were Cen
eral \. II. Colquitt General l.. J. Gartrell,
Judge Thomas Cabaniss and Judge Charley J.
jenkins, all Of whom declined to make the
race.
Mcssrs. Furlow and Hill were also among
the distinguished delegates to the constit u
tiona convention Of 1871, and Mr. Furlow tells
this interesting incident: zone day" said
he, 'during the session of that convention l
was walking down Marietta street with Mr..
Pr rs u