Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1853-12-08
A Modern Cincinnatus.

ton recently with a distinguished
I friend, whose mind is rich with the
recollections of the past, we gathered
many incidents not the least inter
esting Of which, was the following:
At the session of the South Caro-
Ina Legislature in 1914, The mem
bers were perplexed for a suitable
man to elect Governor. The Difficult
ty did not arise from any sea arcity Of
candidates, for then, as now, men
were ambitious, but from a want Of
the right sort of man. The mat
/ ter became worse as the time wore
on, and the election Of some obiec-
tionable candidate seemed inevitable.
One day, however. as several of them
were corversing upon the matter,
Judge O'Neall, then young man,
and present by invitation, said
I" Gentlemen, why not elect Gen.
R. Williams?"
"David R. Villa ms, he's our man
hes the man. t hey all exclaimed,
as they began to scatter to tell the
news.
The day of election came on, and
General Williams was elected by a
large vote. A messenger was at
once despatc ched with carefully pre-
pared letter to inform the General of
his election request his acceptance,
and hoping he would name the day
on which he would take the oath of
office. AT ter a long hard ride, the
messenger stopped at the Generals
residence, in Marlborough District,
we believe, and inquired if he was
in. lie was told that Mr.. Williams
was over at his plantation. The gem
tleman said he would ride over as he
had a note to deliver to him as soon
as possiblel When about half way
be met f ne looking man, dressed
in plain homespun, and driving al
team of m nles-
T "Am on the road to the planta-
|tion of Gen. Williams?" asked the
messenger.
Yes. sir; it is about mile further
on" was the reply.
SIS the General at homer
mo, sir." II
"Where is he?"
81 am Gen. WillIiams!"
"You Gen. David r, Williams?" |
81 am the man"
Don't deceive me. / have an
letter for Gen. Williams
lfthat is your name, said the doubt
ing messe niger, "here it is,' banding
the letter to the General. 4
Mr.. Williams opened the letter
and found to his utter astonlshment t
that, without his knowledge or con-
sent, he had been elected Governor
of South Carolina. He took the
home and entertained
him for the night; preparing a note
in the meantime, accepting the ap-
and naming time on
which he would be in Columbia
The messenger returned. |.
On the appointed day, a few min
utes before twelve o'clock, man
dressed in homespun, and on horse
back, rode into town; Iii tching his
animal to a free he made his way
to the Capitol, where he found a
brilliant concourse of people. But
few knew him personally; but there
was something commanding about
him. He took his seat in a vacant
chair; and when the clock in front
9f the speaker had struck the hour
1f twelve, the General arose and de-
ivered the most masterly speech )
that had EVER been delivered there
IN any occasion. The farmer-states- (
nan entirely electrified the assem-
5Iy. He made an excellent Cover
lor.
This thing conveys beautiful y
dea: Here was farmer elected; he IL
accepted, and from the plough went
o the Governors office to preside,
n a stormy crisis, over the destiny
f a sovereign State. Long live his F.
According 10 returns al me
Treasury Department The value o'
b he portion ofthe cotton crop oil the 10
United States exported during me
ear ending on the 30th of June a
asst was s1O9,ooo,ooo. against T
s87, ,O0e,O 900 worth exported dur,
Il nt