The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-10-18
WATSON-TILLMAN COUNTRY.
PROMINENT MEN FROM A SMALL
SECTION.

HerscheI V. Johnson, Democratic
Vice-Presidential Candidate in
1860 was From WatsOn's District.
Country of Calhoun, CrawfOrds,
Johnson, stephens, TOOmbs,
brooks, watson, TiIIman.
Copyright, 1896.
Uerschel V. Johnson, the running mate
of stephen A. Douglass in 1860 in the
great division of the democratic party,
came from Thomas E. Watsons neigh
borbood in Eastern Georgia.
This coincidence has not been generally
noted by the country. Herschel V. john
son was born and reared, and he lived
throughout his life within forty miles of
the birthplace and present home of Thorn
as F. Watson, the populist candidate for
the vice presidency, Herschel V. Johnson
was born in Burke county. Ca, Sept. Is,
1912. Thomas E. Watson was born in Col
umbia county, Georgia, Sept 8, 1856.
In other words, in the two great politi-
cal crisis of 1860 and 1896, which are wide
w REGARDED as similar in the Importance
are certainly similar in the great divisions
Of the democratic party-the country has
gone to the exactly same locality for one
nj its vice presidential candidates, to wit,
anarrow strip of land in Eastern Georgia.
There is this difference, however, in the
contests of 1860 and the present year; the
Georgia candidate of to-day has not a
h ;e
tv. but endorses the only as yet declared
PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the democrats.
This makes less complex the contest of
this year, and improves, from the stand
pont of less competition, the chances of
success of the present democratic presi-
Dental candidate.
This coincidence may reasonably di-
rect an interesting, if not serious, in
ouiry into the causes that have made it
possible. of course the selection of Mr..
Watson from this district by his conven-
ton was not designed as coincidence
with that of Johnson from the same dis
trict at similarly critical times, and thus
far was an accident; but inquiry into the
nature of the district that has presented
the candidates at these two periods may
help to show why the coincidence might
have reasonably occurred.
The district that has produced and
presented Watson and Johnson, comprised
in a circle of a radius of sixty miles
with center near the city of Augusta,
Ga and embracing counties in Georgia
and South Carolina, is one of the most
remarkable small areas in the union in
respect of the number of national char
acters it has Observation-Disclosures
that whatever the nature of the
criticism that has been directed against
them nevertheless stand as tall and
sharp shapes in our national history plain
# N and commonly observed by the whole
people, This is the district also that has
FURNISHED the south with the most of it's
'lsms Here is where the majority of
what are known as the great Southern
questions originated or had their ablest
ana most earnest support or antagonism-
Tor II Is noteworthy that both sides of
these great questions have always had
mere able representatives. Leaving out
all legal phases, this is the district of the
south that has most frequently caught
the national ear and that has oftenest
caused the whole country to rock, though
at the same time to echo with plaudits
TO its admittedly able men,
II Inls is the country of Watson and Till
man OF to-day, undoubtedly the two most
theatrical and striking characters on the
sOu'Hem political stage. Looking south
%aTd from the national point of view,
uese TWO figures fill the minds eye. as
d. once the most unique, conspicuous and
salVe IN southern politics. They may
represent what appear to be eccentric
phases OF politics. but it cannot be denied
by one who knows the true inwardness
sual these two men are the leaders of a
Somlhaht influence in the south to-day,
ues'ues having large influence in other
poruons of the country. Mr.. Watson
HNes at a distance of twenty-eight miles
-, augusta, in a westerly direction, at
thomson, Ga, and Mr.. Tillman at a dis
lance Of twenty-three miles from Augusta.
!" nd d hortherly direction, at Trenton, S. C.
ms district has furnished the country
Vne presidential candidate, four vice pres
W0"tIdI candidates, two speakers of con-
So TOUR cabinet ministers and several
.o'e4sh ministers. And yet none of these
nyu nave come from a town of more than
s"o OF three thousand inhabitants, nearly
Il az came from the country and the planta-
uVAsi ana the total population to-day of
a. me counties represented is ony $4,000.
~ - Is doubtful whether any other territory
~ as small size and population in the
Ing
IT. ms is the district of John c. Calhoun,
&C &C twice became Vice President twice
secretary Of War, once Secretary of State,
SNe'AS otINtQ III the Otlldlt Ills
~HoHe was at distance of about 50 miles
'Oln augusta, and 40 miles each from the
homes Of Mr.. Watson and Senator Till
william Harris Crawford, a candidate
tVr me presidency in 1916, came from this
u.Sltiet and the county of Watson. In the
uoh Of 1915, Crawford received Al cleo
|Soiat votes, Andrew Jackson &c. John
quincy Adams 81, and Henry Clay 81. The
Vgeuon being thrown into the house,
SS,qams was chosen with the assistance of
NY Crawford was a senator and presi-
eent pro TEN of the Senate, once Secre-
EE'y OF the Treasury and minister to
alexander Ii. Stephens, the Vice Presi-
u'nt of the confederacy, came from this
s'ilct The south looks upon Stephens
a. one Of the ablest mel she has ever
pioalced, probably ranking him among
5e Hrst two or three of her great men,
H. was opposed to secession and supported
Il t.ouelass and Johnson, but as a browning
to1le 10 ais character and genius, he was
INJURED With The al "a In a 10