USA > Georgia > Floyd County > Rome > A history of Rome and Floyd County, State of Georgia, United States of America; including numerous incidents of more than local interest, 1540-1922, Volume I > Part 16
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H. A. Gartrell, Esq .- Mr. Editor: Please allow us to announce the above named gentleman as a candidate for Solicitor General of the Tallapoosa Circuit. MANY VOTERS.
Rome Market Nov. 7 .- Cotton is a little dull-101% cts. may now be con- sidered the top of the market.
Unofficial Vote of Floyd Co .- The following statement, though not offi- cial, will probably not vary more than two or three votes from the exact re- sult :
127
LINCOLN'S ELECTION FORETELLS HOSTITITIES
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STATE
9
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AFRICA
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SOUTH AMERICA
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128
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
Precincts.
Bell. Breck. Doug.
Rome
462
360
160
N. Carolina
55
66
21
Barker's
15
41
6
Livingston
26
50
0
Flat Woods
22
8
5
Cave Spring
64
60
34
Wolf Skin
63
60
34
Watters
70
39
6
Chulio
51
22
10
Dirt Town
4
35
13
Etowah
18
0
1
Total
848
756
286
We have compared the above with the official vote and find it accurate.
Card .- Mr. Editor: I desire through the city papers to return my sincere thanks to the merchants for refusing to sell spirituous liquors on the day of the election, but more espe- cially to those gentlemen engaged in the retail business. They closed their doors and did no business whatever. It was asking a great deal of all, it being a public day and a good one for that trade, but they made the promise and adhered to it with fidelity. To them we are mainly indebted for the peace, quiet and good order that prevailed throughout the entire day. Respect- fully. H. A. GARTRELL,
Mayor City of Rome.
Polk County .- A gentleman who left Polk County on Wednesday morning informs us that all the precincts but two had been heard from, and Bell was 66 votes ahead of Breckinridge. Doug- las' vote would probably be 100.
Chattooga County .- Sufficient l'e- turns have been received to make it certain that Bell will carry this county by a large plurality, probably 100 or more.
Delegates .- F. C. Shropshire, Z. B. Hargrove and M. Dwinell have been appointed to represent the Rome "Light Guards" in the Military Con- vention to be held in Milledgeville on next Monday.
The End .- The contest is over and it may be that the destiny of this gov- ernment is sealed. It now becomes us to hope for the best, but at the same time be making preparations for the worst. We do not wish to intimate that it is necessary to be organizing military companies, or enrolling minute men in case Lincoln is elected, with the expectation of immediately fighting our Northern enemies; but our prepa- rations should be constitutional and lawful in their character with a deep and unswerving determination to
maintain our rights in the Union if possible, out of it if we must. The course pursued by the South should be firm and determined, but so clearly right and unavoidable for the main- tenance of her honor and essential in- terests that there shall be no division among her own people, but that all as one great harmonious whole shall in thunder tones demand not only of the North but of the entire civilized world a recognition of her clearly defined and unmistakable rights.
While no spirit of base submission should be encouraged or even tolerated, yet at the same time any course of rash or precipitating conduct would be equally reprehensible and injurious to the prospects of our section. There are many men in the South who have for a long time believed that our sa- cred rights and untarnished honor cannot be maintained in the Union; and that it is both the interest and duty of the South to effect a separation as soon as possible. Many of these men are among our most wealthy, tal- ented and most highly respected citi- zens, and they are as conscientious in their convictions of duty as any class of men in the country.
This class of persons, however, we believe is comparatively small and that the great mass of the people still cling to the Union, firmly believing that the Constitution will be enforced and the rights of the South maintained. This being the case and it being well known to all that these differences exist, it be- comes the representatives of each of these classes of opinions to be courte- ous and kind to the other and studi- ously avoid anything like crimination or the impugning of their motives. No class can rightfully arrogate to them- selves all the patriotism or chivalry or that they are more ready to make per- sonal sacrifice upon the altar of our section than others who do not agree with them as to the best plan of se- curing the greatest permanent good of us all.
We have said this much to be, per- haps, of service in case that Lincoln is elected, because, if that is the case, we desire above all things to see a united South, and that the deliberations of our section should be characterized by high-toned statesmanship that may re- sult in cool deliberations and harmo- nious action .*
As it Should Be .- The election in this place passed off as quietly and peace-
*This editorial and others like it caused Geo. T. Stovall to resign as associate editor of The Courier and buy the Southerner and Advertiser.
