USA > Alabama > Reminiscences of public men in Alabama : for thirty years, with an appendix > Part 38
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
In 1844 and 1845, he was again elected to the House, and at the latter session, he devoted much of his time, and all his ener- gies and influence, in behalf of Wetumpka, as the most eligible place, in his opinion, for the Seat of Government, after its removal from Tuskaloosa. Many ballotings took place after the passage of the bill authorizing the removal. He put Wetumpka in nomina- tion; other gentlemen brought forward Mobile, Selma, Montgom- ery and Tuskaloosa as competitors for the honor. Every time the roll was called, the clear-toned voice of Col. Rose was heard for Wetumpka. When combinations were formed, either express or implied, between the friends of different localities, there was no compromise[on his part --- no abandonment of his favorite; and at
368
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
length, when he stood firmly almost alone, and his neighboring town of Montgomery was rising like a young giant in the race, he, almost alone, gave the last sound for Wetumpka. Had he succeeded, he would have gained probably not less than $200,000 by the increased value of his town property, and the adjoining lands, most of which belonged to him.
Col. Rose had read much, was well informed on many subjects, and had an ample fund of common sense, which was better than all in the practical aims of life. He frequently shared in the de- bates, was even eloquent at times, and always interesting. Though a married man for thirty years, or more, he was childless; and in discussing a measure which touched the domestic relations of men, and the education of children, he ventured to express sentiments, .very proper in themselves, but which provoked the retort that he had no experience on the subject, as no heir had been born to his name and fortunes. He replied that it was the best argument in favor of his competency to advise where he was not personally interested; that Providence often denied children to men, that they might devote themselves more exclusively to the public wel- fare. Washington, Madison, Jackson and Polk had no children, yet they were great men, true patriots, and capable of advising. The humble member from Coosa finds himself in good company, and is not anxious to be one of the multitude of common men whose greatest and, perhaps, only success in life, is in contributing to the population. He preferred a different prosperity, and a dif- ferent record of fame. The House was amused at his witty re- joinder.
Col. Rose was a Democrat of the old Jackson school, and was opposed in every shape, and under any pretense or provocation, to breaking up the Government, and I question if any man in the State was more opposed in heart and expression to the act which took Alabama out of the Union. He indulged a good deal of vio- lence in his feelings and denunciations of men, and especially of the politicians whom he distrusted. This indulgence ended in extreme bitterness, which rendered him unhappy in the evening of life. He retained confidence in but few men, and two or three of these were made his executors, with good legacies.
It was believed throughout the war that Col. Rose had a large sum of gold. For this he was not troubled until about the time of the surrender. When everything was in confusion, and no law was enforced, a band of armed men went to his house and de- manded his treasure, which he refused to give up. They applied a rope to his neck, and suspended him to a beam, hoping thus to alarm him, and get the desired information; but they were mis- taken in their man. Though the painful operation was repeated twice, with threats of instant death, he refused to yield them any
369
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
favor, and so they had to leave him, without accomplishing their wicked purpose. Col. Rose possessed strong points of character, and was a man of mark in the early days of the State, and even to old age. The loss of his very large property by the war, or at least a considerable portion of it, preyed upon his spirits, and prob- ably hastened his death in 1866.
JOHN C. WHITSITT, of Sumter, was a North Carolinian. His first session in the House was in 1843. He was a merchant, and possessed fine business qualities, which led to success in life. Though rarely engaging in debate, he was a useful member, bring- ing a sound judgment and great business capacity into action in the councils of the State. Nature had given him a good face,. upon which beamed a pleasant smile of recognition whenever he met his friends, that never failed to please.
After the session of 1843, Major Whitsitt withdrew from public life until 1851, when he was again elected to the House, and reelected in 1853, which was his closing service in the Legislature. His health had become infirm, which prevented his longer contin- uance in public life, and he died during or about the close of the war.
GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, of Henry, was a native of South Car- olina, and a graduate of Columbia College. He was a fat, jolly man, with a young face and a bald head, which gave him a notable appearance. His profession was that of the law, and he used to visit some of the courts in Georgia, near the Chattahoochee, where in his younger days he had a fair practice, and where his mirthful qualities made him quite popular. At one of these courts, the subject of conversation, in a group of gentlemen of the bar, of which Mr. Williams was one, happened to be on the highest forms of politeness and good breeding, when Judge James Polhill related an instance which he thought could not be surpassed.
