Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-24
HENRY WATTERSON,
NOTED EDITOR, DIES
AT FLORIDA HOTEL
Continued From Page /.

commented on and copied by the
press of the nation. Besides his pow
er in molding public opinion through
his editorials, Colonel Watterson's in
f1uence is credited with having
shaped the platform of the Demo
cratic party in more than one preSi-
Dental campaign.
1t was perhaps through an acct.
dent that Henry WatterSon pursued
journalism. Early in life he evinced
unusual musical talent and his par
ents encouraged it. A mishap that
crushed his left thumb, leaving that
member stiff, caused the musical ed
ucation to be abandoned, as the
piano was his favorite instrument.
A natural bent for writing devel-
oped, but even in this Mr.. WatterSon
was seriously handicapped, as an ill
ness in infancy had affected his Wis
ion. His first journalistic experience
was gained on a Washington, D. c..
newspaper as musical and dramatic
critic. His father, Harvey M. Wat
terson, for twenty years preceding
the outbreak of the War Between
the States, was a representative III
congress from Tennessee. 1t was
during this time Henry Watterson
knowledge of national affairs, he
spending much of his time associat-
ing with party leaders of that period
and in close contact with the opera
ton of the government.
Colonel Wattersons course in let
tiers and Journalism in the national
capital was interrupted just as he at
tanned his majority by the outbreak
of war; With his father, he opposed
the secession movement, but upon
the declaring of hostilities, he return
ed to his Tennessee home, and joined
the army of the Confederacy. He
serN ed throughout the war, except
for period of ten months, when he
established and operated at Chatta-
nooga, Tenn, 1.-THE Rebel" a semi
military paper.
Aide to General Forrest
Mr.. Watterson served first as an
aide to the famous cavalry leader,
General Nathan Bedford Forrest,
and later was on the staff of General
Leonidas Polk.
During the campaign between Gen
erals Sherman and Johnston, voting
Watterson was chief of scouts of the
Confederate army.
1.-THE Rebel instantly achieved
great popularity. The paper was
outspoken and Independent, forecast
ing in many things the Louisville
CONFECTIONERY, a lineal descendant,
to follow it within a few years.
Abraham Lincoln was said to be
the great passion of Colonel Waiter
sons life. His lecture on Lincoln"
was delivered in hundreds of cities,
and it was his pride to tell of calling
1inn01n tho inc of hic in
auguration and Of standing beside
him at the ceremony.
Let no southern man point his
finger at me-" Mr.. Watterson said,
because I canonize Lincoln, for he
was the one friend we had at court
when friends were most in need"
When Colonel Watterson founded
the Journal he made a plea for har-
mony in the South. Thoroughly re-
constructed himself. he urged all to
follow his course in complete sub
mission to the federal government.
Mr.. Watterson always advocated q
Tariff for Revenue Only" a phrase
which he coined, and which finally
was adopted by the Democratic par
ty. He was an ardent friend OF
Grover Cleveland during the latter's
first administration as president, but
opposed Cleveland's third nomina,
ton.
His service as a public official
was confined to a fractional term
in congress. He accepted a seat there
in 1867 at the wishes of Samuel
j. Tilden, with whom he was close
ly allied. Mr.. Watterson refused re-
nomination for the full term. Ere
quently urged to run for high Of
fees he always refused maintain
ing:
II shall stay where T am. Of
flee is not for me. Beginning in
slavery to end with poverty it is
odious to my sense of freedom"
Opposed Bryan in 1896
From 1872 to 1892, however, he
sat in all national conventions of
the Democratic party as a delegate
at-large from Kentucky. He pre-
sided over the convention that nomi
mated Tilden in 1876, and was chair
| man of the platform committee in
those. of 1880 and 1888.
Mr.. Watterson opposed William
Jennings Bryan in his candidacy for
president in 1896, but in 1900 the
Courier-J Journal gave him lullewarm
support. In 1908, however, what
Mr.. Watterson denominated as the
"free silver heresy" being "as dead