USA > Georgia > The history of the State of Georgia from 1850 to 1881, embracing the three important epochs: the decade before the war of 1861-5; the war; the period of Reconstruction, v. 2 > Part 24
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The next movement that excited sharp discussion, was the report of the Committee on Rules. Judge D. A. Vason was the author of the two regulations that no man should be voted for, who was not nomi- nated, and no man should be nominated whose permission had not been first obtained. This was an innovation upon the ordinary code of gov-
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577
THE FIRST BALLOT.
ernment of conventions, but it was done to prevent the practice of ringing in " dark horses." Judge Harrell, and Mr. Thomas E. Watson, a bright young anti-Colquitt man from McDuffie county, opposed these rules, declaring them " gag law." Judge Vason, a clear-headed, solid gentleman, defended the rules as necessary to prevent disorganizers breaking up the convention. The rules were adopted. An immediate attempt to reconsider the matter was made by Mr. Sam Jemison of Ma- con, a gentleman of unusually fine speaking power, with a fluent, forci- ble diction, and a voice of penetrating quality. He was supported by A. P. Adams of Chatham, and Dr. H. H. Carlton of Athens. J. W. Preston of Jasper, and B. L. Ross of Houston, opposed reconsideration. On motion of E. F. Lawson of Burke, the reconsideration was tabled.
One of the undoubted leaders of this strong body was Hon. Clifford Anderson, who headed the Macon delegation for Col. Thomas Harde- man. He made some brilliant speeches, and showed a consummate readiness in debate. He moved that the members of the convention pledge themselves to support its nominee. J. W. Warren, W. T. New- man, Patrick Walsh and Mr. Jemison supported the motion, which was carried. Mr. Jemison alluded to the "infamous gag," and was promptly called to order by the chairman, when he as promptly withdrew the sharp phrase. Mr. W. J. Head, of Haralson county, boldly declared that he should vote against Colquitt now, and vote against him in October. Irrepressible little outbursts of a heated temper, continuously occurring, indicated that there was trouble ahead. .
The nominations were made with eloquent taste. John D. Stewart, of Spalding, presented the name of Gov. Colquitt ; Mr. Walter R. Brown, of Gen. L. J. Gartrell ; Clifford Anderson, of Thomas Harde- man ; Thomas M. Norwood, of Rufus E. Lester, and Mr. J. N. Jervis, of Judge Hiram Warner. The first ballot was taken amidst profound attention, and the deepest interest. The original alignment of the five little representative armies, was the most important movement of the battle. The vote stood, Colquitt 2083 ; Lester 58}; Hardeman 542 ; Gartrell 17} ; and Warner 11. Nine ballots were taken right straight along on this the second day of the convention. The 9th bal- lot stood Colquitt 209g, Lester 69, Hardeman 50}, Gartrell 143 and Warner 6. Colquitt had crept up a vote, while Lester had gained con- siderably. It was a dead-lock, however, the masses of each division standing firm, while a few votes skipped around.
On the third day occurred two exciting episodes that fired the Conven- tion to an almost uncontrollable pitch. The minority leaders sprang a
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578
THE MEMORABLE SPEECH OF PATRICK WALSI.
subtle ambuscade with masterly sharpness. Dr. Henry H. Carlton, on of the shrewdest of the minority chiefs, proposed that a committee of two from each of the five parties be appointed to go out and select a com. promise nominec. The inequality of this proposition, giving to Judge Warner's eleven supporters the same proportion of committeemen with Gov. Colquitt's nearly two-thirds majority of the Convention, and sub- mitting the rights and preferences of the majority of the body, to an umpire, in which the majority had a two-tenths voice, and the minority an eight-tenths control, was something so immeasurably cool and unreasonable, that it excited a flurry of indignation. It was felt to be an open, glaring declaration of war upon Colquitt, and the an- nouncement of an uncompromising policy of resistance to the will of the majority, so far as his nomination was concerned. It was a charac- teristic act, of the fearless and straight-forward Walsh, to meet this issue clearly and frankly. Rising with cool deliberation, and speaking with a measured, but intense emphasis, he made the most memorable speech of that long and fiery convention. It threw off all qualifications and stopped the parleying. With the characteristic directness of the man, it put the opposition upon the fullest manly notice, and it laid down the end in a remarkable spirit of prophecy. Recognizing that the minority meant a no-quarter war, it accepted the issue distinctly and boldly, in these ringing words.
