The sun., 1898-02-27
JURIST, WIT, AND POET.
Some OF the Sayings or judge Fniiisnnt OF the
Bench OF Bygonc Days.

some OF the snJluEN failisnnt inc
Bench OF Bygone Days.
ATLANTA. Ga, Feb. 22.-One OF the old-time
Judges of the South is still living. Judge Rob
ert Falligant, wit. orator, jurist, and kind
hearted. is known in every Southern State. He
presidcs in the eastern circuit OF this State.
His sayings are quoted in every home in Georgia.
The story TINT has carried his name farther
than any other is that in which he astonished
his hearers by saying that he had rather be a
fiddler on the coast OF Georgia than harpist in
heaven. 1t was at banquet. The Judge was
down to respond to the toast. Savannah" He
surprised when asked to respond. But
what could he do The nature OF the toast the
sentiment Of loyalty to his home city, made it
impossible for him TO retreat. quick a flash
he was on his feet with not single premeditated
suggestion to offer. He spoke of the supremacy
OF Savannah as Southern port and OF her
people. By this time he was warming up. He
cxtolled the virtues of the people who dwell be-
side the sen; how they commune with the in
nie IL 6e9oanS 81 day 81 the l. eqGndefs b S
men who had flown upward like eagles in
their ards," Sc. but he said the influences in
thr lives OF the people along the coast were
more hroadcnins and sublime.
BY this time he was so completely warmed up
lcaped to poe,ry-and Byron at that. When he
rounded OF the climax like an actor the ap-
iervent. This was not enough. lie wanted to
express his loyalty to his home in grander
phraseqlogy. He wanted to say that he would
Georgia than the kingliest of kings; and he sud-
denly thought OF the little spide.siks crabs on
he. Il had rather be fiddler on the coast of
Georgia. than and the antithesis came
quickly to his ready mind-"a harpst in tho
Applause and laughter prevented further
speech ard nc the meeting /! broke up
clever at verse While he was in tho war he
wrote many poems which have lasted well.
In % he wrote the well.known poem. which
became popular song just after the war. "Of
with Your Gray Suits. Boys"
The verses we're suggested by an incident of
the times Major Carroll Thomas came into
Augusta from his Burke county plantation one
day Gerked out IN his tud CSnfede5ate era nniiorm h
Major wore his "regimentals was because he
had no other clothes 70 wear He vas con.
Augusta. who demanded that he take of his
Confederate gear. II will not" said the Major.
them off," Judge Falligant was in Augusta.
and hearing of the incident put it In verse
After he had written what he thought would
suit he came down next day and read il over to
an elderly relative before breakfast, asking that
he serve him as critic. The poet read the poem
follows:
on with your gray suits, boys
on with your rebel gear;
The lightn ng fla. h Of your deadly steel
The terror OF your war
Their color ia Ike the smoke
That curled on yonr battles iine;
When the bastard columns before you broke.
And ;heIr dead were your fatal sign.
on with the starry wreath
Ye who have led Onr van
To you twas the pledge OF glorious death
when follow ed you over the CORY heath
And whipped them man to man!
Down with the cross OF stars!
Too long has II waved on high
TT, cred all over with battle scars,
But its gle am The negro banner mars
'Tis time To lay II by.
Down with the vows we've made!
Down with each memory!
Down with thoughts OF our noble dead
Down, down the dust wnere their forms are laid,
And down with liberty"
Winding of the last verse with so many
"downs." the poet recited the lines In his own
tragic way and turned eagerly to his aged rela-
tive with an expression OF triumph on his face.
"Well, Bob, said the relative TO the aspiring
poet, eli you have finished with your downs.
Lett down 10 breakfast !! "