The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1907-1917, 1913-03-06

years; we knew hlm when he
was a leader in the Demo-
cratic party, and did magnificent
work with his brains and eloquence
to rid Georgia of vile Republican
rule. The most brilliant speeches
we ever heard delivered were made
by Tom Watson and George Pierce,
the latter a grandson of Bishop
Pierce, in the large hall above the
market house in Augusta, Ga. The
announcement that these brainy
young Democrats would address the
voters Of Augusta brought people
there from hundred or more miles
around, the hall was packed almost
TO suffOcatiOn. Had Watson re-
manned in the Democratic party
there is no Office within the gift of
his people but he could have had.
He is not only an eloquent, but
vigorous speaker, and in joint de-
bate is the peer of any man. He once
invaded South Carolina and had
Joint debate with Gen NJ. c.. Butler,
considered one Of the finest speakers
then in the old Palmetto State, and
he literally wiped the ground with
his antagonist. Watson defended
the principles Of the Farmers Ali
ance and Butler attacked them.
Tom Watson is a man of strong
convictions and prejudices. He is
true and loyal to his friends, but Will
resort to any ends to carry his point
or crush an enemy. We have al
ways believed that these traits car
ried Mr.. Watson into the Populist
party.
Mc':nl'e And Livingston at that
time d>*z>ja;2ring the Alliance, had
made a deal to elect Pat Calhoun,
who figured SO cOnspicuousIy in that
San Francisco trolley line scandal,
to the u. S. Senate and defeat Cen.
John B. Gordon for rc-clcetion Gen,
Gordon had repudia ed tie Alliance
demands, and the Legislature to
choose his successor was overwhelm-
1ngly controlled by The Farmers AL
lance. Watson had championed all
tie Alliance demands, and naturally
thought he was tEa right man to sue
ceed Gen. Gordon. Watson charged
that IfcGnne and Livingston had
sold ont tc Pat Calhoun, and bitterly
aeGai-ed them. Not being able to
defeat these men as leader of the AL
P0mlliat party and carried also the
T@Ek and file Of the Georgia farmers.
But by SO doing he spun his political
winding sheet, for the Democrats in
that State controlled the ballot box
es, they bought up the negro vote,
and the Pops were beaten at every
election, Tom Watson losing his seat
in Congress. Gen. Gordon was re-
elected to the U. S. Senate by only
one vote. Livingston remained in
the Democratic party and repre-
scented the Atlanta district in Con-
gTcEs for some eighteen years.
Tom Watson we believe to be
t thoroughly honest and absolutely in
corruptiblo. In every election it has
been charged that Watson sold out
TO the Republicans, but not one scin-
tilla Of evidence was ever produced
to prove this. On the other hand,
to show the falsty OF any such
charge, Watson, has bitterly fought
In after contests the very men he
was charged with selling out to.
There is no reason for Watson to sell
his eloqLence or popularity. He
owns several Of the finest farms in
McDuffie and adjoining counties in
Georgia, and his rents alone from his
lands are over 400 bales Of cotton
year. Besides Watson has a large
revenue from the sale of his books,
and when in the active practice of
law made princely fees. We have
ViGiFr1 him nt his homo in Thorn