" MR. CHAIRMAN : Speaking for the distinguished gentlemen whom I have the honor to represent, I will say to the Convention that we have anticipated the resolution intro- duced by the gentleman from Clarke, and that we have conferred and have come to a decision, and the decision is to carry out the voice of the people of Georgia as expressed in nearly two-thirds of the counties of this State [applause] ; and that voice is that Alfred H. Colquitt shall be the next Governor of the people of Georgia [cheers]. I say the people, in order to preserve the integrity of this party and to conform to its usages, have upon this occasion-and this occasion differs from no other State Convention that has been held-sent us here to perform a formal duty. They have passed upon it themselves, and I say we will not be true to the voice of the people if this Convention does not nominate Alfred H. Colquitt ! [continued cheering.] In this great State a majority-nearly two thirds-of the people prevail in that opinion, and the friends of Gov. Colquitt, in a spirit of harmony, in a spirit of peace, and with a liberality that should be admired and appreciated, have deviated from the usages and customs of our party in the past ten years, by adopting the two-thirds rule. But gentlemen say that, in former State Conventions there was no reason why the two-thirds rule should have been enforced, because there was no opposition. Why, sir, so much the more reason for the rule being used at all times in the Democratic party. If it is to be so much respected there was all the more reason why it should have been adhered to in the former State Conventions. But, sir, it was the voice of the men of brains, progress and patri- otism that the rule should be repealed and the majority rule should prevail ! [cheers .!
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THE MINORITY OFFER A LARGE BILL OF FARE.
I say we made these concessions in a spirit of harmony, in order to maintain the integ- rity of the party. But we have come to respect the will of the people, and we do not intend to depart from the city of Atlanta until we have nominated Alfred H. Colquitt ! [great applause.] We have come here to do that if it takes us until Christmas to do it. [Renewed cheering."]
The excitement that followed was indescribable. The motion was tabled and a ballot taken. Mr. Watson then arose and offered the fol- lowing list of gentlemen, and moved that " six delegates be appointed from each faction in the Convention, Colquitt and anti-Colquitt," to select a candidate other than those before the body, stating that he did this to answer Mr. Walsh: Gen. A. R. Lawton, Gen. Henry R. Jackson, Hon. Thomas M. Norwood, Hon. Joseph B. Cumming, Hon. J. C. C. Black, ex-Gov. James M. Smith, Hon. M. H. Blanford, Hon. P. W. Alexander, Hon. Martin J. Crawford, Hon. A. O. Bacon, Hon. Clifford Anderson, Hon. H. G. Turner, Hon. James Jackson, Hon. Augustus Reese, Hon. George Hillyer, Hon. George T. Barnes, Hon. Henry D. McDaniel, Hon. W. H. Dabney, Hon. A. T. McIntyre, Hon. W. M. Hammond, Hon. Milton A. Candler, Hon. David E. Butler, Hon. John I. Hall, Hon. Robert P. Trippe, Hon. Joel A. Billups, Hon. J. H. Blount, Hon. Thomas M. Lawson, Hon. H. V. M. Miller, Hon. N. J. Hammond, Hon. Alexander H. Stephens.
Mr. Watson followed with a bright and most fiery little speech, that swept the minority into a perfect whirlwind of delirium. His sentences came out with a condensed intensity of passion. Among other things, he said:
" Sir, I am tired of hearing the cry of generosity, when I see no generosity [applause] ; I am tired of this cry of harmony, when I see no harmony [applause]. I have not come here to be fattened on chaff, nor filled with taffy. You might as well attempt to gain flesh on corn-cob soup in January [laughter].
" Mr. Chairman, I have said, and I say now, that I am here with no bitterness of partisan rancor. I have fought this much-named gentleman, A. HI. Colquitt. I have fought him honestly. I have advocated Rufus Lester, I have advocated him honestly. But high and serene above them both, above my opposition to Colquitt, above my sup- port of Lester, rises my love, my devotion to my State, like the tranquil star that burns and gleams beyond the reach of the drifting clouds [cheers]. *
" Sir, the gentleman's position means that we must take Colquitt or the party shall be disrupted. Sir, if it must come, let it come [cheers]. We love the party, honor it, are devoted to it, but we will not yield when the gentleman's speech has made it a loss of self-respect to surrender.
"If they will split this Convention, we will be here to the end [applause]; if they will sink the ship, we will remain in her shadow to the last [applause]. We would
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REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO CROWD OUT COLQUITT.
deprecate it. We would deplore it. But if she can only be saved on terms as unmanh as these, then-
"'Nail to the mast her holy flag, Set every threadbare sail, And give her to the god of storms, The lightning and the gale.'"
[Great applause.]
