The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-05-01
PAGE SIX

PAGE SIX
Two Exceedingly Interesting
Letters ON the Georgia Seces-
sion Convention of 1860. Rec
objections of Men Who Were
Present i'm That Historic Body.
WHEN | was preparing that historical
presentation of the conditions and causes
leading up to the Civil War, which was
afterwards published in the book called
Bethany" | sought in every direction, first
hand information concerning GeOrgia's Seces-
sion Convention.
| was particularly anxious to learn the facts
relating to the dramatic incident of the inter
rupted speech of Herschel " Johnson-a
speech which was carrying all before it, in
the forenoon, and which collapsed pitiablv.
after dinner.
In that connection, the letters reproduced
below, were written:
Law Office of
FLEMING G. du BIGNON.
Atlanta Ca, March %, 1903
Hon. Thomas E. Watson,
Thomson, Georgia.
My Dear Sir:
| have your favor of the 26th instant
| was, of course, too young at the time of the
Secession Convention to have now any personal
recollection Of it's proceedings. | recall the fact
that there was such Convention because it was
the first body Of the kind that | ever attended,
l sat for short time my fathers knee during
its deliberations, but of course, recall nothing
that occurred.
After l left college and returned to MilIedge-
Vile to practice law have frequently listened to
very graphic and interesting of this Con-
vention and it's proceedings from old residents of
Mllledgeyllle, all of whom are now dead. The
late p M. Compton, DR. Samuel G. White Col
Miller Grieve and Dr. Herty each of whom
attended the Convention and one or more of
whom, | believe, were delegates to it, have
described to me of it's leading Incidents
Gov Herschel V. Johnson, before the noon
recess, began-according to accounts most
powerful speech against the Ordinance of Seces-
sion and such the apparent effect upon it's
members that those in favor Of Secession became
very solicltous to get him off the floor. He was
asked by some one of these if he would not yield
to motion to adjourn for dinner with the under
standing that he should have the floor as soon as
the Convention reassembled
He consented to this and during the recess, so
the story runs, his opponents in the Convention
succeeded in getting him drunk so that when the
Convention met after dinner he was in no cOndi-
ton to proceed with his speech. He took the
floor, however, and after saying five six times,
Il am planted a rock and earthquake can
not move me- he was induced to take his seat.
The advocates of Secession then had Henry r.
Jackson, of Savannah, to reply He began his
speech by saying that the honorable member from
Jefferson had stated many times that he was
planted on a rock and that earthquake could
not move him: There said he, "let us leave
him and indulge the hope that unlike Prometheus
no vulture may prey upon his vitals." Then in
a short impassioned speech he completely swept
the Convention from it's feet and destroyed COM
pletely the whole effect Of Governor Johnsons
effort of the forenoon.
They also recounted other features of the Con-
venton which | do not now recall and which,
perhaps, would not be of particular interest.
Let me know sometime when YOU are nD this