Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by R.J. Taylor, Jr. Foundation.
About The Columbia sentinel. (Harlem, Ga.) 1882-1924 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 22, 1920)
4 A Friend Who Writes of The Old School House. 1 Dear Uncle Tom: About thirty years ago I saw a news item, stating that one Thos. E. Watson, a lawyer, Thomson, Georgia,' had torn the shingle from above his office door and entered ihe field of polities as a champion of Jeffersonian democracy aa against prevalent corruption in the political world at that time. I was thrilled as by magic, and reasoned and reS"lve<l that though that fellow had trimmed his sails for a rough sea, I’d ship with him whether to the rod's or otherwise. So, soon sailing, winds contrary, port sighted, entered. Again sailing, battling the tide, port, treacher¬ ous winds, anchor missed, sailing, steadily sailing, winds more favorable, harbor too shallow, sands. Sailing, ever sailing, piloting a gale here, a narrows there, piloting here, there, ever a pilot, Continuously sailing, sailing a choppy sea, a boisterous sea, mad¬ dened waves swishing across decks, sails split into shreds*and popping like fury, darkness! a squall! On the rocks high and dry. A wreck No! an opportunity. 85,000 recruits. The eea swells, the .Hiip.is engulfed, she floats! rides the waves in the grandeur of a conquer er, Tom Watson at the wheel. Listen! The siren! Port at last, the anchor holds. Yes, Tom, I followed likened you 30 years and my love for you might be unto the love of a faitjmii student towards his faithful teach er. I have followed vou through the sneers of-men ti.ee pin-males and boon com pamons. Inends amm, Drank you. Jeffer soman m i (,' i .....V,° ,,un \ I have down with m^every do- , v yon c f' large, 1 ; ,IU am ' , i> ->i lu\ > ? ! n l,u , f 1,1 - U '• , 01 . 1 * ' u< , • t» Back , m .I ■ Nineties, vt* /• in> ' down ' '" ,l m „ hcreveu ri Countv, . ■, 1 fat down at the u root i of r • and , ___’ a pine , looked , , Iciic rod | meed . atm . • much , unon a log house. rr Imre , it stood, , , , beside ;; v the ,, lime t Joneiv , • wooas • rend, , its one door , , hall , ( . i • ; . . . q v villi needles from the towering pine under which I sat. Amt nine nin'siud about the make-up of the little log hut? No, but the stillness about the,- hurt, a d I was loathe to leave it. T walked <he Ion- stretch of uinev woods road to the little station on-the Central of Georgia railroad. Well, am thing strange about that? No, vet evevv mile of H was strangely interest ing to me, and I shall never forget'that little log but, nor that stretch of pincy woods road nor the imnulse which overcame me. Nor shall 1 ever fov.-.'t +'.. -ind hospitality of John Gross the night before. Jeffersonian >. ucracy won in Georgia because it was the ‘issue.. It did not win in the Presidential race because it. was not the issue. Governor Cox followed the trail of a man inf, the wilderness and was lost. A long left or. Tom, but the chase was longe- Faithfully yours, Ga. Luke M. Brown. This Wond rful Lady is a Warm Friend. My dear Mr--. Lytle: When I read in the Columbia Sentinel the long column by the managing editor 1 think what an amount of ability it must take to produce such a quantity of matter every week, year after year. I think that I could not do it. I am very glad over Mr. Watson ’9 success but when lie goes to the Senate wliat becomes of The Sentinel? Will his staff carry it on? I also rejoice that the Presidential cam¬ paign turned out ns if did, for though I do not like Harding, it i‘ a satisfaction to know that be is not under Wilson’s influence. After a long delay and ranch talk, a new Constitution for the State of Illinois has come to the light. It has been framed by a set of the most corrupt men that could be picked up. It is a complete outrage upon decency, giving ns it does, equal rights to both negroes and white people. The negroes that come North are impertinent, that is a large portion of them becauso they think they are as good as the white people. In their ignorance they do not know that they must pass through many gen¬ erations of cultivation ere they can attain to the high standard of the white race. As to the lines I tent you, it might have been a risk to have sent them much earlier, for if Woodrow Wilson and his pals should imprison me twenty years for sending sedi¬ tious articles through the mails, it might im¬ pair my future usefulness,' aa I am now 88 years of age. Wishing you vacant In all that you do, I am * Vfciy cordtafly J, Augusta