USA > Georgia > A school history of Georgia. Georgia as a colony and a state, 1733-1893 > Part 6
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MEXICAN WAR.
Calhoun. Volunteer corps went from all parts of Georgia and fought nobly.
12. Colonel James McIntosh was killed in this war. Captain Hardee, General William Walker and Lieutenant Gardener greatly distinguished themselves and received each a handsome sword from the state of Georgia. Many more Georgians won honor and praise. This war with Mexico ended in 1848, and by the treaty of peace the United States gained the territory of California, Utah, New Mexico and Texas.
13. 1847, the Whigs nominated Duncan L. Clinch for gov- ernor ; the Democrats nominated George W. Towns. Towns was elected. He was a Georgian from Wilkes County ; had been representative from his district, and once been to Congress. William C. Dawson was elected United States senator for six years.
14. Legislature passed an act exempting women from im- prisonment for debt. The railroad system received much attention and several new roads were built. The Western and Atlantic road was now nearly completed to Chattanooga. Zachary Taylor, the Whig candidate, was elected President, with Millard Fillmore Vice-President. President Taylor ap- pointed George W. Crawford of Georgia, Secretary of War. 1849, Governor Towns was again made governor.
QUESTIONS. - 1. In what condition was the Union in IS40? What of the Cherokee lands in Georgia? How many children were at school ? 3. What of the railroads? What was Georgia's population ? 4. What was the cause of great excitement? Tell of the Democrats and Whigs. Who was sent to the Senate from Georgia? 5. When was McDonald re-elected ? What chiefly occupied him ? 6. What act was passed? Who were admitted to this asylum? Who made an important discovery this year? 7. What of the next election for governor ? What is said of Craw. ford? S. Whom did Georgia send to Congress? Tell of the Presidential election. What of Crawford's re election ? 9. What is said of Lumpkin ? Who were his associates? 10. What interested the state now? What part did Georgia take in the Indian war? 11. What request was granted in 1847 ? 12. Who was killed and who distinguished in this war? 13. Tell
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
of the next election for governor. What of Towns? Who was made senator? 14. What act was passed by legislature? What of the rail- roads? Who was made President, and who appointed Secretary of War? When was Governor Towns elected ?
CHAPTER XXI.
ADMINISTRATIONS OF COBB AND JOHNSON.
I. The slavery question was at this time beginning to attract much attention, and was rapidly assuming an alarming phase. The Northern people were growing more and more active in their opposition to slavery, and a majority of their representa- tives in Congress were more uncompromising in their demands upon the Southern people. The question at issue at this time was whether slavery should be permitted in the new states and territories of the West, and many Northern congressmen went so far as to say new states should not be admitted to the Union unless their constitution prohibited slavery. This question was one of the main causes of the war between the states that began in 1861 and terminated so disastrously for the South.
2. At this time (1849-50) Howell Cobb of Georgia was speaker of the National House of Representatives, and used his efforts and influence, along with Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, Alexander H. Stephens, Robert Toombs, and other notable men, to make a peaceful settlement of the question pertaining to slavery, and to preserve the union of states as it then existed.
3. In July, 1850, President Taylor died, and the Vice-Presi- dent, Millard Fillmore, succeeded to the office of President of the United States. In the same year Henry Clay introduced in Congress a bill known as the "Omnibus Bill," and its several measures were enacted. It admitted California as a free state ; it abolished slavery in the District of Columbia ; it provided
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ADMINISTRATIONS OF COBB AND JOHNSON.
for the passage of a law for the arrest and return to their owners of fugitive slaves ; and ordered that $10,000,000 be paid to Texas for the territory of New Mexico.
4. The Georgia congressmen supported this bill, as it was the best that could be done. But there were many people in Georgia who were opposed to such a compromise, and the re- sult was a general chang-
ยท ing of political parties and the formation of two new political parties in the state, one called the Union party, under the leader- ship of Howell Cobb ; the other, the Southern Riglits party, led by Charles J. McDonald. Governor Towns called a state con- vention, which was held in December, 1850. This convention adopted reso- lutions prepared by a com- mittee of which Charles J. Jenkins was chairman, which were afterwards known as the "Georgia platform." This platform expressed Georgia's love Howell Cobb. for the Union, regret for the slavery agitation, insisted on maintaining the separate rights of the State, and agreed to accept the "Omnibus Bill" as a compromise of the question in dispute.