129
LINCOLN'S ELECTION FORETELLS HOSTILITIES
ably and with as much good nature as possible. Every grocery was closed, and we did not hear of an angry quar- rel or see a drunken man in Rome on that day. Many men were much ex- cited but their deep interest was ex- hibited rather by their calm but firm determination than by noisy outbursts and senseless criminations of their op- ponents. The beautiful quiet that pre- vailed in our city was indeed a fact to be proud of, and we most sincerely hope that the same good sense and high ap- preciation of dignity and decorum will always prevail on similar occasions.
There were nine hundred and eighty- two votes polled at this precinct, which is nearly two hundred more than at any previous election .- Nov. 8, 1860.
To Whom it Concerns .- All indebted to us must pay immediately or be sued. JONES & SCOTT.
The Vote in Ga .- Of the 44 counties heard from, the vote stands: For Bell, 20,483; for Breckinridge, 18,863, and for Douglas, 6,918.
The Presbyterian Sabbath School will hold its anniversary next Sabbath afternoon at 3 o'clock in the Presby- terian church. Exercises-short ad- dress and singing. All are respect- fully invited to attend.
Gordon Co. Vote .- Bell, 481; Breck., 874; Doug., 97.
(Communicated.)
· Notice .- All men, without distinc- tion of party, who are opposed to Abo- lition domination, and in favor of re- sisting the same in such manner as the sovereignty of Georgia may order and direct, are requested to meet at the City Hall in Rome on Monday, the 12th inst., at 2 o'clock to consider what course interest, duty and patriotism require them to pursue as good citizens and true Southerners.
We are requested to publish the fol- lowing ticket for Mayor and Council- men :
FOR MAYOR DR. T. J. WORD FOR COUNCILMEN First Ward FRANK AYER J. C. PEMBERTON
Second Ward O. B. EVE A. J. PITNER Third Ward WM. RAMEY JOHN R. FREEMAN
The Die Is Cast .- The great strug- gle is over and our worst fears arei re- alized. Abraham Lincoln, the sectional candidate, who was nominated and supported to a large extent because of his hostility to the institutions of the South, has been elected by a fair ma- jority. The present indications are that he will surely get 158 votes, and possibly 169, whereas 152 would elect him.
And now this state of circumstances, for which the great mass of the people are almost entirely unprepared, sud- denly bursts upon them, and demands at their hands an immediate solution of a most difficult political problem and one that will probably forever fix the destiny of all this fair land of ours. The idea of Lincoln's election has been frequently talked about, it is true, but it has always seemed to be at vague distance with its hideous de- formities, and has rather existed as a creature of the imagination than as one that could possibly have a reali- zation in the practical working of our Government.
But hard as it may be to appreciate the hateful truth, yet it is a fact, and with unmistakable sternness it stares us in the face. The issue is upon us and we have got to meet it. Every man in Georgia has got a solemn duty to perform and it is one that by its im- mense magnitude makes small all the other acts of his life. What shall be done? is now the question of awful im- port that hangs upon the mind of every thoughtful man. Various plans for relief have already been proposed and they each have their advocates who ap- ply themselves with zeal and earn- estness. Discussion is altogether right and proper, and is probably the most effectual method of bringing out the truth and correct principles. But there is one thing that should always actu- ate men in the discussion of any sub- ject if they would be profited-that they should be as willing to receive truth as to impart it. Our relations to the general government are very complicated and few men can at glance take in all its various bearings and dependencies and it may be that a course of conduct supposed to be ad-
mirably adapted to our present exi- gencies would be proved to be entirely impractical because of the want of some necessary element that had been overlooked. Let us then not be rash or inconsiderate, but calm, cool and deliberate and in a free and friendly manner counsel with one another in regard to these momentous questions.
130
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
The recommendation that has al- ready been made, that a State Con- vention should be called immediately, we most fully approve and hope the Legislature will at once issue a call for delegates from every county. We would suggest the number of delegates be the same as the number of Senators and Representatives in the Legislature. Let such men as Joseph Henry Lump- kin, Chas. J. McDonald, Alex H. Ste- phens, Wm. Law, Robt. Toombs, Her- schel V. Johnson, Hines Holt, Hiram Warner and others of experience and wisdom compose this Convention and the people will be almost sure to rat- ify their action, whatever it may be.