yours, m. Bassett How a Georgia Traveling Man Feels. H o wever jubflastf My. Watson may have felt own his great victory, I bet you my hat, and go bareheaded a month It 1 lose, that git *« good a# to <M, THE COLUMBIA SENTINEL, THOMSON, GA. SOME LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Slander and Abuse Do Not Pay. (This splendid article is from the editor of the LaGrange (Ga.) Graphic.) No person has ever been won by abuse. One co-erced into doing a thing will resent the force, and at the proper time, will show re¬ sentment. The elephant will take a certain amount of will ill treatment, but the when goaded to extremes turn upon keeper and kill him. All of this has been demonstrated in the uprising of the voters of Georgia, and electing to the highest office in the State, within the gift of the people, the Hon. Thomas E. Watson to the United States Senate, and the Hon. Thos. W. Hardwick Governor of Georgia. These men have been denounced from the pulpit and the press; from the mountains to the sea; by the big dailies and the little week¬ lies; by men high in office and in no office; by office-holders and office-seekers, until prejudice was aroused to such an extent that many were led to believe that these men were devils in¬ carnate. They were pictured as enemies to religion and to society; as traitors to their and enemies to good government, But the reaction came. People began to won¬ der and ask if these men were really as bad as they had been picturd. Investigation proved that neither Watson nor Hardwick were real iy wicked men; but that they were men of con¬ viction and could not be used as subservient tools of any man or set of men. lhr n,, T™ the ,, p f? ple , ,, , , °“ thesc , v ,/ . the more ful were they convinced that they had been grievously * * misrepresented. Few ^ though) e m!d hfiV e stoo d up under the abuse and villification that was hurled against Watson and Hardwick. Ordinary men would have been crushed with humiliation under , the ,, load , , oi - infamous . - falsehoods . , hurled , , . them. ., - ,, But not with ... w Watson L and , against . , . so Hardwick: , • , the ,, principles ■ • , tor * which , . , 41 they con tended , , right, . and they knew it. “ .1 hrice . i I. were 'is >'« . arm 3 1 that , 1*1 hath ,1 1 his • quarrel , just, . . ,, said ., William Shakespeare.and William 8. wa.scor ™ ct V pile of ftl ' th e dander and abuse ,h * x ' eaet, f carae > .f, d ! ( Wlth S ' 1C T wic k wer e force swept ho f™*? ^ ^ atson a B P and 1 ? ndld Hard- t . f A . °f uidipiation swept he ™ ve over State > ™ d the voters of Georgia went to the P olls a nd repudiated and ministerial slander¬ ers aild . falHe amJsers - Democracy has spoken. Democracy is once more in control in the “Empire State of the South”, and political demagogues in Geor¬ gia have learned that it does not pay to slan¬ der and alum S. G. Woodall. Some p raise For a Lot ot L Dear Sir: The smoke of battle has clear¬ ed away rand our dear okl Chief lias been honored by a people whom be spent his life in educating. I rejoice with him urid the thousands of others that he has been thus exalted. Had he been a young man as lie was 30 years ago, and could have done the cam¬ paign work that he did then he would have been elected President instead of Senator. This should inspire such young men as Edmondson and .las. Flynt to stand by right and principles, though at times they may^ be crushed down. Yes they will rise again. I have stood by our old Chief when it looked as if oposition bad buried him beyond redemp¬ tion. I saw him howled down in bis own paid hall in Atlanta, but the common people never lost faith in his honesty’ and the true demo¬ cratic principles lie advocated. Our noble Tom Hardwick played a full grown man’s part in the fight for tine American principles He too wil go down in history as one of Geor¬ gia’s great men. Hon. Jim Flynt showed the Flynt and steel that was in him by not being bossed by the Howell ring. , Judge Flynt would make splendid Congressional timber from the 6th Georgia District. The fight has just begun; men whowore afraid to say where they stood on the Legue this year will be first to oppose it two years from now, but they will have to make a record and by that you shall know them. Yours respectfully, Ga. O. E. Smith. A Telegram Which I Highly From the Daughter of an Old Friend. Dear Sir: Congratulations to Georgia’s most dis¬ tinguished son. May your sojourn in ington be long and happy. Mattie Stone, Stone Ward Daughter County. of the late W. H. Stone of