Fortunately, John M. Dooly, selected, under the guidance of natural inclination, the profession of law.  His eminence was early in life, and the public eye was directed to him as one worthy any public trust.  He was frequently chosen a member of the Legislature from his native county, and was distinguished for extraordinary ability in the capacity of a legislator.  His conspicuous position and commanding talents pointed him out as one to take a foremost rank with the first of the nation; and his friends urged his name as a fit representative in Congress for the State.  At this time the acrimony of party was intense; the Republican, or Jeffersonian party, was largely in the ascendant in the State, and would accept no compromise.  It was willing to receive new converts and prefer them according to merit, but would accord no favor to an unrepentant enemy.  At this time there were many young, talented men rising to distinction in the State, who were Federalists.  With some of them ambition was superior to principle; they recanted their principles, and, in the ranks of their former opponents, reaped a harvest of political distinction.  Prominent among these was John Forsyth.  He had delivered a Fourth of July oration at Augusta, distinguished for great ability and high Federal doctrines.  Abraham Baldwin, who, with the astuteness of the Yankee—­which he was—­had renounced Federalism, and was now a prominent leader of the Republican party, spoke of this effort of Forsyth as transcendently great, and always, when doing so, would add:  “What a pity such abilities should be lost to the country through the influence of mistaken political principle!” Whether this had any effect upon the views of Forsyth or not, certain it is that very soon after he repudiated Federalism, and published a formal renunciation of the party and its principles.  From that time forward his march was onward, and now his name and fame are embalmed as national wealth.

Dooly was less facile:  his convictions were honest and strong, and he clung to them.  He won the confidence not only of his party, but of the people, for high integrity; but this was all.  Out of his county he was intrusted with no political position, and those who most prized his talents and integrity could never be persuaded to aid in giving these to the country.  He was more than once beaten for the Senate of the United States; and once by Forsyth, who was not announced as a candidate, and who was at the time minister plenipotentiary of the nation at the Spanish Court.  His great legal abilities were, however, complimented by the Republican Legislature, by placing him upon the bench of the highest judicial tribunal of the State, where his usefulness was transcendent, and where most of his life was spent.

As a wit, Dooly never had an equal in the State, and there might now be written a volume of his social and judicial wit.  Its compass was illimitable—­from the most refined and delicately pungent to the coarsest and most vulgarly broad; but always pointed and telling.  Nature had given him a peculiarity of look and voice which gave edge to his wit and point to his humor.