Baldwin County GaArchives History .....History of Baldwin Co. - Politics 1925 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 October 5, 2004, 5:55 pm p. 64 Politics We have had very little to say about the politics of Georgia, though Milledgeville was the seat and center of Georgia politics. The excitement connected with the Yazoo sale extended over the State. The incident of the papers connected with the fraudulent transaction being burned by Gov. Jackson by the rays of the sun through a sun glass, took place at Louisville. The personal enmities growing out of that sale continued for years. James Jackson had resigned his seat in Washington to return to Georgia to fight the iniquitous transaction. The Alliance between Jackson and Crawford constituted a power able to win in any contest. After the death of Jackson, Troupe came into prominence. He was one of the Commissioners who had laid out Milledgeville. He was a relative of Gen. Mclntosh and had been born among the Indians. William H. Crawford had been to the United States senate and Geo. M. Troup to the lower House of Congress. John Clark, the son of Elijah Clark, of Revolutionary fame, was the antagonist of Crawford in political contests. In all of these contests Jackson and Crawford were opposed to Troup. These were stirring times of great excitement in the old Capitol. During the period from 1810 to 1816 the whole country was disturbed by rumors of war with England and France. The War of 1812 with England so engrossed the ----------------- p. 65 minds of the people that political disputes and personal animosities were lost sight of and for the time forgotten. The United States declared war against England June 1812. Gov. Brydie Mitchell sent a message to Legislature to prepare for the defense of Georgia's long stretch of coast. Jan'y 26th 1815 news was received of Gen. Jackson's brilliant victory over the English. In February news reached Georgia that a treaty of peace had been declared at Ghent, Christmas eve. This put an end to the war. Benjamin Hawkins died in 1816. He had won the confidence of the Indians and had great influence over them. Gov. Mitchell was appointed by Pres. Monroe to succeed Hawkins as Indian Agent. William Rabun, Pres. of senate, succeeded him as Governor: After peace was restored attention began to be directed to internal affairs. The hardest fought battles were between the Clark and Troup adherents. Women, though at that time having no vote, were powerful factors in these contests, influencing popular opinion generally for Troup. "Troup and the Treaty," was heard on all sides. In 1825 during Gov. Troup's administration, Gen. LaFayette made his visit to Milledgeville. A beautiful spirit of Patriotism was manifested in doing him great honor, all parties agreeing. Returning to the matter of States Rights, a close construction of the Constitution was held by all Conservative Georgians though limiting the power of the Central government. Nullification was the radical doctrine of State Sovereignty. Declaring that the State could nullify any unconstitutional act of Congress and prohibit its execution in the State. ----------------- p. 66 In 1831 in the Gubernatorial contest the State's Rights candidates were George R. Gilmer and Thomas Haynes. Then came announcement of Wilson Lumpkin the Conservative Whig Candidate. Finally Haynes withdrew and the contest was between Gilmer and Wilson Lumpkin. Meetings were held in every County to consider the problems before the Country. At a 4th of July dinner held in Milledgeville by Gilmer supporters, Troup and Gilmer and Andrew Jackson were toasted and Clay and the tariff condemned. The friends of Lumpkin sought to damage Gilmer's popularity by a reference to his opposition to the distribution of the lands in the gold mining districts among the citizens of the State by the land-lottery. The outcome 6f the contest was the election of Lumpkin, but at the same time the State Rights Party secured the greater number of seats in the Legislature. The strongest statesmen of the nation were at that time in the Whig Ranks. Webster, Clay, Calhoun and in Georgia, Toombs, Stephens, Berrien and Jenkins, were the equal or superior of any other in the new generation of Political leaders in the State. Troup was the honored advocate of the States Rights Party, Wilson Lumpkin of the Union voters, urging the candidacy of Martin Van Buren against Harrison. But McDonald of the Democrats defeated Dawson of the Whigs in the Gubernatorial election. Geo. Crawford, a Whig, was elected over Mark Cooper. Again the tariff brought on discussion. Our Southern leaders being for protection but finding themselves involved with Anti-slavery leaders at the North were forced to be conciliatory, the question of slavery coming to the front with the difficulties of Mutual Adjustment. ----------------- p. 67 Ex-Gov. Lumpkin in 1847 advocated the organization of the South to resist the aggression of the North. He expressed great love for the Union, but preferred its dissolution to oppression and destruction. Mass meetings of the citizens were held, discussing the advisability of Secession. Speeches were made in favor of it by Rhett of South Carolina, McDonald of Georgia and Yancy of Alabama. In September Toomfys, Stephens and Cobb stumped the State, and as a result, at the Convention in Milledgeville in November, Union men were in the majority. In May 1846 the War Department called on Georgia for a regiment of infantry to serve in Mexico. Henry R. Jackson of Savannah was put in command. Other companies were formed throughout the State and many brave recruits were enlisted, others went alone to join the U. S. Army. The Mexican War was brought to an end by a succession of brilliant victories by U. S. Generals. Gen. Scott captured the City of Mexico Sept., 1847. Gen. Taylor defeated Santa Anna gaining possession of all the Northern Provinces of Mexico. A treaty of Peace was concluded Feb. 2nd, 1848. The writer then a small girl of three and a half years distinctly remembers the victorious return of the soldiers from the Mexican War as they marched triumphantly down Jefferson Street with flags flying and drums beating, Marching to the State House where speeches were made and greetings extended. As a result of a political animosity between General Clark and Judge Tait, we quote the following: In the summer of 1807, when Judge Tait was driving along Jefferson Street, in Milledgeville, General Clark came up graciously cantering on a beautiful sorrel. The General always rode a fine horse with ----------------- p. 68 best accoutrements. His was a splendid figure and men said he was a born soldier. Riding up to Tait, he thus accosted him. "This is the first time I have seen you sir, since your hasty departure from Louisville." "Yes," replied Tait, "I have not seen you since." "Judge Tait, you have under cloak of judicial authority, sought to destroy my reputation, and for your nefarious attempt, I shall give you the lash." Saying this, before any reply could be made, General Clark came down with his riding whip inflicting blows on the shoulders of this distinguished jurist. Tait's horse took fright, but Clark kept along side of him until his wrath was appeased by the scourges of his heavy cowhide on the person of his adversary.—Giant Days or the Life and Times of William H. Crawford, by J. E. D. Shipp. Peter Early sentenced General Clark to pay a fine of $2000.00 which fine Governor Jared Irvin remitted. Additional Comments: From: Part I HISTORY of BALDWIN COUNTY GEORGIA BY MRS. ANNA MARIA GREEN COOK ILLUSTRATED ANDERSON. S. C. Keys-Hearn Printing Co. -1925— File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/baldwin/history/other/gms242historyo.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 8.3 Kb