Austin, Cexaa. Appreciated Letter From An Ex-Soldier Dear Sir: Several years ago, I took your papers, “The Watson’s Magazine” and . i The .Jeffersonian”, both while living in Lit¬ tle Rock and in Kansa's. I was in Oklahoma City, still taking your paper when the assis¬ tants of the “Most High” frowned favorite on our Free Press and I was deprived of ray shipped papers. Later I was “grafted” and land across the ocean far from my native to help “make the world safe for the Democrats.” I was badly “gassed” and am still suffering from an injured knee, incurred in line of dnty at St Mihiel, for which I receive the princely sum of $15.00 per month, which I surmise is tor to suport myself and wife. I thought perhaps my old friend, Patriot Watson of Georgia had been crushed, but lo! could J be¬ lieve my own eyes when I read in the Daily Oklahoman, the Democratic journalistic Gem that fought Patriot Gore and slung mud for their map Friday (Scott Ferris) that Watson had won the Georgia Democratic Primary con¬ test for U. S. Senator, my first impulse was to shout and give a war-whoop, and then when I sort of calmed and “came to” and got to thinking sort of serious like, I remembered the biblical assurance that “Truth crushed to earth will rise again.” So has it risen in Georgia. The body may even he crushed but (he spirit cannot be marred. You may know about how mudt/l admire yon for your con¬ victions and your courage to stand by your suns, when I toll you that when voting in the Democratic Primary one time in Little Rock, —I think it was a primary—it might have been a secondary, I don’t remember now,—I saw the name of Woodrow Wilson and.l scratched it and wrote in the name of Thomas E. Watson of Georgia. There is one thing though, Senator, (to be soon) that you may not forgive me for. I voted a straight Republican ticket in Oklaho¬ ma this time. But I think I have good cause for it. 1 was for Hon. Thos. Pryor Gore for re-election for United States .Senator, but the “Oklahoman” lied about him and did ail manner of e.il against him,—poor blind fel¬ low',—and he couldn’t get any publicity to the people except by. speaking. When I came back from France I road about him in the “Okla¬ homan” and 1 thought what a “bad man” he was indeed. In other words, I was “agin” him, Mr. Watson, until I heard him speak. They tried to keep him from speaking. After I heard him speak, I wjfti for him, and it made my American blood boil to think that I had gone over to France to fight and be “fit”.at and wade in mud and slush to my knees and stand in it and (I’m telling you the truth) sleep in it and let the rats and mice come and run over my face and cat the hard tack out of mv clothes and litter up my helmet and cap when I laid them down for an hour’s rest. I repeat all that I did ungrudgingly for my 'country, but to come back home and allow some yellow journal that claimed to be the biggest dally in my home state sling mud in the name of Oklahoma Democrats at the only real true American that was in the race for Senator in the Democratic Primary, it made me do the unpardonable (?) thing—vote a straight Republican ticket. And all that in spite of the fact that “He” had “kept us out of war” and was “too proud to fight.” I also voted to “scrap” Wilson’s War League, be¬ cause I do not want to have to go across the ocean to field any more if it can be honorably avoided and I don’t want to vote to force any¬ one else to do so. We have elected a Republi¬ can for United States Senator and he pledges that he will do all he can to have the War League “scapped”. If he don’t I will try and put him out of office the next time. Us voters waht things done to suit us, Senator. Well, Uncle Tom, my wife is after me to take her to the “movie” so I guess I will have to dose for this time. Be a good Senator when you get up there in the “congressional atmosphere.” If you are publishing any pa¬ pers now, send me a sample of each. I think will subscribe for them all. Yours for a better Amrica. Okla. W. D. Mclnturt' It Oof Here Just In Time. Dear Sir: Inclosed you will find Post Office money order for $7.50 to pay for 5 sub¬ scriptions to the Sentinel. Hope it will get there in time to help you out on that car of paper. Hope so anyway. I am living in a strong Wilson section out here in Texas, but I am a Georgian out and out, and I heartily ap¬ prove all that you are doing in Georgia. Your influence is not confined to Gcoi’gia alone. I can see the effects of it here in Texas. With best wishes to you all, As ever your friend, Tex. T. W. Clark. Take advantage