Things He Can't Do .- Bad as he may be to our institutions, there are many important things Lincoln can- not do. As the Congress now stands, there is a majority of eight against him in the Senate, and, if the recent telegraph reports are correct, 23 in the House. It will be remembered that all the appointments of Cabinet offi- cers, Ministers to foreign courts, Con- suls, Custom House officers, and all other offices of any considerable trust or profit in the United States have to be filled "by and with the advice of the Senate." The President recommends men for all these various places, but their appointment is not complete until confirmed by the Senate.
The Black Republicans will not be able, of their own strength, to carry a single bill through either House of the next Congress and it is thought by some that in less than a year, even if Lincoln should be allowed to go on with his administration, that his party would be torn to pieces by its own in- herent fanaticism and corruptions. But yet it may be better to secede than to suffer the disgrace of a Black Re- publican rule. If Georgia so decides in her sovereign capacity we shall go with her, heart and soul .- Nov. 10, 1860.
Mr. Dwinell :- Please announce the following as the People's Ticket for Mayor and Aldermen for the ensuing year, and oblige,
MANY VOTERS. FOR MAYOR Z. B. HARGROVE FOR COUNCILMEN First Ward N. J. OMBERG J. W. WOFFORD Second Ward O. B. EVE JOHN NOBLE
Third Ward A. W. CALDWELL* A. R. HARPER
FOR MAYOR ** DR. T. J. WORD
FOR COUNCILMEN
First Ward W. F. AYER
N. J. OMBERG Second Ward
J. H. M'CLUNG C. H. SMITH Third Ward
A. W. CALDWELL
J. G. YEISER -Nov. 13, 1860.
(From the Rome Southerner.)
Meeting of the Citizens of Floyd County .- Below we publish resolutions and preamble passed at the citizens' meeting held in Rome on Monday, the 12th inst.
The attendance was large and very general from all parts of the county. We believe every district in the coun- ty was represented. We never saw resolutions pass more unanimously or more enthusiastically. To some of the resolutions there was one or two dis- senting voices. Most of them, however, passed unanimously. We were sorry to see even a single person in that large assembly who withheld his as- sent. If there ever was a time when the people of the South should be unit- ed, now is the time. If the Southern States, as one man, or even one or two of them, will show unanimity of senti- ment in opposition to Black Republi- can rule, and even if they withdraw from the Union as the last alternative, no gun of coercion will ever be fired by any power upon the face of the earth. Horace Greeley has already said in his paper, the N. Y. Tribune, that if any of the Southern States leave the Union by a vote of her people, he is in favor of letting her alone!
Every man in the land, old and young, great and small, rich and poor, is interested in this question. Think of it. And if you can't go with your section, for Heaven's sake, and for the sake of your country, don't go against it!
The resolutions :
Whereas, the abolition sentiment of the Northern States, first openly man- ifested in 1820, has, for the last 40 years, steadily and rapidly increased
*Jno. M. Quinn was later substituted. ** Dr. Word was elected.
131
LINCOLN'S ELECTION FORETELLS HOSTILITIES
in volume and in intensity of hostility to the form of society existing in the Southern States, and to the rights of these States as equal, independent and sovereign members of the Union; has led to long-continued and ever-increas- ing abuse and hatred of the Southern people; to ceaseless war upon their plainest Constitutional rights; to an open and shameless nullification of that provision of the Constitution intended to secure the rendition of fugitive slaves; and of the laws of Congress to give it effect; has led many of our peo- ple who sought to avail themselves of their rights under these provisions of the laws and the Constitution, to en- counter fines, imprisonment and death ; has prompted the armed invasion of Southern soil, by stealth, amidst the sacred repose of a Sabbath night, for the diabolical purpose of inaugurating a ruthless war of the blacks against the whites throughout the Southern States; has prompted large masses of Northern people openly to sympathize with the treacherous and traitorous invaders of our country, and elevate the leaders of a band of mid-night as- sassins and robbers, himself an assas- sin and a robber, to the rank of a hero and a martyr; has sent far and wide over our section of the Un- ion its vile emissaries to instigate the slaves to destroy our property, burn our towns, devastate our country, and spread distrust, dismay and death by poison, among our people; has disrupt- ed the churches, and destroyed all na- tional parties, and has now fully or- ganized a party confined to a hostile section, and composed even there of those only who have encouraged, sym- pathized with, instigated or perpetrat- ed this long series of insults, outrages and wrongs, for the avowed purpose of making a common government, armed by us with power only for our protec- tion, an instrument in the hands of enemies for our destruction.