A Kentucky drover had sold a number of mules to Judge Huger, of South Carolina, and as the dinner hour was at hand, the rough, but honest Kentuckian was invited to dine with the Judge. It was customary then, as it is now, at the tables of many families of great wealth, after the course of meats, and before the wine and the dessert appeared, to have a bowl of water taken by a servant to each person at table, to relieve the fingers from any incumbrance or impurity while handling the soup, or greasy sub- stances. On this occasion, the servant took the bowl of water first to the Kentuckian, who supposed it was intended to quench his thirst; whereupon he raised it to his mouth and drank heartily. To prevent embarrassment to the guest, Judge Huger ordered the servant to bring the bowl of water to him, out of which he sipped,
24
370
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
and in this manner it went around the table, the elegant young ladies and their mother all refreshing themselves out of the same bowl of water. It was then taken away, and not a smile or a look was seen to disturb the innocent composure of the Kentuckian. No fingers were bathed at the table on that occasion. Every per- son present at the telling of the story, admitted this to be an act of genuine politeness, and none but a nobleman by nature could have set the example.
This story brought out the experience of Mr. Williams at a dinner party given by Gov. Taylor to the students of the College. As luck would have it, young Williams sat at a corner of the table, which induced the servant to bring the water to him first of all the guests. Never having heard of finger-bathing at table, and believing the water designed for internal refreshment, he drank out of the bowl, after which he perceived a tittle among his fellow-students, which was fully explained when the next one dipped his fingeas in the water, and daintily dried them with the napkin on the servant's arm. Here was trouble, real agony to poor Williams, who would have been glad for a hole in the floor through which he could suddenly have disappeared from his tor- monters. But finding no such relief he blushed and suffered through the long dinner ceremony. There was no Judge Huger there, nor any disciple of nature's nobility, he said, to drink after him out of the bowl, and save his wounded sensibilities. The in- cident affords a beautiful lesson, and, on this account, it is here re- Jated, in the notice of Mr. Williams.
The political majority in Henry county, where Mr. Williams resided, was strongly Democratic, while he was a Whig. ' For- tunately for him, he had some little private capital to fall back upon, gained in the Indian war of 1836, in which he had exhib. ited much bravery, and this enabled him to squeeze into the Leg- islature occasionally, though at every session in which he served his course stirred up such objections at home, that he had to be quiet for several years before he could again take the field with any hope of success, Hence, his visits to the Capitol were few and far between, until at length his independence of character was better understood, and a partial impunity was granted, to make any political demonstrations he pleased in the Legislature, without being held to a rigid account by the majority of his con- stituents, who liked the man but hated his politics. Close atten- tion to their local interests, and general faithfulness, gained him a. more permanent footing in the elections, and hence his appear- ance at the Capitol, in the latter years of his life, was more fre- quent. Between 1837 and 1863 he was elected many times, and was ever the same humorous wag in and out of the House, who. amused his friends and expelled the blues from everybody who
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama. 371
shared his society. His supply of stories and anecdotes appeared to be inexhaustible, and his taste in relating them was peculiar to himself. He was strictly an original, formed on no model, and without an imitator.
During his intervals of service in the Legislature, Mr. Wil- liams was elected Judge of Probate of Henry county, in which office he served a while. His death occurred in 1865 or 1866.
An instance has been given, while noticing the resolutions of Mr. Howard relative to a horizontal tariff, of the turn of merri- ment in Judge Williams whenever an opportunity was offered in the House, whether at the expense of political friend or adversary. He possessed a warm heart and generous feelings, without any particular breadth of talents. His social nature and indulgences brought upon him a habit which showed itself too plainly upon his intellect and tastes in the latter years of his life, and which no doubt brought him to his grave long before age had marred his mirthful physiognomy.
CHAPTER XXII.
Presidential Canvass, 1844-The Legislature-Senatorial and Judicial Elections -Personal Notices.