The effect upon the combative and heated minority was electrical. From all parts of the hall they crowded up to him to shake his hand and congratulate him. Mr. T. W. Akin followed with a spirited appeal. Upon motion of Mr. Walsh, the resolution was laid on the table, and Mr. Joseph stirred a shout of laughter with this motion: " I move the mole- hill now come to the mountain."
Among the ablest heads of the minority was Mr. Josiah L. Warren, a fine speaker, a rare talker, an affluent humorist, an unsurpassed political manager and an unsparing opponent of Colquitt. He rose and with a soft diplomacy said it had been the purpose of the minority to present the olive branch of peace, and they stood ready to unite in friendship on some standard bearer " other than the one you have." Mr. Ross of Houston " offered Hon. Alfred H. Colquitt as the man on whom to unite." Mr. Livingston of Newton replied, urging the friendly spirit of the Colquitt men, alluding to yielding the two-thirds rule and dividing the contested delegates. He added:
" I desire to say that the Colquitt men are not for disruption, and do not intend to produce it. I desire to say that if you are tired of your friends, and if you are so patriotic as to desire a compromise, present it to us and we will see what we will do with it. [Applause.] We have no intention of dropping Colquitt now. [Cheers.] We would be untrue to the people and ourselves to do so! [Cheers.] We have no feeling in this matter outside of our duty. [ Applause.]
The balloting went on to the 19th with little change: Colquitt 21133, Lester 5811, Hardeman 51, Gartrell 153 and Warner 13. Gen. Imboden offered a resolution for four of the minority to meet five of the majority and select a candidate whose name was not before the convention. He made a strong speech for his motion. Mr. Livingston asked if the opposition had centered on a man. Col. Imboden said they could not present a man without his consent, but for the majority to name him and the minority would come to him. Col. Geo. M. Nolan of Henry county, who made some admirable speeches in caucus and convention, said this was the same voice in another dress-it was the hand of Esau, but the voice of Jacob. The majority had time and again presented the name of a spotless character. Mr. Duncan moved
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A COLQUITT DELEGATE BREAKS: THE CONVENTION WILD. ' 581
to amend by leaving out the words excluding the present candidates, but Col. Inboden withdrew his resolution.
On Saturday the 4th day this racy convention had a new and tingling experience. The Colquitt men were pretty solid, but not wholly so. They had sturdily refused to yield Colquitt, and nothing had been able to move them. When therefore Judge W. A. Reid of Putnam, a Colquitt delegate, arose and urged Judge Thos. G. Lawson for nomi- nation, the fury it created was maddening. Mr. Shumate replied in a superb response of exquisite felicity and eloquence for Gov. Colquitt, urging his support by two-thirds of the people as an evidence that he could rally the party around the standard of unity, and intimating that Chatham county could, by a patriotic course, now secure Lester in the future. Mr. Norwood charged that the Colquitt men were putting Colquitt above the party. Col. Willis Hawkins arose on his crutches and in his inimitable and electric way replied that they were there to enter up judgment for the people who had rendered their verdict. Mr. Murphy retorted that his side would file a bill of exceptions. Mr. J. W. Preston declared that he would vote against Gov. Colquitt, if any man would prove a single act of wrong against him. It was, however, when Mr. Preston alluded to Clifford Anderson having, after fruitless balloting in the Congressional convention in the Sixth District, secured J. II. Blount's nomination for Congress and broke just such a dead-lock as this by an eloquent appeal for harmony, that the most prolonged and craziest excitement of the convention occurred. Delegates rose to their feet waving hats and handkerchiefs, and peal upon peal of deaf- ening cheers thundered through the house. The point was the stronger because Mr. Preston himself was defeated by Mr. Blount, for the congressional nomination, through this very appeal of Col. Anderson. Col. Anderson arose cool, serene and poised, and met the palpable hit with consummate force and adroitness; utterly unconfused and undis- concerted he drew an elaborate discrimination between Col. Blount and Gov. Colquitt, arguing that the former was the only man that could unify his District, but Gov. Colquitt could not unite the Democracy of the State. Gen. Young put in a question that brought down the house, as to whether, when it was found that Hancock had a majority of the National Convention, did not every one flock to him.