Therefore, we, a portion of the peo- ple of Floyd County, regardless of all past differences, and looking above and beyond all mere party ends to the good of our native South, do hereby publish and declare:
First. That Georgia is, and of right ought to be, a free, sovereign and in- dependent State.
Second. That she came into the Un- ion with the other states as a sover- eignty, and by virtue of that sover- eignty, has the right to secede when- ever, in her sovereign capacity, she shall judge such a step necessary.
Third. That in our opinion, she ought not to submit to the inaugura- tion of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, as her President and Vice- President, but should leave them to rule over those by whom alone they were elected.
Fourth. That we request the Legis- lature to announce this opinion by res- olution, at the earliest practicable mo- ment, and to communicate it to our Senators and Representatives in Con- gress, and to co-operate with the Gov- ernor in calling a Convention of the people to determine on the mode and measure of redress.
Fifth. That we respectfully recom- mend to the Legislature to take into their immediate consideration the pas- sage of such laws as will be likely to alleviate any unusual embarrassment of the commercial interests of the State consequent upon the present po- litical emergency.
Sixth. That we respectfully suggest to the Legislature to take immediate steps to organize and arm forces of the State.
Seventh. That copies of the forego- ing resolutions be sent without delay to our Senators and Representatives in the General Assembly of the State, who are hereby requested to lay them before the House of which they are respectively members.
Obstructions in the Streets .- If it is not the duty of the City Marshall, it ought to be, to see that the rubbish about new buildings, old boxes about the stores, and wood piles everywhere in the streets, should not be left to discommode the public, but should be removed in a reasonable time. There are a lot of old casks in front of Mor- rison & Logan's stable that ought to have been removed long ago, and there seems to be unnecessary delay in re- moving fragments and other obstruc- tions on the sidewalks about several new buildings on Broad Street.
Good Guns .- The arms for the "Rome Light Guards" were received on last Saturday. The guns are the Minie Rifle, that has, we believe, the highest reputation as an efficient weapon in actual service of any gun that has been tried. Only fifty guns are received, and if there are men in this commu- nity who desire to join the company they will do well to make early appli- cation. The company now numbers 45, and is, in every way, in a prosper- ous condition .- Nov. 24, 1860.
132
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
On Jan. 16, 1861, the Georgia counties sent delegates to the fa- mous secession convention at Mil- ledgeville. On Jan. 18, Judge Eu- genius A. Nisbet, of Macon, intro- duced a resolution calling for the appointment of a committee to re- port an ordinance of secession. This brought on a fight and a test of strength between the union and disunion factions. The resolution passed by a vote of 166 to 130 .* At 2 p. m., Jan. 19, 1861, the secession ordinance was passed by a vote of 208 to 89, 44 anti-secessionists vot- ing for the measure to give it force, and realizing that further resist- ance was useless. On this ballot Benj. H. Hill voted for secession, but Alexander H. Stephens and his brother, Judge Linton Stephens, Herschel V. Johnson, Gen. W. T. Wofford, Hiram Warner and oth- er leaders opposed it.
South Carolina had seceded Dec. 20, 1860; Mississippi Jan. 9, 1861 ;
JUDGE JAMES M. SPULLOCK, once super- intendent of the W. & A. railroad and a power in North Georgia politics.
Alabama and Florida Jan. 11, 1861. Consequently, it was felt that Georgia's action would either split or cement the South. The forensic giants were there-a galaxy never seen before or since. Col. Isaac W. Avery gives us in his History of Georgia (ps. 149-50) a correct picture of the scene, and incidental- ly, emphasizes the opposition to secession among the more con- servative type of citizens :
The eyes of the whole Union were upon this most august body. There was an interest in its deliberations that was both profound and wide- spread. It was felt to be the turning point of the real commencement of the revolution. If staid, self-poised, delib- crate, powerful Georgia held back from the work of disintegration, it would have been such a substantial check to the destructive movement would have done much to stop it. Georgia's co-operation rendered the revolution sure. The Federal administration looked anxiously to our State as the crucial agency of the agitation. The people of the North focalized their at- tention upon this arbiter of an impend- ing and incalculable convulsion.
It was known that a majority of the people favored secession, but the ni- nority in favor of co-operation and de- lay was a very large and powerful body of public sentiment, ably and pa- triotically headed. The vote taken in the election for members of the con- vention showed an aggregate of 50,243 for secession and 37,123 against, giv- ing a majority of only 13,120 for im- mediate disunion, out of 87,366. This was a much smaller majority than Gov. Brown had obtained in his last elec- tion.
