USA > Georgia > The bench and bar of Georgia: memoirs and sketches. With an appendix, containing a court roll from 1790-1857, etc., volume I > Part 35
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Now, Mr. President, anxious as I am, for one, for the passage of many appropriations contained in this bill, I would never make myself an in- strument or agent in getting through such an amendment as this. When- ever the Constitution is mandatory, and the representatives of the people fail to stand within its prescribed limits, I call for the President to exer- cise his veto, and not let Congress determine and plan the system for the purpose of undermining that sacred instrument. Sir, I look upon that amendment as an evasion, more than an absolute violation, of the Con- stitution; for by it we are sapping the foundation of the Constitution in a mode and manner unknown to the Constitution, and in time it will destroy the dignity of the Legislature and the independence of our Senatorial action. Of that there is no dispute. Now, what are we to do? The President tells you, like a man, " My conscience will not permit me to approve a bill of a character like this, because there are objection- able features in it. Send it back, knock them out, and I will signify my approval of it." No, you say, in the language of the Senator from Tennessee, (Mr. Bell:) there is a combination by which appropriations are put into these bills ; but if you strike out one of them you destroy the whole bill : therefore, it is to get round this that such a proposition is made.
Mr. BELL. I said that all appropriation-bills were got through by a kind of compromise.
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WILLIAM C. DAWSON.
Mr. DAWSON. I stated you correctly. All bills are carried through by log-rolling : it is not on principle. Now, what is the reason ? I ask the Senator from Tennessee why he cannot strike out the appropriation for the Appomattox River. Why cannot you do it ?
Mr. BENJAMIN. Why does not somebody move it ?
Mr. DAWSON. Why do not the friends of the bill, who are so deeply interested in it, move to strike it out ? But the idea is to smooth over the entire arrangements and endeavor to avoid the veto. Now, the object that I have in view is to bring the matter right back to constitutional appropriations, so as to make the bill proper before the President of the United States. That is what I want to do; and I submit to the Senate and the country if this is not the constitutional and only proper mode of proceeding.
Mr. BENJAMIN. If the Senator from Georgia will move to amend the bill by striking out the objectionable features-if he will satisfy us that they are objectionable-I shall vote for it.
Mr. DAWSON. Everybody knows that I am opposed to these general appropriation-bills. I believe them to be unconstitutional. My views on the subject have been well expressed by a Democratic President of the United States; and I have fought side by side with the Senator from Michigan, (Mr. Cass,) upon the question of river and harbor bills, against my distinguished leader, Mr. Clay. And I did it upon no party con- siderations. I did it upon constitutional considerations. Such are my views. Everybody knows that I belong to the Whig party; but I never acted with them loosely on that subject, In speaking of myself, before the last Presidential election I had the honor of being at the Baltimore Convention when General Scott was nominated ; and we put down our position as being in favor of appropriations for national objects, and left it to the sense of propriety and justice of Senators and Representatives here what would make it national. I know there is a great diversity of opinion in any one State. I have described them myself, and I thought every Senator had described them for himself. I am satisfied with the limitation placed upon it by the President of the United States.
'The quotations given will suffice to show the method and ability of Mr. Dawson in debate. He was a vigilant Senator, watching the interests of the whole country. No constituents were ever served more faithfully in the various trusts committed to his charge. Though very attentive to what was passing, and re- strained by no diffidence of character, yet he was not as often upon the floor as a number of other members less qualified to speak. As a matter of curiosity, the author* took the trouble to ascertain what names appeared most frequently in the proceedings, and he here gives the result. The figures in the table signify that the names mentioned may be found on an equal number of pages in the Congressional Globe for the first session of the Thirty- Third Congress, 1853-54.
* See article, " Chronicles of the Government and People of the UnitedStates." in the September No., 1855, (p. 286,) De Bow's Review.
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TABLE REFERRING TO DEBATE, MOTIONS, &c.
IN SENATE. TIMES.