The year 1844 was one of excitement, discussion and effort in the political arena, relative to the election of President and Vice- President of the United States. The excitement began to slow itself in the Winter of 1843, and was increased by the visit of Mr. Clay to New Orleans, and his journey through Alabama and other Southern States to Raleigh, where he had an engagement with the Whigs of North Carolina, to be present on the 12th of April, his sixty-seventh birthday, which they intended to cele- brate by a mass-meeting, and by every demonstration of popular favor. During his stay in New Orleans, as the guest of Dr. Mer- cer, I had an opportunity to see him for the first time, in Feb- ruary, and a few days thereafter I witnessed his reception in Mobile. Anticipating his arrival, hundreds of his ardent friends and admirers had visited the city to see him; but as he was taken in charge by a lady, of whose husband (Dr. Levert) he was the guest, he was inaccessible to the masses of the people, who were greatly disappointed.
-
372
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
In a day or two, however, it was announced in the newspapers that Mr. Clay would give a public reception to his fellow-citizens, at the Mansion House, between certain hours. At the time appointed, the large room was filled with visitors anxious to get a glimpse of the great statesman. Gov. Gayle and Gen. Desha officiated in the ceremony of introduction. All seemed highly pleased with the urbanity, ease and grace with which every one was made to feel at home. There was no feeling of restraint after getting his eye, or hearing a word from his lips.
Afterward, at the Waverly House, he met a committee of twenty gentlemen from Tuskaloosa, who had been deputed to invite Mr. Clay to the Seat of Government, when he was ad- dressed by Robert Jemison, Esq., chairman of the committee. A large number of persons were present, including the writer. Mr. Clay briefly and courteously replied, declining the invitation, as its acceptance would be a departure from the rule which he pre- scribed to himself not to deviate from the main route of travel, lest his journey might assume the aspect of an electioneering tour, which it was not intended to be. Both speeches, and the partic- ulars of the interview with the committee, were next day pub- lished in the "Advertiser," a Whig paper, then edited by C. C. Langdon, Esq. Of course, the reception in Mobile was noticed by all the Whig papers in the State, which awakened an enthu- siasm peculiar to the influence of Mr. Clay over the Whig party.
During the few days Mr. Clay remained in Mobile, the writer had the pleasure of passing an hour or two in his company at the residence of George G. Henry, Esq., and of hearing him con- verse in a social group of friends. His manner was truly cap- tivating.
This visit of Mr. Clay inspired his friends in Alabama with confidence in his election, as the party had united on him as the first choice for President. The National Whig Convention met at Baltimore on the 1st of May, and, amid a large attendance of delegates, and great enthusiasm, he was unanimously nominated by acclamation. To show that Mr. Clay himself believed that success was certain, he used this language to the committee who notified him of the action of the Convention:
Confidently believing that this nomination is in conformity with the desire of a majority of the people of the United States, I accept it from a high sense of duty, and with feelings of profound gratitude.
This announcement was received by the Whigs throughout the Union by general rejoicing, and the campaign fairly opened with the usual machinery of Clay Clubs and mass conventions to influ- ence the public mind. In the meantime, the Democratic party. held a National Convention, about the first week in June, when
373
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
the first regular dispatch ever sent by telegraph in the United States was that from Baltimore to Washington, forty miles, an- nouncing the nomination of James K. Polk for the Presidency. The Whigs looked upon it as a fearful letting down, and virtually giving the field to Mr. Clay, without anything like a stubborn contest. They sneeringly inquired, "Who is James K. Polk?" Events gave a very emphatic response through the Electoral Colleges.
It is not my purpose to notice in detail the leading features of the campaign in Alabama. Both parties worked hard, and put their ablest men as writers and speakers in requisition to gain the victory on their respective sides. Perhaps no canvass was ever conducted more earnestly, and with more talent. It was the last contest for the Presidency which was decided upon the broad platform of principle. Others have been mere imitations, with planks and platitudes for all nativities, for all sections, and all for one purpose-party success. I speak not as a politician, but as an observer.
