The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1906-01-17
W AR STORIES
Cradle OF Secession--.One Of the Nos+ pa
1narlzable Districts in America
Augusta Chronicle.

One OF the most remarkable small
areas Of country in the Union in
respect Of the large number of dis.
tinguished men that has been pro.
duced, eTerything considered, is that
comprised in q circle Of about 30
miles radius lying about the city of
Augusta, GA. The centre of the dis
trict would probably lie few miles
shove Augusta, up the "Ssvauneh
Valley It is not congressional
district, embracing both Georgia and
South Carolina. It lies among q
splendid assemble 90 of productive
hills, that rise with their granite
foundations, irony red clay subsoi!a,
and we'll watered, grassy sides, above
the monotonous sandy stretches going
out from Augusta to the sea. The
district in point does not include the
city of Augusta properly, but is al.
most wholly rural; the largest town 10
it today has only 10000 Inhabitants,
and the next largest 1000. Formerly
the urban population was much less
AS we consider it. it is composed
almost wholly Of plantations. There
are thickly populated districts, prob
ably studded with towns Of as small
general area in the Union that have
mothered as many tell sons, but it is
doubtful whether any other stretch Of
as rural territory can in such respect
be compared with this. Here have
arisen men who had an earthq uake
tread. 1t is not intended to debate
whether these men were right or
wrong, or whether many of them de-.
serve the permanent title of greatne ess;
but that upon this little real stage of
life have been enacted scenes of great
national interest, by strong men
scenes whose areas of interest have
stretched beyond the seas, and whose
afserclaps have shaken (though they
have sometimes shooked) this coun-
try cannot he gaiusaid,
In this district were born, reared
and hero labored the following men:
John @. Calhoun, who twice became
vice president, twice secretary Of war,
once secretary Of State, and for long
time senator; widely regarded as the
most robust character that has ever
risen :upA from the South; William
Harris Crawford, who came nearly
being president in 1916, was once
secretary Of State, once minister to
France and for a long time senator;
Alexander 81. Stephens, vice presi-
dent OF the Confederaoy, long time a
member Of congress- and man OF
singular ability; Robert Toombs, the
"Thunderer, y who was the leader OF
the Southern party with Jefferson
Davis during The period just proceeds
the war and who, following the ele-
vation Of Stephens TO the: second sta.
t'on in the Confederaoy, became the
Confederate secretary Of State; Howell
Cobb, who was speaker OF congress in
1919, at the age Of 81, secretary Of
'he treasury aud presidsnt Of the Con.
f. derate constitutional congress;
G~":?se Washington Crawford, score
ta,y, Of State under President Tyler:
Armistead Burt, who served as speak.
or In 1s49, after. the retirement of
Winthrops Preston Brooks, who Won 80.
an uhsavory national reputation from
his Gaming; Of Charles Sumner; Here's.
oaei ". johnson, who was the vice,
presidential candidate Of the Doug.
las ticket ID 1860, and Henry Grady,
the ) oratoriual saint. of the, South;
Bishop George F. Pieroe, the, most !
eloquent man in the Methodist pulpit
in hia day, and whose great speech: in
the Methodist Conference at Bal.i.}
more, in defense Of slavery, In 1874,
perhaps caused the separation .of the;
Northcrn, and Southern 53:s Methodist;
Church, also lived in tEis district: II.
Is the district today OF Tom Watson
and Ben Tillman,.. who. whatever. else.
be said of them, were, *no,withatand.
ing the two most dramatio and striking:
figures ID the Southern political: feld;
during the national campaign +of 1896:
Watson and Tillman fof the present
day are neighbors, one living 2s miles.
in q westerly and the. other 23 milas!in
q northerly. direction from Augusta:
The home4 Of w WataonI I is within 40
miles :of the old home os Alexander Il
Stephens. Il The home of STeombs i iisS
only 20 miles from: shee homes Cot
Stephens and Watson, "a w &H fH, Craw:
ford and Watson were II, u born ili i 81 4 the| tl
Same county. though. later 9 Cav n ffordS f
lived; higher np The !vslieiy aud opposite Isl
and almostlin sight Of % Calhoun, q llCsi.I
houn and Crawford (twoa soulld dsS,llmoss iii