1. Hunter, Virginia ..... 335
2. Badger, N. Carolina. ... 254
3. Weller, California 241 Orr, South Carolina 341
4. Shields, Illinois 202
Haven, New York. 299
5. Cass, Michigan. 190
Campbell, Ohio 266
6. Pratt, Maryland. 185
Clingman, North Carolina .. 256
7. Bayard, Delaware 183 Smith, Virginia 233
8. Douglas, Illinois 183 Richardson, Illinois. 195
9. Rusk, Texas. 168 Bayley, Virginia 173
10. Dawson, Georgia 144 | Phillips, Alabama 123
While in the Senate, Mr. Dawson had for companions and co- laborers John C. Calhoun, Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster, statesmen of a world-wide fame. He had frequent opportunities of witnessing their great powers in debate and in the preparation of measures for the public good. With Mr. Clay he was quite a favorite, both possessing an urbanity of manner never sur- passed, which made their personal relations still more intimate and agreeable.
On the 4th day of March, 1855, the public life of Mr. Dawson terminated with his commission as a United States Senator. He returned home to enjoy the society of his friends and neighbors and the respect of all parties in Georgia.
Here the author takes occasion to introduce several letters which he received from Mr. Dawson, as proof of the friendship of that gentleman. Their acquaintance began in 1828. That the letters were entirely private can be no objection to them. Had they been intended for the public eye, they would in all probability have been more artificial, and the less valued on that account.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
GREENSBORO, July 2, 1832.
MY DEAR SIR :- Will you be so kind as to inquire for a Mr. - , of Twiggs, and if you can find him please see him, and inquire of him how much he gave for the land he purchased of the executors of -, and write me forthwith ? If you cannot see him in a day or two, go to the Clerk's Office, and examine for the deed from the executors of - to -, or any one else. I want the information by the 10th instant. Please attend to it for me, and I will kindly reciprocate the favor.
In great haste, sincerely, your friend, WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
WASHINGTON CITY, March 10, 1853.
MY DEAR SIR :- The documents of the last session of Congress are just being completed-printed : hence my delay in sending you, according to
IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. TIMES.
G. W. Jones, Tennessee. 703
Houston, Alabama 378
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WILLIAM C. DAWSON.
your request in December last. I have directed all mine to be sent to Greensboro. Iam, and have been, unable to attend to my friends, in con- sequence of excessive pain from a felon on my right thumb for several weeks. I am now writing without the use of my thumb. Now, my friend, so soon as you receive this, write to me at Greensboro, reminding me of my promise to send you a copy of all.
Your friend,
WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
GREENSBORO, July 8, 1853.
MY DEAR SIR :- Your letter has not been answered, because it came during my " absent days" on a visit to the great West, where I have been about two months, doing some important private and public business, and playing the agreeable.
To-day I send you the " Constitution," a suitable book for reference ; you will be pleased to have it. It will be followed by documents, as soon as I catch up with my correspondence, which is awfully behind, accumu- lated during my absence. I wish you could see what is before me. You would pity and help me. But S. F. Miller shall not be forgotten, if he will only continue to write me friendly and amusing letters and things as kindly as he always has done; and I beg him to remember that W. C. Dawson is the same man precisely as he has always been, and as full of laugh and fun as he ever was, and likes old friends better than ever. So make no apologies to nie, but fill your letters with fun most freely, and with any thing calculated to make me feel comfortable, or laugh,-if it even be at myself.
By-the-by, begin by letting me know how Jenkins goes about you. HIe gets nearly everybody in these parts. You may also inform me how Dawson stands as Senator : and are the people for his re-election ? About . here the men and the women are all for him. He would like to hear' from you. I know he is sanguine of success, especially if his friends will take an interest.
Thermometer 96, coat off, and it is too hot to think. Dry, and crops distressingly bad ; and I already begin to fear the next year will be a hard year generally throughout the State. My own crop is fair, but it is not good. My health is very good. Your friend,
WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
WASHINGTON CITY, January 15, 1854.
DEAR SIR :- A most beautiful day out ; but my head aches, so as to keep in-doors. Still, you see, I am writing, endeavoring to reduce the bundles on my table, which constantly remind me what has yet to be done. But, as you said in your letter, " look up ; be cheerful as ever :" so here goes.
I will send you the proceedings on the Vice-President's death, when published. I cannot find the proceedings on Mr. Calhoun's and Mr. Clay's death. Should I at last succeed, I will send them.
I wonder if you would like to have a copy of the Census? That you
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will not get until it is bound, and you write me a letter full of news and fun. Is my old friend William Y. Hansell* in your city ?
Stephens is better, and Dawson quite well, except the headache cold. Your friend,
WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPIIEN F. MILLER.
WASHINGTON CITY, February 22, 1854.