The truth is that this debate was sparkling and fervent beyond measure, full of hits and oratory, a magnificent and sustained combat of eloquence and ready intellectuality. At the proper moment Mr. Warren, thinking the fever right, arose, and hoping and planning to
582 '
THE COLQUITT PHALANX UNBREAKABLE.
carry the convention in one of those mad tornadoes of impulse that sometimes seize bodies of men, wearied with strife and unavailing bal- lots and ready to drop anybody and go for anybody almost, he moved that Thos. G. Lawson be nominated by acclamation. The maneuver fell dead. The minority went for it with a wild rush, but the solid Colquitt army, compact and immovable, untouched by the frenzy and tempta- tion, grimly frowned down the ambuscade. Alarmed that the move- ment might release the minority delegates from their candidates, the quick-witted Warren, discerning the failure of his plan, and the threaten- ing peril, promptly withdrew the nomination and told the minority to rally to their leaders. The twenty-fifth ballot was finally taken, and the convention adjourned until Monday.
It must not be overlooked in measuring this remarkable convention, that the delegates were getting no pay and were on heavy expense, and many of them men of moderate means who had come only prepared to stay a day or so. It will show the fire that had become kindled that the convention held together. Men raised money to see the battle through, and the body re-assembled Monday, the 5th day, in full force.
It was a settled conclusion, that a number of the leaders of the mi- nority meant to default Colquitt at all hazards. Whether they could hold their followers was the practical question. Col. Norwood was approached Saturday by a Colquitt delegate, and was reported to have said there could be no compromise, and Colquitt must be defeated. Gov. Colquitt made a speech to the caucus Saturday night, that was a miracle of effect. He would gladly withdraw from the contest and the responsibilities of office, but he never retired under fire, and the fight upon him simply forced him to keep the field. The delegates in strong enthusiasm, pledged him continued support. Telegrams poured in from various parts of the State to stand firm.
The convention re-assembled Monday morning. Judge Reid withdrew Judge Lawson's name. The twenty-sixth ballot was taken with no change. Another episode occurred of a break in the Colquitt ranks, but it was powerless to change the alignment. Mr. S. G. Mclendon, of Thomas county, a very effective young speaker, said that he had stood to Colquitt as long as there was a chance of his nomination, that a nom- ination was impossible with the names before the convention, and that he could not follow Colquitt to the peril of the party. Mr. Mclendon was followed by a gifted young delegate from Bibb county, Mr. R. W. Patterson, who made one of the most brilliant and impassioned speeches of the convention-a speech that at once fixed his fame as an orator.
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THE RESOLUTION RECOMMENDING COLQUITT. 583
He plead for party harmony. The twenty-ninth ballot was taken, and the Convention adjourned.
On Tuesday morning matters came to a focus. In the Colquitt caucus Monday night, it was resolved to allow a fair chance for an har- monious conclusion of the strife, and if that could not be had, to pass a resolution recommending Colquitt as the Democratic candidate for Gov- ernor. Judge Harrell offered a resolution requesting the five candi- dates to withdraw, but it was voted down. Mr. Walsh then offered the following resolution, that has become historic:
" Resolved, That the Democratic party of Georgia, in Convention assembled, hereby renews the expression of its devotion to the great principles of the Democratic party of the nation, and pledges the united and enthusiastic support of the Democracy of Georgia to Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock and the Hon. Wm. H. English, the nominees of the Cincinnati Convention.
" 2. Whereas, After a long and tedious session of this Convention, and continuous balloting, it appears that no nomination of a candidate for Governor can be made un- der the two-thirds rule ; therefore, be it resolved, That this Convention recommend to
· the people of Georgia, Gov. Alfred II. Colquitt as the Democratic candidate for the office of Governor at the ensuing election, provided that this resolution shall not go into effect until three ballots shall have been had under the two-thirds rule, and it is demon- strated that no nomination can be effected thereby.
" 3. Resolved, That a committee of nine, consisting of one from each Congressional District, be appointed by the Chair to notify Gov. Colquitt of the action of this Conven- tion and request his acceptance."
The reading of the resolution created a profound sensation. Mr. Walsh said, in his resonant accents, that the argument was exhausted, and he moved the suspension of the rules and called the previous ques- tion. The excitement was intense. The minority resisted bitterly. The fiery young Watson said gamely, " We were tied to the names before us, hemmed up, penned up, starved out. I said that these gyves being upon me, I could never go to Colquitt, and I never will." The rules were suspended. The first resolution about Hancock and English was unanimously adopted. Dr. Carlton offered a resolution that was read by courtesy, "That this convention nominate Alexander H. Stephens by acclamation." Dr. Carlton tried to speak. Cries of " order." Mr. Brown, of Fulton, began to say something of "why sen- tence of death should not be passed upon the Democratic party." Cries of "order " and "go on." It was a confused time, but the Chairman, Mr. Trammell, held the Convention to its business with a steady hand. It was evident that the crisis had come. The majority had the power, and were firm. Judge Willis of Talbot, asked Mr. Walsh to withdraw
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584
A STIRRING TIME.
the resolution long enough to allow the minority time to consult. An adjournment was made until 3 o'clock for this purpose.
