The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-26

out the state. and especially along the line
of tie Oh canal The principal fear was
that the Michlganders would invade the
state and destroy these public works On
the day alluded to the town was crowded
with people from the surrounding country.
Speeches Of the most thrilling nature were
made by Brig. Gems. Goddard, Watkins
and oIhers for the purpose of inducing the
men to volunteer for the impending war.
After the speeches there was a long pause
and no volunteers.
Gen. Goddard had Just begun to rebuke
the man for lack of patriotism. when his
second speech was interrupted by the beat
OF drum and out of an adjacent alley
came marching a dozen small lads, with
Sammy Cox at their head. Their hats
were profusely decorated with chicken
feathers and they were armed with dis
mantled broomsticks. As they drew up Ia
front of Gen. Goddard, Sammy saluted that
high official in true military style, and
then, in a most patriotic vein. ten
dered the services of himself and COM
rades. There was a choice bit of sarcasm
in the little speech, and the full-grown
men, who had paid no heed to Gen. God
dard's appeal, were considerably taken
aback. Finally one stepped forward and
signed the roll This was the signal for a
grand stampede, and in a short time Gen.
Goddard had all the soldiers he wanted.
But their services were never needed, as
the commission appointed by the two states
settled all the difficulty, and peace was
formally declared.
Sunset Cox's father drifted into the lit
erary field aud for six years was editor of
the Muskingum Messenger and Republican.
During the time it was one of the leading
wing papers of the state Young Cox got
an inkling of the newspaper business at this
time and during his school DAYS was always
appointed editor of the class or society
paper or budget. He always made it inter-
esting, and on one occasion it was so much
so that the principal OF the Mcintyre Acad-
envy suppressed it.
When Sam Cox grew to manhood he
decided to adopt the legal profession. He
read law and entered the law office of
Judge G.. w. Searle in this city. Searle
was strong democrat, and at that time
Cox was a wing, having Inherited his poll
tics from his father and grandfather. Soon
after he became democra, and when be
moved to Columbus he became the editor Of
the Statesman, then the democratic organ
of the state, and paper to which the older
buckeye democrats yet refer to with pride.
So high was his party services regarded
that he was nominated and elected to cor
gress. The republicans made several
attempts to defeat him by gerrymanderlng
the district, but were never successful, he
always being able to squeeze through.
One of the funny incidents Of Sunset
Cox's congressional fights was the famous
''anti-weevil wheat" issue. At that time
the Ohio farmers we're very much annoyed
with weevil in the wheat and plans were
resorted to to rid themselves of the pest.
Congressman Cox's father had, in the
meantime, engaged in farming and that
winter had fortunately used seed wheat,
which had withstood the attacks of the
weevil. His son purchased the entire crop,
put it up in sacks labeled 'antl-Weevll seed
wheat" and sent it out to those OF
his constituents who were engaged III
farming. This was the signal for great
howl on the part of the opposition. They
declared the wheat fraud, and one OF
Cox's campaign tricks. At the campaign
meetings of the republicans there would be
reDorts from committees of farmers, in
which Cox and his anti-weevn wheat were
pronounced frauds of the first water. But
Cox managed to pull through at that cleo
ton, and it may be imagined that he took
a deep interest in next years wheat crop.
The wheat did well, and Cox's political
reputation was saved.
Although he left his native state, the pso-
ple here never ceased to interest themselves
in his welfare. His successes were greeted
with as much pleasure as if he had renal red
a citizen, and his old friends and nelghbors
are quick TO resent any reflection on his
honor or ability. At present they are up
in arms against George Alfred Townsend
for caastlc criticism of his, which was
printed in the Cincinnati Enquirer Few
DAYS after their ideals death.