MY DEAR SIR :- As it is the 22d day of February, and the ground covered one foot six inches deep with snow, I feel rejoiced that Wash- ington was born,-consequently grateful. The snow makes me cool. Under such influence I choose to answer your provoking, amusing, cun- ning, skinning, complimentary letter. Because you have had your fun with Livingston, is that any reason why you should "poke it" at me, reminding me of what has been done for me,-as much as to say, you " old fogy," I have heard of you for the last twenty years ? Why did you not speak of my military services,-the dangers I have passed, the sufferings I have undergone, to protect my country ? Why, sir, you do not know that at least one day out of six I was without " a cup of coffee" for breakfast, compelled to satisfy my appetite with nothing but bread and meat, and perhaps a little chicken ? Notwithstanding all this, I still kept afloat the flag of my country, and you fail to think of these sufferings when telling me what has been done for me.
And to tell me not to murmur "at publie ingratitude," you letter- writer, you dyspeptie, "you cigar-destroyer," you writing critie, biogra- phical sketcher, and cynical philosopher. "But I will keep my temper," and, if you don't mind, I won't send you any more documents : if you don't behave, I won't do it, nohow : see if I do. You want the Census. I will send them to you. When you get them, I hope you will be suffi- ciently enlightened to do justice to one of the soldiers of your own State, who was defending your liberties and rights whilst you were gently and securely sleeping, or basking, " in the sunshine of security." Don't you feel that you have done me great injustice? Tell me "not to murmur" ! Who cares that I was turned out of the Senate? I don't. But to have my military services forgotten by you, how can I stand it? You must come out in your next letter to me and apologize. If you don't, you must suffer the consequences.
Now, as to that letter to Livingston. Don't become vain, my young friend : it was here before you sent it. Did you suppose that nobody could find out that that letter was a good thing before you told them ? Suppose you did write it : why, it is just as fine as if written by .Junius. Why, Senator - -, with the " Southern Standard," printed in Charles- ton, in his hand, brought it to me, saying, "Dawson, do tell me who wrote this letter. I want to know the man : it is the best thing I have read for many years. It is very excellent." I read it, and found it out, and saw that it was a fine specimen, for style and sarchasm : (you see I put the h to make the word keen,-do you perceive ?) Junius to the Duke of Grafton.
* Much of the time that Mr. Dawson was Clerk of the House of Representatives, Major Hansell was Secretary of the Senate ; and each, no doubt, delivered a thousand messages, with the usual formalities of communication, between the two Houses. Besides, they were intimate personal and political friends.
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WILLIAM C. DAWSON.
So you see, my letter-writer, some people can find a clever thing as well as others, although you did-I had a great mind to tell you of it, because you said nothing about my military services,-so I had. But, 'cause you behaved bad, I won't.
Mr. - has kept the letter, of course charmed with the hidden wit. sarcasm, &c. I spoke of you as a promising young man,-the one to whom Mr. Clay wrote the Tuscaloosa letter about slavery, Texas, &c. Being about my own age, I knew you were comparatively but " an old boy." Your reputation is rising,-no dispute of it ; and there are solid reasons for it. You have a good platform, but not calculated to make one popular with the " distinguished gentlemen" rendered immortal by Livingston's Biographical Sketches. "Think of that, Master Brooke." I will keep this " in pickle" for you, and if you don't " treat me well," you sarcastic epistolatory skinner, I will put it at you.
The aforesaid letter shall not die : it shall be published again for the good it may do. Is that right ? I have written in a hurry, in good humor, if nothing else : so write to me.
I take the liberty of subscribing myself your friend ; but it will injure me if known. WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
WASHINGTON CITY, January 21, 1855.
MY DEAR SIR :- Mrs. Dawson enters, and says, "Judge, why are you writing letters on Sunday ?" " Why, dear, young Dr. Miller, the son of an old friend, wants the post of assistant surgeon in the navy, and has written me for a letter recommending him as such, to accompany his ap- plication, and I must send it off to-day." The letter being written, folded, and sent off, and I begin to write another letter, Mrs. Dawson says, " Why don't you now stop? Who is that to?" " The father of Dr. Miller." " So violate the Sabbath just to gratify the Millers !" " Yes, the old man is grumbling terribly : here are three letters he has written in one day." " What does he want ?" "Documents, books, speeches, pamphlets, &c." " Well, do send him some. But does he read them ?"
