The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1922-01-03
DEATH ENDS CAREER
OF COL. WATTERSON
Continued From Page II
fill his Mace"
Fast Fading School

SuIlOIi'tS, WITH lHeII VI I+4!4oIllr OiiS4-
nal and phrase making composition,
attracted wide attention. They were
commented on and copied by the press
of the nation. Besides his power his
molding public opinion through his
editorials Watterson's influence is
credited with having shaped the plat
form of the Democratic party in more
than one presidential campaign.
1t was perhaps through an acci-
dent that Henry Watterson pursued
journalism. Early in life he evinced
unusual musical talent and his par
ents encouraged it. a mishap that
crushed is left thumb, leaving that
member stiff, caused the musical ed
ueation to be abandoned, as the piano
was his favorite instrument.
A natural bent for writing develop
ed, but even in this Mr.. Watterson
was seriously handicapped as an i'll
ness in infancy had affected his vi
sion. His first journalistic experience
was gained on Washington Cd. .CO
newspaper as musical and dramatic
critic. His father, Harvey NJ. Waiter
son, for 20 years preceding the out
break of the Confederate war, was
representative in congess from Ten
nessee. 1t was during this time Hen
nv Watterson laid the foundations
for an elaborate knowledge of na-
tional affairs, he spending much of his
time associating with party leaders
of that period and in close contact
with the operation of the government.
Watterson's course in letters and
Journalism in the national capital
was interrupted just as he attained
his majority by the outbreak of war.
With his father, he opposed the seces-
sion movement, but upon the declar-
ing of hostilities he returned to his
Tennessee home and Joined the army
Of the Confederacy. He served
throughout the war, except for pc
Rod of ten months, when he esta'5-
ilshed and operated at Chattanooga,
Tenn, The Rebel, semi-military pa
per.
Mr.. Watterson served first as an
aide to the famous cavalry leader,
Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest, and
later was on the staff Of Gen. Leon
idas Polk.
During the campaign between Gen
erals Sherman and Johnston, Waiter
son was chief of scouts of the Con-
federate army.
The Rebel instantly achieved great
popularity The paper was outspoken
and independent, forecasting in many
things the Louisville Courier-Journal,
a lineal descendant to follow it with
in few years.
Abraham Lincoln was said to be
the great passion of Watterson's life.
His lecture on Lincoln" was deliver
ed in hundreds of cities and it was his
pride to tell of calling on Lincoln the
morning of his Inauguration and of
standing beside him at the ceremony.
ssLet no Southern man point his
finger at me-" Mr. Watterson said,
'Foecause cannonize Lincoln, for he
was the one friend We had at court
when friends were most in need"
When Watterson founded The Jour-
nal he made a plea for harmony IN
the South. Thoroughly reconstructed
himself, he urged all to follow his
course in complete submission to the
federal government.
Mr.. Watterson always advocated a
'ttariff for revenue only" phrase
which he coined, and which finally
was adopted by the Democratic par
ty. He was an ardent friend of Gro
yer Cleveland during the latter HrSt
administration as president, but op-
posed Cleveland's third nomination.
Brief Term in Congress
His service as public official was
confined to a fractional term in con-
gress. He accepted seat there IN
1857 at the wishes of Samuel j..
Tilden, with whom he was closely al
lied. Mr.. Watterson refused renon-
nation for the full term. Frequent
ly urged to run for high Office, he al
ways refused, maintaining:
81 shall stay where l am. Office is
not for me- Beginning in slavery to
end with poverty it is odious to my
sense of freedom
From 1872 to 1892, however, he sat
at all national conventions of the
Democratic party as delegate at
large from Kentucky. He presided
IL O n