The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-12-30
(Atlanta Constitution.)

W. oIo ~ hdO AtHti dt1tdtCO u any
office to which he aspired, Toombs, up
to the time of the dissolution of the
Wing party, was an ardent Wing. On
being twittcd with his Whig-tainted
record on one occasion, he replied with
singular but characteristic candor, Yes,
! swallowed whiggery, but | have yomit-
Cd and | feel better"
Toombs and George ". Crawford were
the warmest friends as 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
~ledgcViile in 1850 and took Georgia out
OF the Union.
Crawford resided at Bclair. near Au-
GCsta. and lived IN great aftiucnce, and
IComDs was q frequent visitor at his
home. They owned jointly at one time
Ice, coo acres of the choicest land III
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 were as widely sepa-
rated from the Southern Wings on that
Issue as the Democrats and Republicans
became later. The Wings and free soil
- L I "a lhC INSpltbIiAdh patty
at the North, while at the South the
Wings went into the Constitutional Union
party first and latterly 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 a deadlock over the
contest for the speakership. Howell
Cobb, Of Georgia, was the Democratic
candidate for the position, and R.. NJ. T.
Hunter, of Virginia, was the Wing candi-
! date. Cobb lacked but a few votes of the
necessary majority of the vote cast to
elect him under the rules. After fruit
lcssly balloting for about TWO weeks a
! resolution was offered declaring Cobb
elected.
Toombs, who vas a member of the
House, rose to the point of order. There
upon the Northern members attempted
to howl him down. The clerk proceeded
TO call the roll of the House amid scenes
Of the widest confusion and disorder,
but through it all Toombs stood undis-
mayed, and made one of the finest
speeches of his life. 1t is pronounced
one of the greatest exhibitions of moral
courage and determination in the his
tory of parliamentary bodies.
After the recognition OF the independ-
ence of the Republic of Texas and the
war with Mexico was declared, Toombs
became a disunionist and SO announced
himself in the speech in fremont Temple,
Boston. When he realized that matters
had reached such a crisis from which
, there was no retreat, and with Which
it would have been worse than folly to
Itnmnorize. he made a sneech in the United
States Senate in which the position Of
the South was defined with the utmost
10 ,oI J;o4;potrncc Th;c cpn0oh
was so intended and had the object of
| CRYSTALLINE the war sentiment both
North and South. 1t was the signal gun
for the frishtful conflict to begin. The
terrific oarnestnesS of his words, the
dramatic power Of his rhetoric, hts clear
cut and incisive logic Enthusiastically de-
nlcnstratcd that he fully realized the mo-
mcntous step that he was taking and
determined to abide its consequences.
When the provisional Congress of the
Confederacy was organized at Montgom-
cry the leading part that Georgia was
destined to play in the terrible drama
that onsued would doubtless have re-
ceived recognition and the presidency OF
the young republic would have been
rendered to Toombs but for an unfortu-
nate circumstance. With the moment or
excitement came the temptation to too
llItt indulgence, "ht
to lead her fortunes.
To Toombs fell the honor Of being Sc
lected for the portofolio of State in Presi-
don't Davis cabinet. But it i'll accorded
with his refractory disposition to follow
the guidance Of another when ne had
himself so long led and directed.
After tho cessation of hostilitics orders
were issued by the Federal authorities 1ol
the arrest and confinement of the Con
federate President, Davis, stevens
Toonbs and the rest of the ill-starred
organization CT the Confederate Govern
mcnt. and it was rumOred that 1t was
their intention to confine Toombs IN az
ircn cage like Pajazet OF old ana cXhip''
lfim throughout tho Northern states anc
huninate him as much as possible. Abot'
this time a trusty negro appeared at tht
= Toombs home in Washington with tht
novs cf:tha arrest of Mr.. Stephens, a
CraMfcrdvfllc. after which he was renlov-
cd TO Fort Warren, in Boston harbor. Or
!, the heel. Of this intelligence a cavalcaut
Of Federal horsenen was seen TO ente!
the front gate.
i M tire was to be lost. While Mrs
,Toon,bs detained the soldiers on one plcs
! or another, the general escaped on horse
hack and found safety IN the seclislCn Q
tbe reccndite region of Tallulah. Ate
TN
several months spent in retirement L
that lovely and romantic mountainou
Z country, he made his way, attended VII
{ great difficulty and danger or beln'
4 caught by the alert and watchtnil sol
diorv. to New Orleans, where he TOO
steamer for Havana and then to Europe
I When asked by acquaintancejh he metin hi
travels there how he managed TO get IN
means to defray his expenses on the Ut!
bo renlied Il am eating an acre of TeXa
land a day"
4 Tho PHILOSOPHY of this remarkaol
\ man,s life. the story of his brillan
4 achievements and bitter disappointment
4 his hopes, aspirations, tastes ana pas
times. have a peculiar interest 10 d
y Southerners and especially Georslan'
During the period in which the two SEE
Itions were arrayed in bitter hostility an
about to engage in deadly strife. no ma
IL