Then I was stopped, but said, " I suppose so." So look out for what shall come. I shall send you the "Criminal Codes of Europe," to remind you that "crime exists," although you may have forgotten it, and to let you know it is a crime for you to make a " married man" work on Sunday for you, to keep you from scolding so outrageously. I wish it was in my power : you should read every document I send to you. But I will soon be out of Congress, (oh, ho !) then what will such " Grumbletonians" as you do? Won't you miss Dawson ? Yes, you will; and I don't care if others do, "confound them." They behaved so naughty; and now write to me, and say how sorry they are that "my services are to be lost to the country,"-as if it was my fault ! I will "pester them fellows yet :" see if I don't.
What do you think? At least a dozen-yes, a full dozen-of good, old- fashioned Democrats have written to me that they want me to be Governor, (whew-ew!) and say, "Tea and Coffee" won't hurt me any more. .. Now. did you ever?" But it is all well enough to hear "these sayings" just about the time I am about to depart this life politically, perhaps forever. Oh, what an ungrateful world this dirty ball is,-is it not? Ouly think, the money, the blood, the sleepless hours, the mud and dirt I have been
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in for my country,-spent, spilt and lost; and then-oh, then-think what is to become of me,-"just think of it," and look at me, as happy as a Christian, with an amiable wife by my side, patting my cheeks-yes, my cheeks : I have cheeks yet-and saying, " How happy WE shall be when you get out of Congress, and get rid of answering that big pile of letters, and doing so much work night and day, enough to kill a common man, and then to get no thanks for it, but to be called an 'Old Fogie,' when you are as young as the best of them and can do more work than anybody! Who wants your place ? But who cares ? I don't : do you ?"
We have but little news here. I shall leave the Senate without any personal regrets, and I suppose the world will not be shocked by it. Still, I can but think some persons in Georgia will regret it.
Mrs. Dawson is blessed with great equanimity of temper, and looks on political honors generally as bubbles, empty things. But patriots- such men as you and I-think them something. But enough of this. Write me the Georgia news.
Your friend, WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
SENATE-CHAMBER, January 30, 1855.
MY DEAR SIR :- What do you mean? Do you want to quarrel, send- ing me scraps from newspapers, to "fret me," to make me desire-what? Do you know? Do you mean to put me into "harness" again? Why don't you talk plain, and let me know ? You confuse me, -make me feel "aspirations" when you know I have never felt them. Don't you know it ? Don't you say you don't. If you do, I shall call you a "Know- Nothing." Your "scrap" is quite complimentary, and I have come to the conclusion to let it pass, thinking you did not intend to give cause "for pistols and coffee for two;" for I don't want to travel away just now, as I shall at least hereafter be useful to myself, and perhaps to you.
Democracy is in a "muss," and so is Whiggery. What will be the result, I can't tell. In the confusion Georgia had a chance for a trump, and, if the game be "three up," may turn a "Jack ;" and if Georgia can hold "low" and make the game, she will be "out." And so will I be "out" on the 4th of March, and in the ranks of the "rank and file," and shall take my position in line according to " height," and obey the "drill-officers," unless I shall be considered "muster free" or placed on the "retired list." But, having been dreadfully injured "in the battle of Milledgeville," in January, 1854, am I not, by the laws of Georgia, en- titled to a bounty ! But who cares? If the old soldiers' bill passes Con- gress, I will receive a land-bounty, and will have a "homestead," an old soldier's home. Think of that, "Master Brooke," and poke no more of your fun at me.
I find the only way to keep you at peace with me is to feed you with "documents" until you get dyspepsia. I will soon bring you to that : sce if I don't.
Now, my dear sir, come to business. Write me fully and freely the condition of things politically in Georgia. How are the people divided ? I see I am charged with being a " Know-Nothing." This is caused by my speech against conferring the honors of the Senate on Father Matthew, which had never been done upon any American divine or temperance-man ; by my speech against Kossuth, and refusal to stand up, with hat off, when he and his baboon suite were introduced into the Senate, (Judge Berrien
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did the same thing,) and by my various speeches against giving the public lands to foreigners upon terms more favorable than to native citizens. Now, if these views make me a "Know-Nothing," I am one without knowing it. I don't care if it does. It comes by pursuing my prin- ciples.
