Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-07-26
WATSON left CROWD
WAITING FOR HIM To
FINISH HIS SPEECH
Speaker at Thomson Adjourn
ed Meeting at Noon and Did
Not Return Until Eve and
Evans Finished Speeches
TOLD STORY OF LIFE;
ATTACKED HARDWICK
BY ]. C. NAULIFF.


THOMSON. Ca. July 2S.-Disappoint-
ment and indignation characterized
the spirit of the two thousand
for the afternoon meeting of the so-called
Watson gathering here Saturday, when
II was learned very positively Mr.. Wat
son would not come back for the after
noon and many expressions along this
line were heard. However. as the crowd
dispersed, first in twos and tours, and
then by tens and twenties. the active poll
ticians against Hardwick got busy and
Mr.. Watson was induced to come back
and address the remnant Of his audience
late in the afternoon after Messrs. Evans
and Eve had finished their part OF the
combined attack on Congressman Thomas
W. Hardwick
TRICK is ALLEGED.
watson's timely appearance saved the
day in a measure. for many OF his warm
supporters resented the ruse to get
hearing for Messrs. Evans and Eve and
many open expressions Of dissatisfaction
v,-re heard on every hand and even after
Mr. Watson came back it was not ap-
peased, for still they argued 1t was
trick and they did not relish the idea of
listening to Mr.. Evans and Mr.. Eve, when
they came to hear the eloquence of Wat
son.
In the morning Mr.. watson came for
ward without introduction and began
his address without formality, declaring
from the outset that unless he achieved
victory before the people in this su-
preme and critical contest, he would
be forced to go to his political grave.
Assaulted from every point, threatened
with death and besieged like unto a
pure woman defending ner virtue" he
stated ne stood his ground as a proud
man, never willing to give up the ghost
Of honor and vowing to devote his en-
ergy, life and effort to the defense Of
life, property and character of himself
and the people. feeling serenely con-
scious OF the outcome OF the trial. Many
voices gave assent to his statement.
Back yonder- IN the frgt or the W's,
he said, when we misunderstood one an
other times were different, but now we
are all together. many OF the old soldiers
are gone. a new generation is here-men
who do not know of the struggles. but
III they approve Oh what 4 anu cldAAO
by me, all will be well. but if they fail,
I shall have no desire to see the rising
Of tomorrow's sun, and politically 1t
will be an eternal goodnight to me.
TELLS STORY OF LIFE.
Listen, while a proud man speaks,
and pleads for that which is dearer TO
him than life, and I will tell you the
story from way back yonder in 1856,
when / was born, in what was then
Columbia county. and when 1 finish
stand by the result.
AIr. Watson then went into details
concerning mis- school life, stating that
only two OF the teachers who taught him
were living Miss Belle Henson and Rob-
ert II. Price, and his remarks continued
exceptionally eulogistic of himself, stat
ing that he stood perfect in school, exhib-
iting merits TO prove his assertions. He
told OF his service as clerk for Hon. Dosh
Massengale. his commentator as a cit
izen from his old employer, though he
differed with him in politics. He declar-
ed that early I'm life Rev. z. A. Steed
stated that he believed Mr.. Watson to be
a great boy, helped him TO college where
he lived in the mess hall, cheaply, had
a scholarship from the Jesse Mercer en-
dowment given him and then to think
that in old Columbia county the place Of
Continued on page Three