The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1884-10-10
An old-Fashioned Statesman.

An Old-Fashioned Statesmen.
South Carolina sent to Congress three
young men, Lowndes, Calhoun and
Cheves, to sustain the war of 1912.
Their talents were so conspicuous that
men spoke of them as "'The Galexy.n
William Lowndes ranked the first
among the three, and was the leader Of
the House or Representatives from
1872 to 1922. Yet to the inconsiderats.
observer he seemed to possess scarcely
any of the attributes of leadership.
His tall, STOPPING and frail frame, his
feeble, husky voice, his awkward ges-
lures, and his gentle, unpretending
nature appeared to unfit him to lead d
body of men divided by the excitement
of the war with Great Britain.
His leadership was, however, undis-
puted. 1t arose from his unselfishness,
his information and mental grasp, his
fairness in debate and courtesy towards
opponents. No matter how burning
might be the question before the House,
he, thought earnest in the expression
of his views, never uttereil q word to
offend an opponent. It was his custom
to state the arguments of the opposition
80 strongly and clearly that men called
him "the fairest debater in Congress-"
On n occasion, Mr.. Lowndes put ap
opponents argument in such a clear
and strong light, that John Randolph
exclaimed, "Lowndes, you will never be
able to answer y~ourse!fl"
He worked hard to acquire the varied
information necessary to fit a conscien.
tious legislator to discharge intelligently
the duty of legislating for people Of
diversified industries.
Once while chairman of the commit.
tee on commerce, he presented a report
which narrated the history of our trade
with the East Indies. One of the men,
bers from Massachusetts,, Mr.. Silsbee,
who had been engaged in that trade for
many years, said in his place, 1.-THE
gentleman from South Carolina has
given me important information and
shed new light upon a subject with
which l thought myself familiar, as an
old East India merchant"
Two young members ofthe House
We're once discussing the extent of Mr..
Lowndes' information. One ofthem said
that he could suggest q subject about
which Lowndes would know nothing.
A wager was made, betting was popu-
lar in those days,-and the two gentle
men went directly to Mr.. Lowndes.
"Can you tell us, sir, the process Of
manufacturing a pin?" asked the gen.
tleman who had proposed the test. To
the surprise of both, the gifted South
Carolinian at once gave in detail the
whole process, from the drawing of the
wire to the fixing Of the pins on the pa
per.
But the keystone of Mr.. Lowndes
influence in Congress was the convic-
ton of its members that he never was
moved by a selfish purpose. Even in
the heat of debate men felt that Lown-
des was speaking not the triumph Of
victory, but because he believed the
views he advocated were such as would
benefit the whole country. He aimed
to convince the judgment by persua-
sive speech. When he had succeeded,
and the majority were radiant with thu
glow of victory, he was conspicuous for
his gentle humility.
In 1922, the legislature Of South
Carolina unanimously nominated Mr..
Lowndes as a candidate for the Pres
idency. He made no response to this
nomination. A friend wrote him a let
ter, Gliding him for his ~reticent atti-
tude towards such q compliment.
In Mr.. Lowdes' reply he stated that
he had not taken and would never take a
step to attract the public eye to himself.
Then he uttered a sentiment which no
n doubted to be the expression of one
who aspired to merit rather than aimed
to gain the honors of high office:
"The presidency of the United States
is not an Office to be either solicited or
declined"
When he died, at the early age Of
forty-two, even his political Anniversaries
mourned the loss of a personal friend.
One of the most active of them said.
"The best hopes of the country looked
to William Lowndes for their fulfill.
ment."
We have recalled this modest, retiring,
unambitious statesman that our readers
may muse over the achievements of one
who was no orator, yet whose persuasive
power and pure life made him o leader
among men.