Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-08-27
A Old.Fuhioned Statesman.

- ~
South Carolina sent TO Congress
three young men, Lowndos, Calhoun,
and Cheves, TO sustain the war OF 1872.
Their talents were 20 conspicuous that
hSii spoke " thetA "a aThS Galaxy
William Lowndes ranked the first
among the three, and was the leader OF
the House OF Representatives from
1912 to 1922. Yet to the inconsiderate
observer he seemed to possess scarcely
any Of the attributes Of leadership.
His tall, STOPPING. and frail frarae, his
feeble, husky voice: hiA awkward gest-
tires. ahd Hill g6htle, tinpfettHdihg Ia;
ture appeared to unfit him to lead .
body Of men divided by the excitement
of the war with Great Britain.
His leadership was, however, undis-
puted. It arose from his un~selfishness,
his information. and mental grasp, his
fairness In debate, and his courtesy to-
ward opponents. No matter how
burning" might be the question before
the House, he, though earnest in the
expression of His views, ne$6r uttered
. word to offend an opponent. 1t was
his custom to state the arguments OF
tho opposition SO strongly and clearly
that men called him "the fairest de-
batter in Congress-" On n occasion,
Mr.. Lowndes put an opponents argu-
mcnt in such q clear and strong light
that John Randolph exclaimed !;
"Lowndcs, you will never be able to
answer yUufself!"
He worked hhfd to acquire tic varied
Information necessary to fit d consci.
e~ntious Legislator to discharges intolli.
gently the duty Of legislating for a peo-
pie OF diversified Industries:
Once, while Chairman OF the Conn
mittee on Commerce, no presented .
report which narrated the history of
our trade with the East Indies. One
Of the members from Massachusetts,,
Mr.. Silsbee, who had been engaged in
that trade for many years, said in his
place: "The gentleman from South
Carolina has given me important in
formation and shed new light upon q
subject with which I thought myself
familiar, az AN old East India mer-
chant"
Two young members of the House
were once discussing the extent OF
Mfr. Lowndes' information. One Of
them said that he could suggest o sub
ject about which Lowndes would know
nothing. A wager was made betting
was popular in those days-and the
two gentlemen went directly to Mr..
Lowndes.
Scan You tell us, sir, the process OF
manufacturing q 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 or paper.
But the keystone Of Mr.. Lowndes
influence in Congress wal the convic-
ton of its members that he neve wal
moved by a selfish purpose. Even in
the heat of debate men felt that
Lowndes was speaking not for the
triumph of victory, but because he be-
lieved the views he advocated were
such as would benefit the whole coun'
try. He aimed to convince the ludg
ment by persuasive speech. When he
had succeeded, and the majority were
radiant with the glow of victory, hi
was conspicuous for his gentle humil
ity.
In 1922, the Legislature OF Soutl
Carolina unanimously nominated MI
Lowndes as a candidate for the Presi
| dency. He made no response to this
nomination. A friend wrote him a let.
ter, Gliding him for his reticent atti
tude toward such q high compliment.
In Mr.. Lowndes' reply he stated thai
he had not taken and would never take
q step to attract the public eye to him
self. Then he uttered a sentiment
which no one doubted to be the OK
preston of one who aspired to meri
rather than aimed to gain the honor'
of high office:
"The Presidency of the United States
is not an office to be either solicited o.
| declined"
When he died, at the early age of AZ
even his political adversaries mournet
the loss Of a personal friend. One o
| the most active of them said: 9Th,
best hopes of tho country looked t.
| William Lowndes for their fulflment.
We have recalled this modest, retir
ing, unambitious statesman that on,
readers may muse over the achieve
ments Of M who was no orator, We
whose persuasive power and pure lif
made him a leader among men.
All for "a Cents.