5. In 1851 Howell Cobb was nominated for governor by the Union party. He was opposed by Charles J. McDonald, the candidate of the Southern Rights party. Cobb was elected by a large majority. The people of Georgia then believed that
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
the slavery trouble would be settled, and they were unwilling to use extreme measures in politics, or even to vote for any candidate who was in favor of the state's leaving the Union. Secession was at this time regarded as a remote possibility, and a dangerous step for the state.
6. Howell Cobb was born in Jefferson county, Georgia, September 7, 1815. His father was John Cobb of North Carolina. He graduated at the state university, in Athens, began the practice of law in 1836, was elected to Congress in 1842, and served four terms in all. In 1850 he was elected speaker of the National House of Representatives, and in 1857 was appointed Secretary of the Treasury, by Buchanan. He was a strong Union man until Lincoln's election, and when his native state seceded he promptly enlisted in the confederate service, served through the war and died in New York city, October 9. 1868. He was one of the most notable men that ever lived in the state, an orator, a statesman and a Christian gentleman. He served as governor only one term of two years. The Georgia Academy for the Blind was founded during Governor Cobb's administration.
7. In 1853, the politics of the state had so changed that the Demo- cratic party, which had been in the background for several years, was reorganized, and put forward Herschel V. Johnson as their candidate for governor. Charles J. Jenkins was - his opponent, but Mr Johnson was elected. He was born in Burke Herschel V. Johnson. county, Georgia, September 12, 1812. He graduated at the Georgia University, and began the practice of law in Augusta. In 1847, he was appointed United States senator, to fill the unexpired term of Walter T. Colquitt. In 1849, he was elected judge of the Superior Courts of the Ocmulgee Circuit, and rose rapidly into the favor of the public.
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ADMINISTRATIONS . OF COBB AND JOHNSON.
S. 1855, Governor Johnson was again nominated and elected governor. His opponent was Garrett Andrews. During Governor Johnson's administration more political changes were taking place in the state. The old Whig party had been practically dissolved, and most of the Whigs had allied them- selves with the Southern Rights party and the Union party. Then a new party, called the American party, had sprung up, and nominated Garrett Andrews for governor, but as already stated, he was defeated by Governor Johnson. This American party favored the exclusion of persons foreign born holding political office.
9. After the expiration of Governor Johnson's second term, he was, in 1860, nominated for the Vice-Presidency on the ticket with Douglas. He was a member of the Confederate Senate, and after the war was over was chosen as United States senator, but was unable to serve on account of his political disabilities. These being removed he was appointed a circuit judge, which position he filled with great ability until his death, which occurred in Jefferson County, Georgia, August 16, ISSO.
10. The state was generally prosperous during Governor Johnson's terms of office, and much progress was made in wealth and population. But the slavery question was still being agitated by the northern people and the cloud was slowly but surely growing larger and more threatening. All classes of northern men who were opposed to slavery combined and hield a convention in Philadelphia, in June, 1856, and organized the Republican party. They declared themselves as opposed to slavery in any of the territories, and nominated John C. Fremont for President. The American party nominated Millard Fillmore. The Democrats nominated James Buchanan, who was elected. But the anti-slavery party was growing stronger and stronger.
QUESTIONS. - 1. What was now attracting great attention ? What is said of the Northern people? What was the question now at issue? What is said of the main cause of war? 2. What is said of notable men
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
of Georgia ? 3. Who was made President? What bill was introduced in Congress? 4. How did Georgia receive this bill? What two parties were formed? What convention was called, who was chairman, and what resolutions were passed ? 5. Tell of the election of IS51. What did the people of Georgia believe? What of secession ? 6. Tell of Howell Cobb. 7. What is said of the politics of the state, and who was elected governor? What is said of Johnson? S. What is said of Johnson's second adminis- tration? 9. What other offices did he hold ? I0. What was the progress of the state under Johnson? What is said of the slavery question ? When was the Republican party formed? What of the presidential election ?
