his aspirations to an equal distinction among the first men of the land.  He made known his wishes to his father, and was laughed at; but he was his grandfather’s namesake and pet, and he encouraged his ambition.  The consequence was that young Cobb was sent to the office of William H. Crawford at Lexington, to read law.  He applied himself diligently, and won the respect and confidence of Mr. Crawford, which he retained to the day of his death.  When admitted to the bar, he located with his fellow-student in Lexington; thus taking the place of Mr. Crawford, who was now in political life.  He rose rapidly in his profession, and while yet a young man was sent to Congress as one of the representatives of the State.

At this time the representation in Congress was chosen by general ticket.  The consequence was the selection of men of superior talent and character:  none could aspire to the high position whose names had not become familiar for services to the State, or for the display of talent and character at the bar, or other conspicuous positions, their virtues and attainments distinguishing them above their fellow-men of the country.  Throughout the State, to such men there was great deference, and the instances were rare where it was not deserved.  The discipline and trickery of party was unknown, nor was it possible that these could exist among a people who, universally, honestly desired and labored to be represented by their best men.  To attain to the high position of senator or representative in Congress was so distinguishing a mark of merit, that it operated powerfully upon the ambitious young men of the State, all of whom struggled to attain it by laboring to deserve it.

The standard of talent established by Crawford, Jackson, and Baldwin was so high, that to have public opinion institute a comparison between these and an aspirant was a sure passport to public favor; and this comparison was in no instance so likely to be made as between him and the pupils of his teaching.  This fact in relation to Jackson and Crawford is remembered well by the writer.

In the low country of Georgia, the fiat of James Jackson fixed the political fate of every young aspirant.  In the up-country, Crawford was as potent.  In Crawford’s office the student was required to apply himself diligently, and give promise of abilities, or he could not remain.  The writer remembers to have heard the question asked of Mr. Crawford, in his later days, why a family in his own county, distinguished for wealth, had uniformly opposed him politically.  In the frankness of his nature he said:  “Aleck came, when a young man, to read law in my office, and though he was diligent enough, he was without the brain necessary to acquire a proper knowledge of the law.  I liked his father, and in reply to an inquiry of his relative, as to Aleck’s capacity, I told him ’his son would doubtless succeed as a farmer, for he was industrious; but he had not sense enough to make a lawyer.’  He thanked me; and Aleck left the office, and, profiting by my advice, went to the plough, and has made a fortune, and a very respectable position for himself; but from that day forward, not a member of the family has ever been my friend.  I think I did my duty, and have got along without their friendship.”