The Presidential election came off on the second Monday in November. In those days there were no telegraphs and express trains organized through the country, and it required a week or thereabout, for the mail to come from Washington to Tuskaloosa. From Montgomery, if not from Columbus, it was conveyed en- tirely in coaches. The votes of all the States had been heard from, except New York, which would elect the candidate for whom it was cast. The delay in hearing from that State was painful. To increase the suspense, the returns from Western New York were kept back by the floods two or three days. Then it was that Cayuga Bridge became so prominent a topic of remark and speculation. It was said by the Whigs, who claimed to know something of localities, that whoever crossed the bridge from the west with a majority, would gain the day, and that Mr. Clay was sure of that majority with a margin. So they talked and hoped, and so the Democrats disputed the premises, until finally the stage from Greensboro, just about sundown, brought news of the final result, on the 16th of November, which scattered the group of Whigs who had collected at the Washington Hall corner (Duffee's Hotel) and they were seldom seen upon the streets for several days afterward. It is said that many of them wept, and even some of the strong men were taken ill, and kept their rooms a considerable time under medical treatment.
The vote for President stood, 170 Electors for Polk, and 105 for Clay. If New York, with her 36 votes, had supported the latter, he would have received 141 votes, against 134 for Mr. Polk. The Whigs complained that the election was carried by fraud in the city of New York, where, it was alleged, that to
374
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
secure the majority of 5,000 votes in the State which elected Mr. Polk, they naturalized about 13,000 foreigners contrary to law. Of this charge, however, there has been no reliable proof, and the suggestion is merely here as a passage in that memorable contest.
On the night of the 16th November, there was a torchlight procession, with music and banners, amid the firing of cannon by the Democrats of Tuskaloosa. Next morning, in passing the streets where the artillery played its part, a Whig editor saw that the burnt wadding was of newspapers, and from curiosity picked up a fragment, when he discovered that the cartridges had been wrapped in the numbers of his paper published in 1840, contain- ing articles in opposition to Mr. Van Buren, and of rejoicing at his defeat. Such was the revenge, which the editor himself admitted to be just and reasonable, as he had gone to great lengths in assailing the character and principles of Mr. Van Buren, and in offending many of his supporters. A better spirit has since pre- vailed.
LEGISLATIVE.
The elections in Angust, 1844, resulted in a large Democratic majority in both Houses of the Legislature, which met on the 2d December.
The Senate was organized by the choice of Col. N. Terry for President, without opposition. For Secretary, the vote stood, for Pleasant Hill, 24; for Samuel C. Dailey, 5 votes. Jennings F. Warrast was elected Assistant Secretary, and A. R. Thomas, Door- keeper.
In the House, Mr. A. B. Moore, and Mr. Robert Jemison were placed in nomination for Speaker, resulting in the election of the former by a vote of 56 to 28. Joseph Phelan was elected Clerk ; A. B. Clitherall, Assistant Clerk; W. C. Bibb, Engrossing Clerk, and James H. Owen, Door-Keeper.
The talent of the two Houses was fully up to that of the last session. Some changes had been made in the Senate-Sampson W. Harris, Esq., taking the place of Mr. Yancey, who had been elected to Congress; Edward S. Dargan, Esq., succeeding Gen. Toulmin, elected, at the close of the last session, President of the Branch Bank at Mobile; Archibald Gilchrist, Esq., in place of Dr. Berney; and Judge Sidney C. Posey, in place of Gov. Mc Vay. The Chairmen of the principal committees of the Senate were the following:
On the Judiciary, Mr. Walker, of Benton;
On Federal Relations, Mr. Walthall, of Perry;
On the State Bank and Branches, Mr. Dargan, of Mobile;
On Education, Mr. Watkins, of Monroe;
On Propositions and Grievances, Mr. Creagh, of Clarke.
375
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
In the House many new members had been returned. A num- ber of the old Representatives, of talent and experience, were included, and the new ones, in character and qualifications, formed rather an accession of strength. The Chairmen of the leading . committees had been arranged by the Speaker as follows:
On Ways and Means, Mr. McClung, of Madison;
On the Judiciary, Mr. Clemens, of Madison; On Federal Relations, Mr. Phillips, of Mobile; On the State Bank and Branches, Mr. Peter Martin; On Education, Mr. Norman, of Franklin ;
On Internal Improvement, Mr. Dunn, of Mobile;
On the Military, Mr. Walker, of Lawrence;
On Propositions and Grievances, Mr. Jackson, of Autauga.