CHAPTER XXII.
ADMINISTRATION OF BROWN.
1. In 1857 there were five candidates before the Georgia Democratic convention for the nomination for governor. They were James Gardner, John H. Lumpkin, Hiram Warner. Henry Lamar and William H. Stiles. The balloting continued three days, but though Lumpkin was in the lead he could not ob- tain the two-thirds vote that was necessary to nominate him. Finally, a committee of three men from each district was ap- pointed to make a nomi- nation. This committee agreed upon Joseph E. Brown, as a compromise candidate, and he was nominated by the conven- tion. The American party also held a convention, and Dr. H. V. M. Miller
Benjamin H. Hill.
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JOSEPH E. BROWN
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ADMINISTRATION OF BROWN.
and Benjamin H. Hill were candidates for nomination. Mr. Hill was nominated, and although the race between him and Brown was exciting, Brown was elected governor by a large majority.
2. Governor Brown is one of the most remarkable men that ever lived in Georgia. He was born in Pickens County, South Carolina, April 15, 1821, and was the oldest of eleven children. His parents were poor, and when Joseph was a small boy they moved to Union County, Georgia. Joseph grew up without education, and the whole of his boyhood was passed in a hard struggle against poverty, with no advantages whatever, and without any opportunity for seeing or learning anything beyond the limits of his father's farm. But he was diligent and self-reliant, and in 1840 went to South Carolina to school, and paid his own board and tuition out of the little money he had saved and the little he could make while he was going to school. He wasted no time, he improved every opportunity, and with no help except his own pluck and a brave heart, has risen higher and higher, for he has been the most prominent man in the state, and filled every office that the state could give him. He is now (1893) seventy-two years old, and has retired from public life.
3. Governor Brown was admitted to the bar in 1845 -- then elected to the state Senate - then Judge of the Superior Courts of the Blue Ridge Circuit -then governor. It is related that the nomination for governor was totally unexpected by him, and that he was actually binding wheat in a field on his farm when the news of his nomination was brought to him. He was but little known to the people of the state when nominated, but during the canvass he became well and widely known, and was elected by a large majority.
4. Governor Brown's first term was marked by his fight against the state banks, to compel them to pay out gold and silver instead of paper money. They resisted, but the governor was successful and carried his point. He also overhauled the
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
affairs of the Western and Atlantic Railroad, which was (and is) the property of the state. Under bad management, the road was earning but little money, and there was much complaint. During the first two years of Governor Brown's administration the revenues of the road paid into the state treasury increased from $43,000 to $400,000 a year.
5. In 1857 Robert Toombs was re-elected United States senator. In 1859 Warren Akin, of Cass (now Bartow) County, opposed Governor Brown for the office of governor, but Brown was again elected by a large majority.
6. The next presidental election was drawing near. The agitation and excitement over the slavery question was rapidly increasing. The northern people and their newspapers began to openly demand the abolition of slavery. The Republican party had grown in numbers and influence until it was clearly evident that the battle would be between the Democrats and Republicans. Just at this time unfortunate divisions began to appear in the Democratic party in Georgia. The National Democratic Convention was to be held in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 6, 1860, to nominate a candidate for President.
7. The Georgia Democrats split into two factions. One faction wanted Howell Cobb as its candidate for President; the other expressed no choice, but consented to accept the delegates that had been named by the Cobb party. Mr. Cobb, however, had declined to permit his name to go before the convention as a candidate for the nomination for the Presidency. When the convention met in Charleston, there were so many conflicting interests and opinions that the committee appointed to prepare a platform of principles split into three factions and three reports were presented to the convention. The Northern delegates were in the majority. and adopted resolutions that caused some of the Southern delegates to withdraw from the convention. The Georgia delegates were among those who withdrew.
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ADMINISTRATION OF BROWN.
8. These seceding delegates held a meeting and called another convention to meet in Richmond, Virginia, in June, 1860. The remaining members of the Charleston conven- tion, being unable to agree among themselves, adjourned to meet in Baltimore in June, 1860. The Republican party held their convention in Chicago, and nominated Abraham Lincoln for President.
