Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-09

challenged Mr.. Crawford for duel.
The duel was fought in South Caro-
lima and Van Allen was killed. The
particulars OF this duel l have never
seen. As far as they appear Crawford
felt himself justified in his course.
General John Clarke lived in Wash
ington, and Van Allen lived there also,
and was doubtless his friend.
Many OF Clarke's warmest friends
were members Of the Yazoo company
and a quarrel sprung up between him
and Crawford. Clarke was only six
years older than Crawford, but he
was now a man Of influence and wealth
and Crawford was just getting estab-
lished. There was an election before
the legislature OF which Crawford was
a member, for Judge. Clarhe's brother
in-law, Griffin, was a candidate and
Clarke was very anxious for him to be
elected. Charles TAFT. who had been
the rector Of the academy when Craw-
ford was assistant, was now a lawyer
and wanted the judgeship. Through
Crawford's management he was cleo
ted. The quarrel between Clarke and
Crawford grew in bitterness and as
1 told in my last article, there was a
cruel charge made against Clarke
which he said originated with Craw-
ford. There was a war Of bitter words
and then a duel, when Crawford was
shot through the wrist. Then to make
matters still worse, Crawford, who
had been not seven years In public life,
and who had borne no part in the rev.
dictionary war, was chosen United
States senator. He was a young sena-
tor, only 81 years old, but he bore
himself so well that he had no opposi-
ton for the senate the next term.
He was a man OF magnificent appear
ance and bore himself with courtly
grace. was a bright companion, and
impressed all with his lofty integri-
ty. When Mr.. Madison came into the
presidency he wished to put Crawford
in his cabinet. but he declined; he was
then offered the mission to France,
which he accepted. He made a very
fine impression in Paris, and returned
to America to take the place of sec
rotary of war under Madison. In a
short time he was offered and accept
ed the treasury and gave up the war
department He held this RESPONSE
BILE position for ten years, a longer
time, think. than any man was ever
in that bureau, and filled IL with
great ability.
He was affable, magnetic, a strong
partisan. a consummate politician, and
q most popular man with his party.
Mr.. Adams, Mr.. Clay, General Jack
son and Mr.. Crawford were each as
pirants for the presidency in 1924. Mr..
Crawford had much the best chance
Of any Of the candidates. His election
was almost certain. He was only 50
years old, in the very vigor of his
strong manhood, and the prize for
which he had strided was almost in
his grasp. when ne was stricken with
an apoplectic attack. His friends
always sgid IT was the result of an
overdose Of lobilia, but II may be
that the free life OF those days had
something to do with 1t. for II must
be admitted that he was by no means
a total abstainer and was a man OF
very violent temper. He did not,
however. surrender his portfolios nor
retire from his candidacy. His friends
stood by him and endeavored to con-
ceai the fact Of his invalidism, but Il
could not be concealed and the pros
pect for his election was soon hope
less one. He received, however. a
fattering vote, invalid as he was, and
then returned to his home IN Ogle-
thorpe.
For the large part Of twenty years
ne had been absent from Georgia
He had, however, been the leader In
Georgia affairs, although he was in
Washington. He and John Clarke
were leaders for over twenty-five
years. Clarke had defeated his an
tagonist In three combats. but now
he was endorsed and the Crawford
party was again triumphant, but the
stroke had come to him that drove
him from the field after the fight was
won. 1t was while Crawford was sec
rotary that the quarrel between Craw-
ford and Calhoun had its beginning.
One Of Mr.. Calhoun's warmest friends
made an effort to impeach him and
made some very damaging charges
against him which were found TO be
groundiess. Mr.. Calhoun wrote a let
ter to General Jackson in which Mr..
Benton says he charged Mr.. Crawford
with having proposed IN the cabinet
to censure him In some way for having
done violence to the rights of Spain
by crossing the Florida line and hang
ing Ambrister and Aburthnot. He
says General Jackson was very indig-
nant and indeed Infatuated, and sup
posed from the letter he received from
Mr.. Calhoun that Mr.. Crawford. his
rival for the presidency, was the au-
thor of the attack on him. Mr.. CAL
houn did not say so. but Mr.. Benton
says he led him to think so.
He remained under that impression
until some time after he was elected
president, and when Mr.. Calhoun was
in his cabinet a trusted member. Then
the secret was revealed and the breach
was made between Calhoun and Craw-
ford as well as between jackson and
Calhoun. Mr.. Benton was ready to
believe anything to the injury of Mr..
Calhoun. and he charges the great
Carolinian with virtual lying, and
cruel SANDER.
The case is not made out, but the
breach between Crawford and Cal
houn could never be healed.
Judge Dooley, who had been a
clerk, was dead. His office was va
cant and Crawfords friends gladly
gave it TO him. He filled the office with
great ability, despite his growing in
frmities. His old rival and enemy,
John Clarke, had gone from Georgia;
his party was triumphant, Calhoun
had lost his last chance for elevation,
and while he had failed to grasp all.
he had won every battle he had
fought. He was trusted as a man OF
the highest integrity. OF perfect hon
esty and OF unfiinching courage, but
doubtless he was a man of violent
temper and of intense prejudices. He
married a lovely woman, and had a
most notable family. One OF the lead
ing members Of his family was the
celebrated DIR. Nathaniel Macon Craw-
ford, long president Of Mercer univer-
sity and an author Of note. 1 think
he has two daughters yet living, ven
cradle women in the old county Of
Columbia, where the Crawfords first
pitched their tent in 1779.
Note.-One object of these articles is