Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/305

 Brigadier-General Robert Toombs. 299

invective, and, at full speed, discharged his deadliest arrows. In for- ensic battle the wheela of his war- chariot, sympathizing with the ardent and resistless valor of him who guided them, grew incandes- cent.

Demosthenes, mingling the thunders of his eloquence with the roar of the ^gean; Cicero, his eyes fixed on the capitol, wielding at will the fierce democracy and inspiring all hearts with a love of freedom and an admiration for the triumphs of the Roman race; Otis, kindling a patriotic flame wherein the " Writs of Assistance" were wholly consumed ; Warren, inscribing upon the banners of the sons of liberty, " Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God ; " Henry, the " incarnation of Revolutionary zeal," ringing the alarum bell and giving the signal to a continent ; the impassioned Barre, defending, even within the shadow of the throne, the claims of the oppressed — were not more forcible in utterance, magnetic in action, or majestic in mien than Robert Toombs when contending for the privilege of free speech, or proclaiming the rights of the South, as he compre- hended them. The latter were paramount in his esteem. To their assertion was his supreme devotion pledged, his best effort directed. Bold, even to temerity, in his assertions ; in tone and manner em- phatic, to the verge of menace ; by sudden bursts, savoring almost of inspiration, essaying at critical moments to decide the fate of great questions ; iconoclastic sometimes in his suggestions — he was, never- theless, always true to the principles of exalted statesmanship, and loyal in the last degree to the best interests of the South as he forecast them. Mighty was his influence in precipitating the Confederate revolution. Most potent were his persuasions in inducing Georgia to secede from the Union. It was his boast that he would live and die an uncompromising opponent of the unconstitutional acts and assumed authority ot the General Government.

Upon his return from Washington, Mr. Toombs took his seat in the Secession Convention of Georgia, where he freely participated in its deliberations, and acted a conspicuous part.

As a delegate to the Confederate Congress, which assembled at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 4th of February, 1861, and as the chairman of the committee from Georgia, he was largely instru- mental in framing the Constitution of the Confederate States. Upon the inauguration of the Hon. Jefferson Davis as President of the Southern Confederacy, the port-folio of State was tendered to, and, after some hesitation on his part, was accepted by Mr. Toombs. He was content to discharge the duties of this office only during the