Ed Jackson and Charles Pou

Carl Vinson Institute of Government

The University of Georgia

January 12

1775 Residents of St. Andrew's Parish (which included Darien) met in convention and adopted six resolutions. The first expressed their approval of "the unparalleled moderation, the decent, but firm and manly, conduct of the loyal and brave people of Boston and Massachusetts Bay, to preserve their liberty." The next three of the resolutions were directed against British colonial policies. The fifth resolution expressed "our disapprobation and abhorrence of the unnatural practice of slavery in American" and further urged "the manumission of our slaves in this colony, upon the most safe and equitable footing for the masters and themselves." The final resolution named delegates to an upcoming provincial congress in Georgia and instructed those delegates to urge that congress to appoint delegates to the Continental Congress scheduled to meet in Philadelphia in May.

1798 The Georgia legislature elected James Jackson as governor of Georgia. [See Sept. 21 entry for biographical information.]

1872 Radical Reconstruction came to an end in Georgia. Although an act of Congress of July 15, 1870 had removed federal troops from the state and allowed Georgia resumption of its representation in Congress, Republican Rufus Bullock continued as governor. In the December 1870 elections, Democrats won large majorities in each house of the General Assembly. Fearing impeachment when the new legislators met on Nov. 1, 1871, Bullock resigned and fled the state. In the Dec. 6, 1871 election to fill the governor's office, Democrat James Milton Smith was unopposed. On Jan. 12, 1872, Smith was inaugurated as governor -- which to many symbolized the end of Reconstruction and the "redemption" of the Democratic Party in Georgia. [See "In Their Own Words. . ." for an account of the inauguration. Also see Oct. 24 entry for biographical information on Smith. ]

1896 A delegation of Rhode Island citizens arrived in Savannah to honor General Nathanael Greene. [Click here to see and read about the Savannah monument to Nathanael Greene.]

1951 Ezzard Charles knocked out Lee Oma to retain the world heavyweight boxing championship. Born July 7, 1921 in Lawrenceville, Ga., Charles became heavyweight champion in September 1950 by defeating Joe Louis on points in 15 rounds. He lost the title to Jersey Joe Walcott in a 7-round knockout in 1951. Charles died May 28, 1975.

1960 University of Georgia and Atlanta Hawk basketball great Dominique Wilkins was born in Sorbonne, France.

1961 The University of Georgia chapter of the American Association of University Professors called for a faculty meeting to protest the suspension of Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes the night before. A petition calling for their reinstatement was signed by 340 University faculty. One member of the University System Board of Regents -- ardent segregationist Roy Harris -- then demanded to see a list of which faculty had signed the petition. Governor Ernest Vandiver condemned the violence, and though he continued to oppose integration he now conceded that Georgia would have to accept some integration of its public schools.

1971 Jimmy Carter was inaugurated governor of Georgia. [Click here for biographical information.]

1981 The Atlanta Braves signed free agent pitcher Gaylord Perry.

Georgia towns and cities first incorporated by acts signed on this day:

1852 Calhoun (Gordon County) and Euharleyville (Cass now Bartow County)

In Their Own Words on This Day. . .

1736 At sea, James Oglethorpe accompanied a new group of colonists headed for Georgia. Among the new colonists were John and Charles Wesley, as well as Benjamin Ingham, who came to do missionary work with the Indians. Ingham used his time at sea to prepare for his work in Georgia, as evidenced by this day's journal entry:

"Monday Jan. 12: I begin to write out the English dictionary, in order to learn the Indian tongue. O! Who is sufficient for these things! When the Ship roll'd so that we could could not well go about to visit the people, we generally spent the evenings in Conversation with Mr. Oglethorpe from whom we learn't many particulars concerning the Indians."

Source: [No author or editor cited], Our First Visit in America: Early Reports from the Colony of Georgia, 1732-1740 (Savannah: Beehive Press, 1974), p. 172.