I have been "baptized" into no confessions, and as yet admitted into no political church; but it seems I am a Christian,-at least judged so by my acts and independent political course. In the same way I may be called a "temperance-man," because I never " drink to hurt,"-only enough to make me agreeable and feel comfortable. Now, shall I grumble when I am called a "temperance-man?" No, I won't.
I am only writing to amuse you, whilst my old friend, General Cass, is making a "Buncombe speech," and saying he is no aspirant, &c. -
My health is firm, hair on the head, and my whiskers black, all native growth and no black mixture required to naturalize them. Hem ! Some call me "a young filibuster;" but when I pour out my conservative notions, some chap cries out, " He is an old fogic." Upon the whole, like Webster was at one time, I have to exclaim, " Where am I to go?" The Georgia Legislature has decided the question :- " Go back to the post of honor, a private station." I obcy, and shall comply in a few weeks with the decision, pay up the costs, and settle the case. Now, what have you to say? Say it. Your friend, WM. C. DAWSON.
TO STEPHEN F. MILLER.
SENATE-CHAMBER, February 19, 1855.
MY DEAR SIR :- The lightning I see : the thunder will be along presently, no doubt. Having escaped the flash, the noise will not alarm me, as I anticipated it.
Now, my dear sir, as I have an immense number of letters to write, and my imagination is sleeping, I will postpone a full reply to your quizzical letter until I have an opportunity of "lounging it out" with you,-which, I hope, will not be long. But I will say that Wm. C. Dawson has come to the conclusion that he will be placed on the "retired list." Although a young man, the severe wound he received in the Senatorial battle of "'53" in Milledgeville has impaired his usefulness, and the country will not feel much disposed, I apprehend, to call him again into service.
What do you think of it? People will sympathize with a " dying man," whether he is about to depart naturally or politically. I shall file no in- junction ; but my down-hill tendencies may run their course, and by that time I shall consider the policy of spelling up again.
But we are now on "that monstrosity," the Pacific Railroad Bill, and I. must say a word or two. I am in fine health, looking young and cheerful, anticipating sunshine the remainder of my life,-in public or in private life. I will not say a word about my new partner, who is in all things what she ought to be.
I promise "to pounce" on you when I meet you. Your friend, who thanks you sincerely for your very pleasant and amusing letters, &c. &c. WM. C. DAWSON.
These letters afford evidence of the playful disposition of Judge Dawson,-of the goodness and simplicity of his heart. If all that
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he has written to his friends in a similar vein could be collected, they would form a volume of elegant, provoking humor. The memory of such a man, of such endearing qualities is pleasant, yet mournful, to the soul of friendship.
His public life has now been traced to its close, and it was too soon that his mortal career also terminated. Suddenly, and with only a few hours' warning, this distinguished patriot and friend of his race departed this life at his residence in Greensboro, on the 5th of May, 1856.
The announcement took the country by surprise, and melted all hearts. Telegraphic despatches gave the afflicting event the widest circulation. The press everywhere noticed it in terms suited to the standing of the deceased,-of respect for his character and sorrow for his death.
A brief notice of his family will be given. The first Mrs. Dawson died in 1850, leaving a number of children. Judge Dawson remained a widower until November, 1854, when he intermarried with Mrs. Eliza M. Williams, of Memphis, Tennessee.
His eldest son, William Reid Dawson, died while a student at the University of Georgia, in the junior class. The second child was Henry Mounger Dawson, who died at the age of three years. The third is George Oscar Dawson, at this time a lawyer resident in Greensboro, and who has frequently represented the county of Greene in the Legislature. His fourth child was Henrietta Wing- field, now the wife of Joseph B. Hill, of Columbus; the fifth is Edgar Gilmer Dawson, a lawyer, also residing in Columbus, who married the only daughter of the late Dr. William Terrell, of Sparta, so honorably known to the public as a former Representative in Congress,-one of the most intelligent agricultural writers of his day,-a man of great wealth, out of which he established a profes- sorship in Franklin College. The Legislature named a county after him, as an acknowledgment of his generosity and public spirit. The sixthi child of Judge Dawson was Emma Caledonia, who married Edward W. Seabrook, of South Carolina, the nephew of Governor Seabrook of that State. The seventh is Lucien Wing- field Dawson, a lawyer residing in Greensboro, who married Eliza, daughter of George Dent, of Athens.
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