In many counties the anti-secession- ists had heavy majorities. Such strong counties as Baldwin, Floyd, DeKalb, Cass, Franklin, Gordon, Gwinnett, Lumpkin, Murray, Walker, Walton and others went some of them over- whelmingly against disunion. In many counties it was the closest sort of a shave, giving either way only a vote or two. The most one-sided secession county in the whole state was Cobb, which gave 1,035 votes for and only 7 against disunion. Chatham was also nearly unanimous for secession. In a very few counties no opposition can- didate to secession was run. In Tal-
*Avery's History of Georgia, p. 153.
13
LINCOLN'S ELECTION FORETELLS HOSTILITIES
iaferro and Tatnall no secession can- didate was put up.
These figures will show how much the people were divided on this issue, and yet, in the crazy fever of the war excitement and the more noisy demon- strations of the secession champions, the opposition was almost unheard and absolutely impotent. few brave spirits spoke out fearlessly, and cour- ageously endeavored to stem the rush- ing and turbulent tide of disunion. But the generality of conservative men, feeling powerless to do anything, and unwilling to incur a certain odium that clung to men alleged to be lukewarm or opposed to Southern interests, went quietly along simply voting in the op- position.
The secession convention was the ablest body ever convened in Georgia. Its membership included nearly every leading public man in the State, the leaders of all parties and shades of political opinion.
As for Georgia's contribution in men to the Confederate cause, Col. Avery's history (p. 267) states :
The Second Auditor at Richmond published the following statement of soldiers' deaths to Dec. 31, 1863: Geor- gia, 9,504; Alabama, 8,987; North Carolina, 8,261; Texas, 6,377; Vir- ginia, 5,943; Mississippi, 5,367; South Carolina, 4,511; Louisiana, 3,039; Ten- nessee, 2,849; Arkansas, 1,948; Flor- ida, 1,119.
It was an old custom in Geor- gia to illuminate houses brightly at night on the receipt of good news of a national or sectional na- ture. Consequently, the houses of Rome were lit up, guns discharged and the church bells rung merrily. A few Northern families compro- mised by lighting their candles, and Mrs. Robt. Battey was said to have been the only Southerner whose house was dark. Gen. Brax- ton Bragg soon passed through Rome on a tour of inspection, and meeting Mrs. Battey on Broad Street, said: "I understand Mrs. Battey is a Union woman."
"So I am, General," she replied promptly. "I believe in fighting this war under the United States flag. Southerners were largely in- strumental in founding our Gov-
ernment, and if anybody must get out of it, I say let not the first oc- cupants be the ones to go !"
"You are not far from right, Mrs. Battey," observed Gen. Bragg as he hurried on about his business.
There were many such incidents, and they showed the inherent in- dependence of thought and action of Georgians and the State of Geor- gia-an independence that has al- ways enabled Georgia to assume the initiative among her sister states, and to occupy a conspicu- ous and respectable position in the forum of the nation. Georgians can always be depended upon to fight among themselves (like Bill Arp's Romans-old man Laub and his wife and family), and to get together at a moment's notice to repel any foreign foe, such as In- dians, Yankees, Spaniards, Ger- mans or what not.
During three terms, covering the Civil War, Gov. Jos. E. Brown, one
...
MRS. JAMES M. SPULLOCK, who assisted her husband in the entertainment of some of the most noted men in Georgia.
134
A HISTORY OF ROME AND FLOYD COUNTY
of the most peppery "Rebels" on earth, occupied the gubernatorial throne.
"Cherokee" or Northwest Geor- gia had not long before staged a miniature war with the Indians, and it is significant that the dele- gates from the 21 counties in the Cherokee nation voted 35 against secession to 14 in favor, or 21/2 votes to one :*
County.
Yes.
No.
Cass
3
Catoosa
1
1
Chattooga
2
Cherokee
3
Dade
2
Dawson
2
Fannin
1
1
Floyd
3
Forsyth
1
1
Gilmer
2
Gordon
2
1
Hall
3
Lumpkin
2
Milton
2
Murray
2
Pickens
2
Polk
1
1
Union
2
Walker
3
White
1
1
Whitfield
1
2
14
35
It will be noticed by the above table that Floyd and her neigh- boring counties of Cass, Chattooga. Gordon, Polk and Walker voted six for and ten against. The dele- gates and the way they voted are given below :
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