9. In the meantime the Democrats in Georgia were greatly divided and could not agree upon any unity of action. So when the Baltimore convention met, there were two Georgia delegations, each claiming to be the proper one. There was so much contention and confusion that the delegates from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and Oregon withdrew from the convention, but those who remained nom- inated Stephen A. Douglass for President, and Herschel V. Johnson for Vice-President.
10. The delegates who had seceded from the convention then held a meeting and nominated John C. Breckinridge for President and Joseph Lane for Vice-President. So the Democratic party was split into two parts, and went into the campaign with two candidates in the field. Then there was a party called the Constitutional Union party, which held a convention at Baltimore, and nominated John Bell for President and Edward Everett for Vice-President. With four candidates for the presidency, and the northern states greatly outnum- bering the south in population, the election of Lincoln was the inevitable result.
QUESTIONS. -- I. Tell of the nomination for governor in 1857. Who was elected? 2. What is said of Brown's career in race second? 3. When did he secure his nomination? 4. What marked Governor Brown's first term? What of the state road? 5. Who was made senator, and who re-elected governor ? 6. What was increasing? What did the North- ern people demand? What of the Democratic convention? 7. What is said of Georgia Democrats? What did Cobb refuse? What is said of the Northern delegates? What of the Georgia delegates? S. What did these delegates do? What of the Republican party? 9. What of the
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Democrats in Georgia? What effect had the confusion? Who was nomi- nated? 10. What did the delegates do who had seceded? What other party is spoken of? What was the result of the election ?
CHAPTER XXIII.
WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
1. The platform of the Republican party was ostensibly the preservation of the Union, and the exclusion of slavery from the territories and new states; but there was a strong sentiment in the north that slavery should be abolished, and it became evident that the northern people were determined to carry out their views, at any cost, even to war and bloodshed. The tide of feeling was growing stronger every day. The southern states were greatly alarmed at the situation, and the only thing they could do was to withdraw or secede from the Union, in order to manage their own affairs under their own laws. South Carolina seceded first, December 20, 1860.
2. Governor Brown had the Legislature call a convention to decide what was best for Georgia to do. This convention assembled January 16, 1861, and was composed of the best and ablest men in the state. Secession was bitterly opposed by many of the best and most conservative statesmen - among them Alexander Stephens, Herschel V. Johnson and Benjamin Hill. These men were firm in their convictions of the right to secede, but did not deem it the proper remedy. They desired a convention of all the southern states so as to take joint and co-operative action. On January 19, 1861, a vote was taken and resulted in favor of secession. Georgia came out of the Union as an independent and sovereign state. Immedi- ately there was the wildest excitement throughout the state. Troops were organized, speeches made, bonfires burned, and men, women and children were enthusiastic in their determi
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WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
nation to resist northern oppression and interference, to the bitter end.
3. At this time the state was in an exceedingly prosper- ous condition. The taxable property amounted in value to $650,000,000. The population was 1,057,000, of which 462,000 were negroes or slaves. Business was flourishing, and the people were entirely unprepared for the great and terrible changes that the war was destined to make in their condition.
4. When South Carolina seceded, Governor Brown saw that matters were assuming a critical aspect and at once ordered Colonel Lawton of Savannah, to seize Fort Pulaski, at the mouth of the Savannah River. The fort was taken possession of January 3, 1861, and immediately put in good order. So this fort was seized before the state of Georgia seceded; but the governor dared not wait till after Georgia had withdrawn from the Union, for fear the Federal authorities would strengthen the fort and make it very difficult to capture it.
5. As soon as the state seceded, Governor Brown, with that energy and decision of character that have always marked him, at once seized the arsenal at Augusta, which was full of military stores belonging to the United States government, and in charge of Captain Elzey, of the United States army, with eighty soldiers. Captain Elzey at first declined to surrender, but seeing that he could not resist the 800 Augusta troops ordered against him, finally marched out with his men and Governor Brown took possession on January 23, 1861.