of the “Club Card”, at each. No club smaller than five. Is Reminded of Speech Mr. Watson Made In 1879. Dear Sin When yon were making Con¬ your speech of acceptance at the vention, it carried me back to* the days when I was a boy at the close, of a school taught by Mr. Jerry Jones in one mile of Peering, The patrons gave a barbecue, and you were invited by some one to speak there. You were introduced by Mr. Jack Harris. I was only ten years old; if my memory serves me well it was the summer of 1879. I remember well Capt. Willis Howard and General Ste¬ phen Brain were present. That was the first public speech I ever heard. I remember well how .you looked. I was one of the children that enjojrad your speech. I was at Harlem, Ga., the day you met Hon. George T. Barnes in joint debate, 1890. I know you remember the Irishman, Col. Burns. I was with him as we came home, and I remember the remark the Colonel made: he said “if I was Barnes and I would go back to head. Augusta Watson and get him in bed, cover up my ate up and never left a feather of him.” Col. Burns made the remark to me several times, “Wat¬ son is the smartest man in the State, young as he is.” Mr. A. G. Williamson and myself were the delegates to the Convention for Mr. Hardwick and Mr. Watson. Mr. Williamson is the larg¬ est planter in the county. He owns several brick stores in Eastman, keeps one for an of¬ fice. He has your picture on the front in the show case, also Mr. Hardwick’s. I am proud^ to have had the honor of being a delegate from Dodge County to for nominate as great a Geor¬ gian as you are the U. S. Senate, and also* Mr. Hardwick for Governor. I am glad you have lived to be honored for the great work you have done for the common people. . With best wishes to Mrs. Watson and yourself, I am sincerely, Your friend, John II. Carroll. . An Old Friend Writes Us. Dear Senator: The Convention at Macon last week was in many ways the most remark¬ able one I ever saw. All present were full of enthusiasm, okl and young, rich and poor. I was quite delighted with the speech of dear old Major McGregor. 1 was fearful his health would not be such to permit him to make a s,rong speech, hut it was magnificent. His voice rang out clear and strong and his pre¬ sentation of your career was excellent. He toldme afterwards he spoke too long, omitted some things lie expected to say. lie did hot speak too long for those who have known you as I have. I know of course you employed the occasion. It was such a triumph after a fight of years as would bring joy to the heart and pride to the soul of any man. The’ovation given you when you appeared upon tslie stags is a scene I shall never forget. Those men would have followed you into the jaws of Hell at your bidding. I hope your health will keep strong for these times and the near future will need all your strength, talent and' influence to help shape up and bold our place—the South’s place in this stormy republic of ours. I wish you had* stronger colleagues in the National Councils from the South. This particular eya in our national existence calls for strong men. It is no time for pigmies, nor men without brains and courage. Wisdom, patience, tol¬ erance, inflexible patriotism, old customs, old ideals and old democracy 1ms almost passed away among men, but their principles still live and when properly understood by the masses of the people,when polished’ up and shown in their true reality, will shine as brightly as ever. I know ho man in America who ban do more for democracy, for all the people than can you in the next Congress. Take care of your health so that you can. The article by John Boifeullet in The News, copied in The Sentinel reciting incidents in your career is simply a gem. It is just sweet and good. ’Hie first time I saw yon was in the Colquitt Convention mentioned. I beard your speech, congraju’ated you imon •t, knew if you lived you would be a winner. That has been a long time ago. We have had many changes. Many men come and go, but manciples do not change. We are well along the path of life and not very man'y rears left ns. Let’s continue to try to fill them with good deeds, good works, and good feeling towards all who will Met us. Flense remember me to Mrs. Wntror on I ■>11 your household. Lome -be ore lung I hope, to see you at Tlii-f ;hrv ■River Hill. re R . W Improved Extra Unvlv * > I g * . v ! Cotton Seed Ginned with ’ $3.00 per Bushel. IT. M. KG ' ODD - Dillon, 8. (’. r rr r- r r- rrr.— 'g. Take advantage of the “< tub ' as ,s” at $1.50 each. No club smaller than five.
