The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-06-21
THE GEORGIA GENTLEMAN.
Mr. T. Remsen Crawford's Address
at the University.


nahians was that of Mr.. T. Remsen
Crawford of this city. delivered last Mon
day before the two literary societies of
the State University-the Demosthenian
and Phi Kappa.
Mr.. Crawford. during his college days.
was a member of the former society. and
it was at its invitation that he vent TO
Athens 10 deliver the annual address. Mr..
Crawford graduated with the class of SO,
and is now connected with the Plant sys-
TEN in this city, in the capacity of adj
vertising and press. agent.
In speaking of the Georgia gentleman
Mr.. Crawford spoke first of the colonial
gentleman and then Of the barOnial, and
lastly. he called it, "forlornial" but
a gentleman still. OF the colonial Georgia
gentleman he said
He may have come from England,
Scotland, Ireland or France, no matter
where, since he came to Georgia, planted
here his home here asserted mis- individ-
ual worth, here Joined his fellow men in
building a country of their own, where
waves the
Flag of the free hearts hope and home.
BY angels hand to valor given.
What a quaint character was the Geor-
gia gentleman in colonial times as we
view him through traditions theselater
years. If there was one Swinging virtue
more radiant than the rest 1t was pride;
pride in country; pride in dong right;
pride in personal appearance-prde even
in every little detail of dress. How
strikingly is this illustrated in the case
of Maj John Jones in the battles around
Savannah in 1873 when just before en-
gagtng in a murderOus onslaught against
the foe, he wrote to his beloved wife TO
please send him some black ribbon with
which 10 make cockade. a few days
later he wrote another letter TO his wife
saying: My Dear Polly: The enemy still
being obstinate and not knowing how long
they may continue so, I must beg the
favor of you 10 send lshmael with a pair
ruffied shirts. Maj. Jones was none the
less gallant with all his love of dress and
was Killed a few days later while bravely
leading a fierce ana daring assault upon
the enemy There seems to be few ex-
ceptions to the general rule that Geor-
CLANS in those early days when American
liberty was being bought al the price OF
patriotic blood were brave men. Even
Patrick Carr, the jefferson county pa
triot, who declared In his Irish humor.
that he would have made a good soldier,
but the Almighty had given him too mer-
|. ciful a heart, is said to have done his
share of lighting and killed his fun quota
THAT page Of Georgia history which
tells of proud-hearted Gov Matthews rid
ing on horseback to Washington City to
thrash President Madison for fancied in
suit, is no more amusing than 1t IS pic
turesque and illustrative of the bold ma
lures of the Georgians of his day. Gov
Matthews had left Georgia after the land
troubles in this state and had been ap-
pointed by President Madison to superin-
tend the adjustment of similar issues in
Florida. Subsequently his appointment
was recalled by the President. This an
gered him beyond control. What a scene
have we when the gentleman from Geor-
gia clad in his colonial suit, three corner
ed cockaded hat, ruffled shirt and topped
boots stalks into the white house of the
nation and demands of servant to see
the President.
.Prithee, sir. be Gained" says the SER
want. evidently observing the agitated spir-
il of Matthews.
take me this instant to the President" and
he was hurriedly shown to the President 5
private room by the frightened man where
they found the chief executive dressing.
Il believe YOU are the President, sir, -
said the Georgia governor.
"Yes?' said the startled President of the
United States.
MY name is Observation-Disclosures of
Georgia, sir. You appointed me arbitrator
of the Florida troubles"
And then recalled my appointment"
Now, sir, I have come here to resent
your iRsult / take it for granted that you
knew me as you should have known me
before you made the appointment; so l
have come, sir, to avenge such impudent
insult as you have given.
AS the story runs the President had quite
a time of II trying to pacify the fiery
Georgian. though there is another tradi-
ton to the effect that Gov. Matthews new
| er reached Washington, but was taken
sick on his way through Virginia and was
| brought back to Augusta where he died
some time afterwards.
The character of Gov. Matthews shines
! forth on the glittering scroll of Georgia
! history in the same bold fashion as does
! the character of Nancy Hart, who de-
serves mention in this connection, because
/ while there may be those now to raise OBJ
/ lection to the epithet. there wasn't a man
4 i'm all this land in the colonial days who
would dare stand up and say Nancy Hart
| was no gentleman. Somehow, l have al
ways felt neighborly with this picturesque
| character that lives in the traditions OF
Georgia, for l was born and reared in the
4 region of the state where Nancy lived.
/ There is a spot not far above the northern
4 border of Lincoln county that is still held
! dear In the minds of the present inhabi-
/ tants as the place where Nancy first pich-
| ed tent when she came from North Caro-
| lima with her unknown husband, and set
| tied in the Broad river section. I can see
/ her now. Just how she must have appeared
| that day when she captured so many to-
ries in her humble cabin home and how
she entrapped them when the tories came
| in search of fleeing patriots, halted at
/ Nancy's gate killing one of her turkeys.
! forced her to cook 1t for their dinner, and
! how she drank them drunk from their
/ own flask, till finally she backed herself
| between them and their arms. which they
| had stacked in the center of the cabin
| floor, and then Selling one of the muskets
/ killed one or two of them, and being
| cross-eyed, kept the others guessing al
her aim, till her husband came and help
! ed her bind them fast. Brave soul, She
| did her part for the cause of American
! liberty in those trying days, and her name
| viii live as long as Georgia is a state A
| county has been named in her honor. and
as to any other Georgia gentleman of her
day.
49,. Crawford then came down TO the
Georgia gentleman of anti-bellum DAYS,
/ OF quiet easy luxury. In this connection
| he spoke of the practice of duelling in de-
| Tense of honor, which was looked upon in
those days as the true arbitrament. He
| said:
In the volumes that have been writ
| ten showing the lives and characters OF
| the people Of Georgia just prior 10 the
! war between the states we see Shining
| forth on every page striking portrayais
1 of the dauntless pride OF their sensitive
| natures. We have but to look upon the
/ picturesque valley of Sandbar Ferry, The
/ old duellng grounds with all their thrill
| ing traditions for Verifications. Not MANY
| days ago II was my pleasure to stand
! upon this historic spot of Georgia soil
| so often stained with the blood of men
| with souls as much afiame with chivalrv
! and honor as ever were the knfghtliest
! of knights, sand / thought that changes
1 have come into the minds of men That
| this place and all similar places are ma
! longer resorted TO nowadays. Georgia ns
| are as quick 10 resent an insult now as
| they ever were, and they do resent them
| whenever they are given, but they have
| forsaken the methods of their forefath-