Georgia History - Political Parties Factions File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Winge barbarawinge@yahoo.com http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm Georgia Table of Contents: CRAWFORD AND CLARK For many years there was but one political party in Georgia, and that was the party of which Thomas Jefferson was the founder. The party in Georgia, however had divided into two factions., one of which was led by William H. Crawford. The leader of the other party was General John Clark. William H. Crawford was on of the greatest men in the history of the State. He was born in Virginia, and when eleven years old came with his father to Columbia County. When his father died, he began teaching school to support his mother. He was at one time a teacher in the Richmond Academy. Later on he became a lawyer and statesman of great ability and of national reputation. At one time he was president of the United States Senate. He was the friend and companion of such men as Madison, Jefferson, and Monroe. When Crawford was minister to France, he was presented to Napoleon, who was so struck by his firm step, lofty bearing, and tall, manly figure, that he involuntarily bowed twice. Napoleon afterwards said that Crawford was one of the greatest men he ever met, and the only man before whom he felt inclined to bow. While Crawford was still a young lawyer, he incurred the enmity of John Clark, the son of General Elijah Clarke. Clark was a man of strong passions, a good soldier, and the idol of the common people. He became involved in a quarrel with Crawford and sent him a challenge to fight a duel. On the day of the meeting, Crawford was excited and allowed his disengaged arm to hang exposed to fire. The ball from Clark’s pistol struck him in the wrist. The two men became personal and political enemies. The followers of Crawford were called the “Crawford party,” while the followers of Clark made up the “Clark party.’” The people of the State divided between these two leaders, and intense felling existed at the elections. Ref: Evans, Lawton B., A. M., FIRST LESSONS IN GEORGIA HISTORY, 1913, American Book Company, New York, pp. 241- 243. (Submitted by Barbara Walker Winge, barbarawinge@yahoo.com) Adiel Sherwood, A GAZETTEER OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA, Washington City, Printed by P. Force, 1837, pp. 255-256. APPENDIX: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES "The author conceived that a short biographical sketch of the individuals after whom the several counties were named, would furnish an instructive and pleasing appendage to his topographical work... Acquainted with the intimate friends of some of the 'venerable dead,' he has been furnished with sufficient materials to enlarge on their character... There are in the State ninety counties (book printed in 1837, presently in 2001, there are 159 counties)..." ======================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for FREE access. ==============