GEORGE WALTON.
In this enlightened age and in our free country, ignorance is a voluntary misfortune arising from idleness—the parent of want, vice and shame. Under the benevolent arrangements of the present day every child, youth, woman and man can have access to books and generally to schools. At no former age of the world has the mantle of education been so widely spread. All who will may drink at the pure fountain of intelligence and walk in the light. They may obtain that knowledge which will lead them to the green pastures of virtue—the parent of earthly happiness and heavenly joys. By a proper improvement of time the plough boys of the field—the mill boys of the slashes and the apprentice boys of the shops may lay in a stock of useful information that will enable them to take a respectable stand by the side of those who know more of colleges but less of men and things. Instances of this kind have occurred and I trust will be rapidly increased. Youth and young men of America—in your own hands are the materials of future fame and usefulness. Neglect to properly improve them, oblivial obscurity or withering infamy will be your fate. You are the architects of your own fortunes. You will rise in the scale of respectability and importance just in proportion to the correct culture of your mental powers. Your immortal minds cannot be dormant. If you do not sow the seeds of wisdom noxious weeds will grow spontaneously and leave you to reap the whirlwind of keen regret and consuming anguish. Youth and young men of America—if you desire the perpetuity of that Liberty purchased by the blood and treasure of your ancestors—store your minds with useful knowledge. If you love a Republic more than monarchy, freedom more than slavery, religious liberty more than hierarchy—store your minds with useful knowledge. Imitate the bright examples of those whose history is spread upon the pages of this book who raised themselves to usefulness, fame and glory by the force of their own exertions.
In the history of George Walton another striking instance of this kind is beautifully illustrated. He was born in Frederic County, Virginia, in 1740. Without any school education he was apprenticed to a morose carpenter at an early age, who was too penurious to allow George a candle to read by although an unusually active and faithful boy. Fortunately pine knots were plenty and free. By the light of these he prosecuted his studies during his boyhood and youth. He fulfilled his indentures to the letter. When manhood dawned upon him he was free in person and mind. He had accumulated a rich stock of useful knowledge to what purpose the sequel will show. This he had acquired alone by untiring industry during those hours of night when a large proportion of boys and youth are either reposing in the embrace of Morpheus or hastening on their ruin by associating with corrupt and vicious companions—demonstrating most clearly that ignorance is a voluntary misfortune—that man is the architect of his own character.
At the age of twenty-one Mr. Walton went to Georgia and read law under Henry Young and became a safe counsellor and able advocate. During his investigation of the principles laid down by Blackstone and other elementary writers, he was forcibly impressed with the gross violations of the charter and constitutional rights of the Colonies. The more closely he investigated the more his indignation was roused. He freely expressed his views and feelings and was among the first to oppose the high-handed policy of the British cabinet. He found a few kindred spirits—but by a large majority the crown was sustained in Georgia longer than in any other colony. Many desired freedom but believed its attainment a visionary idea. They preferred present sufferings rather than make an abortive attempt to disenthrall themselves lest heavier burthens should be placed upon them. They felt their own weakness—they dreaded the power of England. Not so with George Walton and a few others who had clustered around him. No display of chains or bayonets could intimidate them. To die in the cause of Liberty was more glorious in their view than to wear the shackles of a tyrant. They were determined never to bend a knee to kings or sacrifice at the altar of monarchy. Freedom or death was their motto.
In order to test the public mind Messrs. Walton, Noble, Bullock and Houston published a notice over their proper signatures, calling a public meeting to be held at the Liberty Pole, Tondee's tavern, Savannah, on the 27th of July 1774 for the purpose of considering the constitutional rights and privileges of the American Colonies. This was the first Liberty pole planted in that state—the first meeting that was held on that subject. A large concourse of citizens assembled—an intense anxiety was manifest—hearts beat more quickly—the heaving bosom, the deep sigh, the quivering lip—all told that the meeting was one big with importance. Soon George Walton rose with a dignity peculiar to a man who knows he is right. With the profoundness of an able lawyer—the wisdom of a sage and the eloquence of a Henry—he portrayed American rights and British wrongs in such glowing colors that a stream of patriotic fire ran through the hearts of his audience that concentrated into a broad and unextinguishable flame. A committee was appointed to rouse the people to a sense of impending danger. Governor Wright, with his hireling phalanx, used great exertions to obtain a written pledge from the inhabitants of each parish to sustain the mother country and submit more implicitly to the yoke of bondage. Promises of redress were made only to be broken. But the fire of patriotism had commenced its insulating course. From Mr. Walton and his companions the burning flame spread from heart to heart, from sire to son, from parish to parish and rushing to a common centre rose in one broad sheet of light—illuminating the horizon of Liberty with cheering refulgence. Many of the more timid patriots of Georgia were long perched on the pivot of indecision. Self-interest and self-preservation caused many to remain inactive for a time—but what persuasion could not do the increasing insults from the crown officers soon effected and roused them to action. Mr. Walton did much to remove the incipient paralysis and produce a healthy tone in the body politic. All the other colonies had united in the glorious cause of freedom—that his state should form a doubtful rear-guard was irksome to his noble spirit. But he stood firm at his post. His exertions became equal to the herculean task he had undertaken. His powers of mind rose with the magnitude of the occasion—his eloquence and logic bore down every opponent who dared confront him.
