The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-28
ATLANTA Constitution


Though he became the idol of the DEM
ocrats and was never defeated for any
ofeee to which he aspired. Toombs, up
10 the time of the dissolution of the
Wing party, was an ardent Wing. on
being tvltted with his Whig-tainted
record on one occasion, he replied with
singular but characteristic candor. Eyes.
swallowed whiggery. but have yomit-
cd and feel better
Toombs and George W. Crawford Were
tho warmest friends Is we'll as political
allies. Crawford was Governor of Geor-
gia and subsequently, Secretary of War
in Taylor's Cabinet. He was also presi-
dent of the convention that met in Mil
ledgeville in 1860 and took Georgia out
Of the Union.
Crawford resided at Belair. near Au-
gusta. and lived in great affluence, and
Toombs was frequent visitor at his
norne. They owned jointly AZ ono tine
1Go.c0o acres of the choicest land in
Texas, from which they realized Il hand
some profit.
The slavery question was the rock
upon which the Wing party split, and the
Northern Wings We're as Widely sepa-
rated from the Southern Wings on thai
Issue as the Democrats and Republicans
became later. The Wings and free soil
ers united 10 form the Republican parry
at the North. while at the South the
Wings went into the Constitutional Union
party first and latterlv the Democracy.
During the stormy period in which the
Wing party went to pieces. the House OF
Representatives OF the. National Congress
became involved in deadlock over the
contest for the speakership Howell
Cobb. of Georgia.. was the Democratic
candidate For the position, and Il. NJ. T..
Hunter OF Virginia. was the Whig candi-
date. Cobb lacked but a few votes Of tho
necessary majority OF the vote cast 10
elect him under the rules. After fruit
lcssly balloting for about two weeks a
resolution was offered declaring Cobb
elected
Toombs. who vas member of The
House, rose to the point of order. There
upon the Northern members attempted
10 howl him down. Tho clerk proceeded
10 call the roll OF the House amid scenes
If the Widest confusion and disorder.
but through il ell Toombs stool undis-
laayed, and made one of The finest
speeches Of mis- life. 1t is pronounced
ono OF the greatest exhibitions Of moral
courage and determination in the his
tory Of parliamentary bodies.
After the recognition of tho indepaad-
cncc OF tho Republic Of TcxaG end tne
war with Mexico was declared. Toombs
becanle 3isunionist and so announced
himself IN the speech in fremont Temple,
Boston. When he realized that matters
hal reached such a crisis from which
there was 20 retreat. and with which
IL would have been worse than folly to
teInrorizc he made speech in tho United
States Senate in which tho position o.
the South was defined with the utmost
olearness end distinctness. This speech
VAS so Intended and had The object OF
cfystalIiziuz The war sentiment both
North ard South. 1T was tho signal Gun
for The frightful conflict to begin. Tao
terrific earnestnoss of mis- words. tha
dramatic power OF his rhetoric. his clear
cnt and inoisive logic Enthusiastically de-
moDstratc1 that he fully realized the mo-
mentous step that he was TAKING and
determined to abide It's consequences.
When tho provisional Congress of the