On Tuesday the annual message of Gov. Fitzpatrick was com- municated to both Houses, and in the Senate 1,000 copies were ordered to be printed. This document occupied about sixteen pages of the printed Journal.
BUSINESS OF THE SESSION.
The Governor's message, by appropriate reference, had gone to the several committees, and the regular business of the two Houses was fairly under way. The leading measures related to the Banks, and the best means of making collections of the large indebtedness, which began to exhibit a fearful amount of insol- vency. Other interests of the State, however, received proper attention, upon which able reports were made by committees. These generally were of such length as to preclude their insertion here, however interesting at the time, and even now, as the land- marks of a former generation of legislators and constituents.
The apportionment of Senators and Representatives was made upon the State census of 1844. As usual, this was a somewhat difficult question to settle, as the gain or loss of power generally leads to a contest between those who are interested on the one side or the other. The counties of Randolph, Chambers, Talla- poosa, Talladega, Coosa, Macon, Russell and Montgomery gained nine Representatives, at the expense of Jackson, Madison, Law- rence, Sumter, Pickens, Bibb, Mobile, Monroe, Tuskaloosa, etc. Besides bills of a general nature which were acted upon, there was much business of a local character, and altogether it was a working session.
In the House, on the 17th December, the special order for 12 o'clock was taken up, which was the report of Mr. Phillips from the Committee on Federal Relations, in the following words:
The Committee on Federal Relations, to whom was referred tho resolutions of the States of Georgia and Connecticut on the subject of repudiation, have unani-
376
Reminiscences of Public Men in Alabama.
mously instructed me to report that they have given the subject of the resolutions an attentive consideration, and in full view of the heavy debt under which this State now struggles, and the onerous taxation necessary to its protection, they are yet firm in the belief that the citizens of Alabama will redeem the plighted faith of the State at any and every cost.
The Committee therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions : 1. Resolved, That the preservation of National faith is the only guaranty for stable government; that its violation leads to the dissolution of the political com- pact, and amidst anarchy which denies all obligations but such as force imposes, the great truth will be again proclaimed, that a people to be prosperous must be virtuous.
2. Resolved, That in the possession of a territory rich in mineral resources, admirably adapted to the culture of the great staple of the South, abundantly supplied with water power for all manufacturing purposes, provided in an extra- ordinary degree with the commerce of accessible markets, and blessed with every variety of soil and climate, the people of Alabama are not only willing but able to maintain the high honor and credit which the State has always enjoyed.
3. Resolved, That this State concurs in the resolutions of the States of Georgia and Connecticut, denouncing the repudiation of debts by the States; and that the Governor be requested to forward a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the Gov- ernor of each of the several States, with the request that he would cause the same to be laid before their respective Legislatures.
A division of the question being called for, it was first taken on the adoption of the first resolution-yeas 96, nays 0. The second resolution was then adopted-Yeas 100, nays 0. The third reso- lution was also adopted-yeas 86, nays 14.
The basis question was again brought up, but in a different form. Massachusetts had adopted resolutions on the subject, which were laid before the Legislature, and upon which Mr. Phillip Phillips, of Mobile, Chairman of the Committee on Fed- eral Relations, made a report of considerable length, of which the first paragraph is here given:
The Committee on Federal Relations, to whom was referred the resolutions from the State of Massachusetts, proposing to amend the Federal Constitution by striking out that portion of the third clause, second section, first article, which apportions representatives and direct taxes, by adding to the free white inhabit- ants " three-fifths of all other persons," together with the replies of the States of Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia; also, resolutions of the State of South Caro- lina, in relation to the agent sent by Massachusetts to reside within her borders to litigate the right of that State to prevent the ingress of free persons of color- deeply impressed with their serious import, have bestowed on them a calm and solemn consideration, and without division, either in feeling or opinion, have instructed me to recommend the adoption of the following report and resolutions :
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.