The Constitutional Union men won a signal victory. Howell Cobb was
elected Governor by a large majority over Charles J. McDonald, who had
been twice Governor and who was one of the strongest men in Georgia.
Robert Toombs was reelected to Congress over Robert McMillen of Elbert,
and Mr. Stephens defeated D. W. Lewis of Hancock.

The legislature convened in November, 1851. It was largely made up of
Union men. Judge Berrien was not a candidate for reelection to the
United States Senate. He wrote a letter in which he reviewed his course
during the campaign. He said:

"I asserted in terms which even cavilers could not
misunderstand nor any honest man doubt, my devotion to the
Union, my unfaltering determination to maintain by all
constitutional means, and with undiminished zeal, the equal
rights of the South, and my acquiescence in the compromise
measures. Satisfied that such declarations, in the excited
state of feeling, would not meet the exactions of either
party in a contest peculiarly bitter, and unable to
sacrifice for the purpose of victory the dictates of
conscience or the convictions of judgment, I expressed a
willingness to retire."

On the 10th of November Robert Toombs was elected United States Senator.
In the caucus he secured 73 votes, and in the open Assembly next day he
received 120 votes, scattering, 50.

Never was reward more swift or signal to the master-mind of a campaign.
If he had been the leader of the extreme Southern wing in Congress, he
had shown his willingness to accept a compromise and go before the
people in defense of the Union.

He was charged with having aroused the Secession storm. If he had
unwittingly done so in Congress in order to carry his point, he proved
himself powerful in stopping it at home. What some of his critics had
said of him was true: "The rashest of talkers, he was the safest of
counselors." Certain it is that at a moment of national peril he
repelled the charge of being an "irreconcilable," and proved to be one
of the stanchest supporters of the Union.

In Milledgeville, during the turmoil attending the election of United
States Senator in November, 1851 Mr. Toombs wrote to his wife as
follows:

Since I wrote you last I have been in the midst of an
exciting political contest with constantly varying aspects.
The friends of Judge Berrien are moving every possible
spring to