Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1877-07-26
leading the choir as they sing
hymns and canticles to their God
and King.
4 MODERN CINCINNATUS.

A MODERN CINC/NNATUS
Those who have raad of the old
Roman who left his plow. and ruled
the nation, returning again to his
humble farm, must be proud to
think how many instances of the
same kind our own history fnr-
nishes. Washington was a Cincin-
natus, and here is an account of
another
At the session of the South Caro-
lima Legislature, in 1914, the mem-
bers were preplexed for suitable
man to elect governor. The diff.
Guilty did not arise from any scarcity
of candidates, for then, as no ", men
were ambitious, but from want
of right sort of man. The matter
became worse as time wore on, and
the elections OF some Objectionable
candidate seemed inevitable.
One day, however, as several OF
them were conversing upon the
matter, Judge O'Ncall, then a
young man, and present by invita-
tion said, '::Gentleman, why not
elect General David r. WilIiams?''
"David L. Williams! he's our man
he's the mani" they 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 dis
patched with carefully prepared
letter to inform the general of his
election, requesting his acceptance,
and hoping he would name the dav
on which he would take the oath
of office. After long ride, the
messenger stopped at the generals
residence, in Marlboro district, we
believe, and inquired if he was in.
He was told that Mr.. Williams was
over at his plantation. The gentle
man said he would ride over, as he
had a note tc deliver to him as soon
AS possible.
When about half way, he met a
tine looking man, dressed in plain
homespun and driving a pair of
mules. "An l on the road to tile
plantation of General Williams?n
asked the messenger. eyes, sir; it
is about a mile further on" was the
reply. ''Is the general at home?"
"No, SIR" ssWhpre is hp2'' 81 am
the man" "Don't deceive me. /
have an important letter for Gen.
Williams. If that is yonr name,"
said the doubling messenger, "here
it is" handing the letter to the
general.
Mr.. Williams opened the letter,
anc found, to his utter astonish
rnent, that, without his knowledge
or consent, he had been elected
governor of South Carolina. He
took the messenger home, and en-
tertained him for the night, and
naming time on which he would
be in Columbia, the messenger re
turned. On the appointed day, a
few minutes before twelve, man.
dressed in homcspun, and on horse
back, rode into town; hitching his
animal to a tree, he nade lis way
to the capitol, where he found Il
brilliant concourse of people
But a few knew him personally;
still there was something command
ing about him. He took his scat
in Il vacant chair; and when the
clock in front Of the speaker had
struck the hour of twelve, the geE~
eral arose, and delivered the most
mastery speech that had ever been
delivered there. The farmer>states-
man entirely electrified the Assem-.
bly,. He made an excellent governor.
This thing conveys beautiful idea;
here was a farmer elected; he
accepted, and from the plow went
to the governors office TO preside,
in a stormy crisis, over the destiny
of a sovereign state. Long live his
memory !!