The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1853-11-24
A Modern Cincinnatus.

Ad0 anu PlCdSdut conversation re-
Gently with a distinguished friend, whose
mind is rich with the recollections of the
past, we gathered many incidents, not the
least interesting of which, was the follow
ing;
At the session of the South Carolina
Legislature, in 1914, the members were
perplexed for suitable candidate to elect
for Governor. The difficulty did not arise
from any scarcity of candidates, for then,
as now, men were ambitious, but for the
want of the right sort of men. The mat
ter became worse as time wore on, and the
election of some Objectionable candidate
seemed inevitable. One day, however,
as several of them were conversing upon
the matter, Judge O'Neal, then young
man, and present by invitation, said
Gentlemen, why not elect General
David r. Williams?'
"David R. Williams, he's our man
he's the mar" =" they all acclaimed, as they
began to scatter to tell the news.
The day of election came on, and Gen
eral Williams was elected by large vote.
A messenger was at once dispatched with
carefully prepared letter to inform the
General of his election-requesting his ac-
ceptance, and hoping he would name the
day on which he would take the oath of
office. After long, hard ride the mes
senger stopped at the General's residence,
in Marlborough District, we believe, and
inquired if he was in He was told that
Mr.. Williams was over at his plantation
The gentleman said he would ride over as
he had note to deliver to him as soon as
possible. When about half way, he met
a fine looking man dressed in plain home
spun and driving team of mules
cam l on the road to the plantation of
General Williams?" asked the messenger.
eyes, sir; it is about mile further on, -
was the reply.
els the General at home?"
s'No sir"
"Where is he?'' tf-
81 am Gen. Williams
'sYou Gen. David R. Williams?''
II am the man.
"Don't deceive me- have an impor-
tant letter for General Williams If that
is your name,'' said the doubling mesen-
ger, "here it is" handing the letter to the
General.
Mr.. Williams opened the letter and found
to his utter astonishment that, without his
knowledge or consent, he had been ellec-
ted Governor of South Carolina. He
took the messenger home and entertained
him for the night, preparing a note in the
meantime, accepting the appointment, and
naming time on which he would be in
Columbia. The messenger returned.
On the appointed day, few minutes
before twelve o'clock, a man dressed in
homespun, and on horseback rode in town,
hitching his animal to tree, he made his
way to the Capitol, where he found a bril-
liant concourse of people. But few knew
him personally; but there was something
commanding about him. He took his seat
in vacant chair, and when the clock in
front of the speaker had struck the hour
of twelve the General arose and delivered
the most mastery speech that had ever
been delivered there on any former occa-
sion. The farmer statesman entirely cleo
trifed the assembly. He made an excel
lent Governor.
This thing conveys beautiful idea-
Here was a farmer elected, and from the
plough went to the Governors Office to
preside, in a stormy crisis, over the desti-
ny of a sovereign State. Long live his
memory Wilmington { N C. Dem. Free
Press.