compass my defeat, but as yet I have constantly
held the advantage over them. They started Mr. Jenkins and
kept him up, under considerable excitement, until he came
to town yesterday and instantly withdrew his name. To-day
they have started a new batch of candidates: Judge Hill,
Hines Holt, Warren, Charlton, and others, all of whom they
seek to combine. I think I can beat the whole combination,
though it is too close to be comfortable. It is impossible
to give an idea of every varying scene, but as I have
staked my political fortunes on success, if I am defeated
in this conflict my political race is over, and perhaps I
feel too little interest in the result for success.

Dawson is at home sick; Stephens is not here; so I am
standing very much on my own hand, breasting the conflict
alone. So I shall have the consolation of knowing that, if
I succeed, the victory will be all my own. The contest will
be decided by Monday next, and perhaps sooner.... As soon
as it is over I shall leave here and shall be at home at
furthest to-day week. If I were not complicated in this
business, nothing would induce me to go into it. There are
so many unpleasant things connected with it, which will at
least serve as lessons for the future, whatever may be the
result. You can see from this letter how deeply I am
immersed in this contest, yet I am getting so impatient to
come home that even defeat would be better than this
eternal annoyance.

TOOMBS.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1852.

In this first struggle between Secession and the Union Georgia had taken
the lead, but Georgia had not been the only State involved. The fight
was waged just as fiercely in Mississippi, when Henry S. Foote, the
Union candidate, was elected Governor over Jefferson Davis. But the
Georgia Platform was the corner-stone of the Southern victory. Her
action gave peace and quiet to the whole Union, and the success of the
triumvirate that year offered assurance of strength and security to the
country. The national parties were quick to align themselves on this
platform. The Democratic convention, which assembled in Baltimore June
1, declared that "the party would abide by and adhere to a faithful
execution of the Acts known as the Compromise Measures, settled by the
last Congress." The Whig conve