Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-06-09
OLD AND NEW METHODS
OF POLITICS IN GEORGIA.;
FORMER GREAT POLITICIANS

Hill was elected over him by a fusion
of Democrats and boiling Republicans.
Robert Toombs knew nothing OF the
machinery of politics. Those who relied
upon il were distasteful to him. He
triumphed over the shrewdest pontlcal
wire-pullers of his time and was so I'M
perially self-confident that sometimes he
paid no attention to their Vaccinations
though his friends were alarmed.
Ben HilI's Great Self Reliance.
No man ever rose TO prominence in
Georgia politics with less assistance from
politicians than did Benjamin Harvey
Hill. He literally fought his way up and
never held an Office which he did not
go into absolutely untrammelled. he
liked nothing better than to charge upon
a whole squadron of his enemies who
were conspiring to wrong him IN any
way He was absolutely incapable OF any
sort of combine. or any concession which
he thought involved the slightest sacri-
flee of principle.
From one point OF view his superb
speech to the Georgia legislature In 1876
which undoubtedly won the United States
senatorship. could not have been sur
passed in actual result by any effort or
design of the adroiest of politicians. But
that speech bore no tinge of demagogy.
II was a merciless exposure OF the false
hoods and tricks Of those who had SLAM
dered him and endeavored to crush him.
1t was an appeal to the representatives
Of the people OF Georgia which for elo-
ouence and power touched a point that
has rarely been reached in the memory
Of Georgians now living.
Two InvIneibIe Georgia Politicians.
There have been no two more steady
winners in Georgia politics than John B.
Gordon and Alfred II. Colquitt. Neither
of them was ever defeated. Both held
the two highest Offices In the state and
were elected to them by popular MAORI
ties and on waves Of enthusiasm which
no skill of organization could have with
stood.
Nobody who ever saw Colquitt or Gordon
handle a crowd or move through the
rough-and-tumble OF a campaign can
wonder at the unbroken series OF tri-
umphs which they both achieved. There
Is no record OF the politician who under
stood better how to approach the free
American citizen, whether IN hostile.
friendly or doubtful mood. The chances
were always that under the magic OF the
Colquitt or Gordon handshake. the spell
of a few words, a look into a handsome.
soulful face that recalled heroic memories
and suggestions. the determined foe OF
the candidate would relax his hostility.
the doubtful would be converted and the
serene supporter would bloom out into
the ardent enthusiast.
Neither Gordon nor Colquitt ever made
a canvass in which the fascination Of
his personality did not assert itself to
remarkable degree.
The organization and the well laid plans
which contributed to the victories won
by these men were less their own work
than that of their friends. But as can
vassers among the masses. as spell-bind-
ers and vote-getters 1t is doubtful IL their
equals are to be found in the list Of
Georgia politicians. In that list are many
men OF rare gifts. men who excited re-
markable control over the minds and
actions OF their followers, men who helped
to make Georgia great and/whose names
are written in gold on the pages Of her
history
Among them were those who illustrated
almost every variety and phase of honest
and honorable politics. Some who have
very rarely equalled for shrewd judg-
ment, cool elaboration and consummate
skill in the management OF men. There
have been others who compelled the -ad-
miration and support OF their followers.
who could either convince or beat down
opposition, as the occasion might require.
men to whom might have been applied
the words written Of Sir Phillip Sidney:
He was the tongue OF Suada in peace
and the arm Of Bellona in war;