When the cry of blood—of murder—was raised on the heights of Lexington and reverberated from hill to dale, it came upon the Georgians like a clap of thunder without a cloud. The people started from their reverie—burst the cords that bound them—rose in the majesty of their power—buckled on their armor and bid defiance to the British lion. In May 1775 the Parish of St. Johns sent Lyman Hall to the Continental Congress and in July four colleagues took their seats with him. The Council of Safely was reorganized and vigorous measures adopted to resist the encroachments of imported dictators. In January 1776 the legislature appointed Mr. Bullock President of the Executive Council. He was a bold and active patriot and very obnoxious to the crown officers. Gov. Wright threatened the members with bayonets—the next hour he was their prisoner and permitted the liberty of his own house only upon his parol of honor. This he violated—fled on board the armed fleet in the harbor—commenced an attack upon the town—was badly whipped and glad to flee from the vengeance of an insulted and enraged people. British authority was at an end in that Province.
In February 1776 Mr. Walton was elected to the Continental Congress and entered upon the high duties of legislation. He was a bold and efficient advocate of every measure calculated to advance the cause of Independence. He warmly supported the Declaration of Rights and proved his sincerity by his vote and signature. Excepting 1779 when he was Governor of Georgia, he was a member of Congress until 1781. He was raised to work and being placed on many committees showed that he could still endure a vast amount of labor. When Congress was compelled to retire to Baltimore on the 13th of December 1776, Messrs. Morris, Clymer and Walton were left as superintendents to aid the army with $200,000 in funds. Mr. Walton was also a member of the Treasury Board and Marine Committee. In every station he ably discharged his duty. In 1777 he performed a very important act in the drama of life by marrying the accomplished daughter of Mr. Chamber.
In 1778 he became Col. Walton and behaved with great gallantry in the battle at Savannah between the American troops and the British. The regiment under his command made a desperate fight until their Colonel was severely wounded, fell from his horse and was taken prisoner. After his wound would permit he was sent to Sunbury and confined with the other prisoners. He was soon after exchanged and returned to Congress. In January 1783 he was appointed Chief Justice of Georgia. He also filled the gubernatorial chair a second time. He was one of the commissioners that effected a treaty with the Cherokee Indians. He discharged all the onerous duties imposed upon him with credit to himself and usefulness to his country. At one time he was involved in an apparent difficulty which was as singular as it proved harmless and lost none of its romance in the end. During the war a jealousy existed between the civil and military authority in Georgia. Judge Walton was at the head of the former—Gen. McIntosh at the head of the latter. In 1779, when Judge Walton was first Governor of the state, a forged letter, purporting to be from the legislature, was forwarded to Congress requesting the removal of the General. The governor was charged with a knowledge of the transaction—positively denied it—but few if any believed it. It became a party matter—a vote of censure was passed upon him by the same legislature that had appointed him Chief Justice the day previous—the Attorney General was directed to institute proceedings against him in the Court over which he presided—the only one that had jurisdiction over the offence charged. That was the finale of the great bubble. It was more like a modern political demagogue compromise than any farce found in the history of that eventful period. It inflicted no injury on the fair fame of Judge Walton.
During his latter years Judge Walton confined his public duties to the Bench of the Superior Court. Through the intervals between terms he enjoyed the rich comforts of domestic life with his faithful wife and an only son. He was not wealthy—was free from avarice and was contented with the competence afforded by his public emoluments and the produce of a small plantation. He indulged in good living. Previous to his last illness he suffered much from the gout and other complicated derangements of his system. His useful career was closed on the 2d of February 1803.