Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/309

 Brigadier-General Robert Toombs. 303

gress, and proclaimed himself an " unpardoned, unreconstructed, and unrepentant Rebel."

In the morning, at high noon, and even beyond the meridian of his manhood he was intellectually the peer of the most gifted, and towered Atlas-like above the common range. His genius was con- spicuous. His powers of oratory were overmastering. His mental operations were quick as lightning, and, like the lightning, they were dazzling in their brilliancy and resistless in their play. Remarkable were his conversational gifts, and most searching his analyses of character and event. In hospitality he was generous, and in his do- mestic relations tender and true. The highest flights of fancy, the profoundest depths of pathos, the broadest range of bitirtg sarcasm and withering invective, generalizations of the boldest character, and arguments the most logical, were equally at his command. As a lawyer, he was powerful; as an advocate, well nigh resistless. He was a close student, and deeply versed in the laws, state-craft, and political history of this Commonwealth and nation. In all his gladi- atorial combats, whether at the bar, upon the hustings, or in legisla- tive halls, we recall no instance in which he met his over match. Even during his years of decadence there were occasions when the almost extinct volcano glowed again with its wonted fires ; when the ivy-mantled keep of the crumbling castle resumed its pristine defi- ance with deep-toned cujverin and ponderous mace ; when, amid the colossal fragments of the tottering temple, men recognized the un- subdued spirit of Samson Agonistes.

In the demise of this distinguished Georgian we chronicle the departure of another noted Confederate, and this Comrnonwealth mourns the loss of a son whose fame for half a hundred years was intimately associated with her aspirations and her glory. He was the survivor of that famous companionship which included such eminent personages as Crawford, Cobb, Johnson, Jenkins, Hill, and Stephens. While during his long and prominent career General Toombs was courted, admired, and honored, while in the stations he filled he was renowned for the brilliancy of his intellectual efforts, the intrepidity of his actions, the honesty of his purposes, and for loyalty to his section, while his remarkable sayings, epigrammatical utter- ances, caustic satires, and eloquent speeches will be repeated, it would seem that he has bequeathed few lasting monuments. Among his legacies will, we fear, be found few substantial contributions to knowledge. Scant are the tokens of labor which will perpetuate his