1865 Twenty-four-old Eliza Frances Andrews left no doubt where she stood on Yankees, as evidenced by this excerpt from her diary written while visiting an older sister near Albany:

". . . I have a letter from Tolie; she is living in Montgomery, supremely happy, of course, as a bride should be. She was sadly disappointed at my absence from the wedding. The city is very gay, she says, and everybody inquiring about me and wanting me to come. If I wasn't afraid the Yankees might cut me off from home and sister, too, I would pick up and go now. Yankee, Yankee, is the one detestable word always ringing in Southern ears. If all the words of hatred in every language under heaven were lumped together into one huge epithet of detestation, they could not tell how I hate Yankees. They thwart all my plans, murder my friends, and make my life miserable."

Source: Eliza Frances Andrews, The War-Time Journal of a Georgia Girl, 1864-1865 (New York: D. Appleton and Co., 1908), p. 67.

1872 To many Georgians, the inauguration of Democrat James M. Smith as governor marked the end of Radical Reconstruction in this state and was a time for celebration, as indicated by the Atlanta Constitution's coverage of the ceremonies:

"THE INAUGURATION

"Hon. James M. Smith Installed as Governor of Georgia . . .

"The Empire State Switched Back Once More on the Track of Progress and Honest Government.

"A Day of Rejoicing

"This, the 12th day of January, 1872, is one of Georgia's memorable days, to be blazoned in her history for all time to come for the occurrence of one her leading and momentous events.

"It marks

THE DOWNFALL OF THE RADICAL DYNASTY

"What a world of meaning in the expression, misrule ended! An oppressed people redeemed! The restoration of honesty to public office!

"The morning dawned beautifully -- a rare, sunny, cheerful, lovely day, as if nature itself rejoiced over the auspicious event.

"The occasion recalled the good old days of the State. By eleven o'clock the ladies began to flock to the State House, and by half-past eleven every available seat in the Representative Chamber and its galleries was occupied, and hundreds vainly sought admission. It was the spontaneous outpouring of the PEOPLE in rejoicing over the advent of the new era. It recalled in salient contrast the sham of inauguration that occurred when Bullock took the reins of government. Those who had the misfortune to witness that spectacle, with its immense concourse of negroes and its small attendance of whites, can realize the contrast between that occasion and one in which the sympathies and convictions of the people are enlisted. The contrast is typical too of the whole philosophy of the two occasions; one, the installation of a dynasty of corrupt adventurers forced upon a free people, by the bayonet, against their will; the other, the inauguration of a regime based upon the consent of the governed, and reflecting the virtue and intelligence of a great Commonwealth.

"A deep, electric, intense feeling of joy pervaded the vast assemblage of Georgia's best sons and fairest daughters.

"At seven minutes of twelve the Senate entered the Representative Chamber and President Trammell took the chair.

"At precisely twelve Governor Smith entered the Chamber, accompanied by the Acting Governor, the State House officers, Supreme and Superior Court Judges, and by several leading citizens, among them General Toombs, General Colquitt, Colonel P.W. Alexander, Ex-Governor Brown and others.

"Governor Smith, according to the old custom, delivered his inaugural, and then took the oath of office himself. The inaugural speaks for itself. We give it in full . . . .

The inaugural was received with repeated applause. As the Governor concluded taking the oath of office the applause was deafening and prolonged. It rolled forth in a vast and increasing volume, representing the spontaneous outburst of popular joy at the great event.

"The Governor retired, the Senate withdraw and the House adjourned.

"Then burst forth a long, strong call for 'Toombs.' But Mr. Toombs had retired.

"The crowd dispersed. Once more we breathe. The reign of law and order begins. Since Governor Jenkins was deposed by military despotism, we have had a long night of Radical rule and Cimmerian darkness. That rule is ended. The darkness is succeeded by light. Thank God Georgia is redeemed."

Source: Atlanta Constitution, Jan. 13, 1872.

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© Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

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