Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-09-28
SENATOR WATSON'S INITIAL
POLITICAL SPEECH DESCRIBED
BY LUCIAN LAMAR KNIGHT
State Convention of 1880
Thrilled by Brilliant Speech
of the Budding Young Ora
tor I

The advent of Thomas E. Watson
into Georgia politics is described by
Lucian Lamar Knight, state histo-
rian, in his "reminiscences Of Fa-
nous Georgians" under the heading
1.-THE Gubernatorial Convention OF
1880 and the advent of Tom Wat
son." Mr.. knight says:
Besides ending in the schismatic
rupture which gave the state two
recommended Democratic candidates
for governor, the famous guberna-
torial convention Of 1880, incident
ally evolved a bit Of oratory which
constituted the maiden address on
the political stage of an eloquent
young Georgian whom the fates had
decreed was to become, eventually,
one Of the foremost tribunes Of his
time, Thomas E. Watson.
1.-The future young statesman
from McDuffie had already provoked
the accents Of prophecy by his cleo.
trical eloquence on less conspicuous
platforms. Before. leaving Mercer
university in the early '70's there
were many wise seers who were
able in large measure to forecast
his life's work from the rich table
Of contents FURNISHED by his under
graduate achievements. On the local
stump, and in the courtroom, he
had already commenced to gather
his budding laurels and now, with
still another month to spend before
reaching the age Of twenty-four, he
was about to become one of the cen
trail figures Of the stormiest conven-
ton scenes which the annals OF
Georgia had ever furnished, except
ing alone the great debate over Sc
ceSsion in 1860"
His Maiden Speech
Mr.. knight then proceeds to des-
cribe the situation in the convention
Of 1880 which was the inspiration of
Mr.. Watson's maiden political
speech. The convention was presided
over by Colonel l.. M. Trammell,
who, according to Mr.. knight, in his
"reminiscences" Notwithstanding
Scylla and Charybdis which threat
ened him on either side, managed
without provoking partisan demur-
rers to expedite the business OF the
convention with marvellous dis
patch" TIL IRE were five candidates
before the convention for gubernato-
rial honors, Alfred H. Colquitt, Ru-
Lucius J. Gartrel and Hiram War
ner.
Governor Colquitt was seeking re-
election at the hands of the party
which had honored him with the
highest executive office in the state
four years BEFORE" says Mr.. knight,
but unfortunately an administra-
ton Of unusual strength had been
exposed to some censure on account
of recent occurrences. Governor Col
quit was in no wise implicated but
his administration was nevertheless
assailed."
Continuing, Mr.. knight recites
that the Colquitt forces on the eve
ming before the convention, in order
to prevent the possibility of a schism,
as well as to secure the moral ad-
vantage arising from such a course,
adopted the two-thirds rule. A dead
lock developed. In order to check
the unexpected entrance Of dark
horses, Judge D. A. Vason secured
the adoption of resolution that no
man should be voted for who had
not first been nominated, and that
no man should be nominated who
had not first been consulted. During
the long deadlock DR.. H. H. Carlton,
of Athens, proposed that a commit
tee of two from each Of the five
parties at interest be appointed to
name a compromise candidate. This
proposal was refused by the Colquitt
forces and charges were made that
the anti-Colquitt men were violating
the traditions of the party in refus-
ing to acquiesce in the popular
verdict. At this point Mr.. Watson
offered a resolution proposing that
twelve delegates be appointed, six
Colquitt and six anti-Colquitt to sug-
gest a compromise candidate. The
resolution was defeated by the major
ity representing the Colquitt forces,
and it was then that Mr.. Watson
made the speech which first brought
him before the public politically.
Vast Assembly Thrilled
'Mr. Watson's motion was lost"
it Is reported by Mr.. Knight, in
his "reminiscences, "but his speech
was heard amidst the widest reign
Of excitement. Boyish in face and
figure, he recalled the dramatic ap-
pearance of Mr.. Stephens in the
Georgia legislature of 1885. 1t was
only for the briefest that he occu-
pied the floor, but he thrilled the
vast assembly; and before his speech
was concluded, every one realized
that anothe tribune had arisen. He
spoke with rare good humor as
well as with Intense fire, and he
voiced his protest with an utter
ance whose clear ring throughout
the hall seemed almost to revive
the accents Of the Swedish Night
engale.
"'Sir,' exclaimed he, I am tired
Of hearing the cry of generosity
when see no generosity. I am
tired Of the cry of harmony when
I see no harmony. I have not come
here to be fattened on chaff or
filled with taffy. Naughter) You
might as well attempt to gain flesh
m t. !