The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-06-12

| reform of the party, by the Boilers Conven-
| ton, I reminded him of what had said.
Although Judge Orr was emphatically great
politician, and in NO sense of the word states
man, yet knew that he had the good OF his
country at heart and would have done nothing
to iniure the State. He was ambitious as all
great men are, and always had an eye to MS
own success But he would not have trampled
on the rights and Liberties of his country to Sc
cure his own promotion. A statesman is always
governed by principle, and will never sacrlhce
principle to policy. He is like an honest man IN
private life, who would scorn the idea of gain
ing millions by dishonest policy. In ancient
history we are told that there was proposition
submitted to statesman, who declared that
nothing would be more beneficial to the State,
and yet nothing more dishonorable The pro-
position was rejected at once. This was states
manship, and not policy.
AS an interesting companion, Governor Orr
had few equals. He was full of anecdotes and
stories, and told them with great interest. He
made himself agreeable to all company, and in
all society. I visited Washington before his
election to the speakers chair, and there was
no member of Congress more popular with all
sections, than Colonel Orr. Whilst was there,
he was called to the chair, in committee OF the
whole House, and presided over that BODY Tor
several lays. He did so with so much ability,
promptaess and dispatch, that 1T was then
determined to make him the next speaker OF
the House But when the election came on,
all the members from South Carolina, except
Governor Bonham, refused to be present and
vote This defeated him. he wrote me
long letter the next day and lamented with
deep feeling the conduct of his colleagues, who
had no objection to him, but did not think it
proper for any South Carolinian, at that time.
to accept Federal Office! At the meeting OF
the nett Congress, he was elected speaker, and
no one ever presided over the House with more
ability, dispatch and impartiality, than did
Governor Orr. may also add, that no one in
the speakers chair ever gave greater satlsfac.
tion to the members. Governor Orr at that
time wss very young man, to fill the third
highest Office in the United States, and know
that it was then confidently predicted that ne
would some day fill the first Office under the
government of the United States. He was
spoken of as a candidate for the Presidency IN
the National Nominating Convention, which
assembled in Charleston in 1861 candidate
on whom all Democrats might harmonic:
Soon after my appointment as Provisional
Governor, Judge Orr, in company with several
In Richmond it was proposed to take steam
boat and 60 by the way of Fortress Munroe:
To this Judge Orr objected most positively, and
said that he had no idea of going by that Con-
federatc Prison, for he might very soon be sent
there, Gnd he did not wish to see the place.
He requested me in Washington to urge on
the President the issuing of his pardon imme-
diately. He said he was afraid that the
old rascal might die and his promise would be
forgotten. The President told me that the
Northern Editors were watching him like
hawks, and if it went forth that he had par,
doned, so soon, a Confederate Senator, 1T would
be used to his prejudice. He said, tell Colonel
Orr to 70 home, and will send him pardon
when your State Convention meets. Punctual
to his promise, the President sent me the par
don. When handed it to Governor Orr, ne
requested two or three of his friends to 60 with
him to his room. and told them with serious
face that he had Just received paper and
wished to consult them as to the propriety of
his accepting the same. They thought of
course it was challenge, and began to think
Of reasons which would justify refusal to ac-
cept it. When the paper was read, they gave
it rs their opinion that he was bound to accept.
Judge Orr and myself we're going to Spartan
burg shortly after his election as Governor.
We had stopped on the road side to take O
lunch, when little boy came up. We gave
him a part of our dinner, and found the little
fellow quite sharp and somewhat inquisitiye.
At last Governor Orr asked him if he had ever
seen two live Governors at one time! He re-
piled that he had never seen one Governor IN
his life. Governor Orr then told him that we
were both Governors. The boy replied, you
can't fool me that way" and left us with entire
incredllity. I once heard COL Chestnut say,
that he was travelling through Virginia and
stopped to take lunch under the shade OF
chesnut tree, when countryman came up and
partook of his lunch, and also glass OF BRAN
dy-as they were about separating the country
man said he would like to know his name.
The Colonel replied that his name was Chesnut.
The old man said, "Come, don't poke your fun
at me- you have been very kind, and l really
wish tn know YOUR name" He was as incred-
ulous US the Spartanburg boy.
Governor Orr was an able debator and spoke
we'll. He had clear, sharp, ringing voice,
and always fluent as public speaker. On the
stump he was very efficient, and had fund OF
anecdotes which he told we'll. When Governor
Means was reviewing the Militia in this Con-
gressional District, and making speeches In
favor of secession, Governor Orr, who was then
a cooperation candidate for the proposed
Southern Convention, completely took the
wind out of his sails, by his little bull story,
which have frequently mentioned and will
now repeat Governor Means spoke after the
mastering was over. But Governor Orr would
always steal march on him and speak before
the mastering commenced, and when the peo-
pie were fresh and nore willing to listen.
;C1,Iyernor Orr was very fine looking gentle
man, tall, we'll proportioned, and commanding
in his appearance. He presided in court, 1S1 and
over the House of Representatives Ill Congress
with with m great dignity and firmness: But when he
left the Bench or Speakers chair, there was no
one more familiar and easy in his manners.
He YVES true son of nature and one OF ma
lures noblemen. He was careless in his dress,
and did not cultivate the graces. There was
nothing artificial about him. Frank, open and
unpretending in his department, always IN
q GOOD hnmar- and cordial in his manners.