The minority met in caucus first at the Kimball, and then at the Markham House. It was apparent at once that the solidity of the minority was broken. Strong men refused to go farther in the fight upon Colquitt, and in the disintegration of the Democracy, notably Col. Clifford Anderson, Judge J. T. Willis, and R. W. Patterson. But the greater part of the minority stood immovable and unrelenting. The convention met in the afternoon, under very intense feeling, the ma- jority quiet but expectant of success, and the minority depressed and divided, but with its opposition element stubborn and watchful. The resolutions of Mr. Walsh were adopted. The 30th ballot was taken, and was unchanged, save that the minority concentrated on Col. Harde- man, and for the first time the contest was narrowed to two men. The 31st ballot showed a concentration of the minority on Lester, but with a grim adherence of each side to its man.
Mr. Reid of Putnam, offered a resolution for a Conference Committee of three from the majority, and two from the minority, to consult and report. Gen. Young favored the resolution. The rules were not sus- pended, so the resolution failed. Col. P. W. Alexander of Cobb, of- fered a resolution that it was the supreme duty of the convention not to adjourn until it nominated. A fiery discussion ensued. There is little doubt that some of the minority leaders drove the discussion, to heat the body and solidify the minority. It was a debate full of fire and taunts. There is no doubt, either that some of the utterances of the majority speakers, thus provoked, stopped the change to Colquitt. Dr. Carlton and Col. Alexander made speeches, and were replied to by Col. Preston and Col. Livingston. When Col. Preston said the minority was determined not to nominate Colquitt, the response. "no! no! never! " pealed from that side. Col. Livingston declared that it had been the policy of the minority "to stuff into our face everybody's name, but that of Alfred H. Colquitt," and that "persistency on that line was an insult to the Colquitt delegates." Prolonged applause, hisses and great confusion followed this statement. He thus con- cluded:
" It cannot mean that they are in earnest ; it cannot mean that they hope to accom- plish anything by it, because I give these gentlemen credit for good common sense. If you do not hope to gain anything by it, why persist in it ? If you do not intend to insist and stir up the baser feelings of our nature, and get up turmoil and strife in the convention, why insist ? It has been manifested by Colquitt's friends that they intend to nominate him under the two thirds rule if they can; or if not to elect him by the
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585
COLQUITT RECOMMENDED.
people, and you might as well receive it now. [Applause, long continued.] And they intend to put him in office next November. [Renewed applause.]"
The heated sparring continued until Col. Anderson asked a recess of half an hour. The convention re-assembled, and the 32nd ballot pro- ceeded. Col. Clifford Anderson cast 23 votes for Colquitt as " an offer- ing of peace." The applause was prolonged over this noble act of moral firmness. Judge R. F. Lyon, of the Macon delegation, with fierce emphasis, stated that he cast 1} vote for Thomas Hardeman, in the hope that it will "unite the Democratic party in solido." Applause and hisses greeted this. Judge Willis, in an eloquent speech, cast 3 of the Talbot county votes for Colquitt, saying that they were now testing the question whether they should dissolve the organized party, or cling to their preferences. Applause and hisses accompanied this manly utter- ance. The last ballot went on in blinding excitement, and the result was announced ; Colquitt, 22033, Lester, 5Sg, Hardeman, 4637%, Gartrell, 15g, Warner, 8}. Gov. Colquitt still lacked 14 votes of a two-thirds nomination, but stood the recommended candidate of the party for Governor.
The convention' then elected candidates for Hancock and Tilden elec- tors. Hon. J. C. C. Black and R. E. Kennan were chosen at large, and A. P. Adams and L. J. Glenn, alternates. The District electors were S. D. Braswell, W. M. Hammond, C. C. Smith, L. R. Ray, John I. Hall, R. B. Nisbet, T. W. Akin, Seaborn Reese, and W. E. Simmons. The next day N. C. Barnett was nominated by acclamation for Secretary of State, and W. A. Wright for Comptroller General. A spirited contest occurred for the nomination for Attorney General, between R. N. Ely, J. W. H. Underwood and J. T. Glenn. Maj. Ely had a heavy majority, and Mr. Jemison offered a resolution in sport, that he be declared nomi- nated, and that his resolution was offered to carry out the letter and spirit of the two-thirds rule. A shout of laughter greeted this rally. Col. J. S. Boynton's name was put in and withdrawn. Col. Clifford Anderson's name was announced, and he received the nomination. Maj. D. N. Speer received the nomination for Treasurer.
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