6. These were the first instances of hostility or of resistance to the United States government, and to Governor Brown belongs the honor of taking the first bold and effective step in support of the policy determined upon by his state. The Georgia members of Congress resigned and came home.
7. On February 4, 1861, the states that had seceded called a convention at Montgomery, Alabama. Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida and Alabama were represented. The convention elected Howell Cobb as presiding officer.
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
Jefferson Davis was elected President, and Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia, Vice-President, of the new association of states, called the Confederate States of America. Davis was formally inaugurated on February 4, 1861, and on March 4, 1861, Abraham Lincoln took his seat as President of the United States.
S. President Davis's first act was to send a committee of three men - Crawford of Georgia, Forsyth of Alabama, and Roman of Louisiana - to the Federal government at Washington city to try and make a peaceful settlement, but they could do nothing. Virginia tried to have the trouble peacefully adjusted. and even called a peace convention at Washington, and thirteen states sent delegates ; but nothing was accomplished, and the war clouds grew darker and darker.
9. The states that had seceded followed Georgia's lead and had taken possession of all- the forts and arsenals in their limits, except Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. Confederate companies, regiments and brigades had been organized, and General Beauregard was in command. He called on Major Anderson, the United States officer in command of Fort Sumter, to give up the fort. This Major Anderson refused to do. The Confederate cannon then began to bombard the fort, which surrendered after hard fighting. The attack on the fort caused the greatest excitement everywhere, and Lincoln at once made a call for 75,000 troops to put down the "rebellion."
10. Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas and North Carolina quickly seceded and joined the Confederate states. But the odds were heavily against them. There were only 9,000,000 people in the seceded states, against 22,000,000 in the northern and western states. The North had everything - foundries, factories, ships, men - the South had practically nothing except land and slaves - the latter a source of constant apprehension and anxiety. Both sides were doing their utmost. and bringing soldiers to the chief seat of war. which was, naturally, in Virginia, near the boundary between
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ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS.
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WAR BETWEEN THE STATES.
the two sections. The Confederate government was transferred from Montgomery to Richmond, and the war began in earnest.
QUESTIONS. - I. What was the platform of the Republican party? What strong sentiment is spoken of? What effect did this have on the Southern states ? What state first seceded? 2. What did Governor Brown do? What is said of secession, and by whom was it opposed ? Of what were these men convinced? What vote was taken, and when did Georgia secede? What effect did this have in the state? 3. In what con- dition was the state ? 4. What did 'Governor Brown do upon the secession of South Carolina? When was this fort seized ? 5. What was done when Georgia seceded? What did Captain Elzey do? 6. What is said of Gov. erner Brown's promptness? 7. When was a convention called, and by what states? What elections were held, and what name given to the states ? When was Davis inaugurated? 8. What was Davis' first work ? What was the result? 9. What is said of the states that had seceded ? What of the forces for war? What fort was attacked, and what effect did it have at the North? 10. What other states now seceded? What is said of the difference in the forces? What comparisons are made between the North and South ? What did both sides try to do? What of the Confederate government ?
CHAPTER XXIV.
WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. - CONTINUED.
I. The first great battle was that of Manassas, Virginia, on July 21, 1861. The Federals, or " Yankees," as the Southern people called them, were utterly defeated, losing 3000 men and many cannon, guns and other equipment. The Confeder- ate loss was 2000 men, among them many brave officers. Georgia lost General Francis Bartow, for whom the name of Cass County was changed to Bartow County. After the battle both sides renewed and more troops were sent forward, and the fighting continued.
2. In the fall of 1861 Judge E. A. Nisbet was nominated for governor, but Governor Brown was elected by a handsome
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THE HISTORY OF GEORGIA.
majority. Ben Hill and Robert Toombs were elected senators to the Confederate Congress. But Mr. Toombs declined and went into the army as a brigadier-general and Dr. John W. Lewis was appointed senator by Governor Brown. At the close of 1861 Georgia had sent fifty regiments of soldiers to the army. The state had responded promptly to all demands made by the Confederate government, and the war spirit was stronger than ever among the people. During the year 1861 the Confederates were generally victorious, and the future looked full of hope and promise for the success and final independence of the Confederate states in spite of the heavy odds against them.
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