The southern argus., 1891-08-27
FACTS IN THE LIFE OF HON. GEORGE W
WILLIAMS

FACTS IN THE LIFE OF HON. GEORGE W.
WILLIAMS
In the death of Hon. George w. Will
llams, the Negro historian, at Black
pool, Congo Free State, Africa, on the
Sd inst, the race lost one of the most
if not the most, brilliantmen In some
respects he was wonderful man. We
knew him intimately, and have spent
many hours in his society, being al
ways welcomed at his home when that
nome was one in which happiness dwelt
undlsturbed. In some respects we find
in the life of George Williams a paral-
lei in the lives of Benedict Arnold and
Aaron Burr. Rather a sad commentary
to compare ones life with one who was
a traitor to his country, and another
whose page in history is turned quick
~. Like Arnold there was a dash.
orllhancy about George Williams that
challenged the admiration of his enc
mics. Like Burr, there was a crafty
cunning in his composition that awoke
dlstrust in his most intimate friend. |
and like Burr, there was disregard |
Tor woman's honor and virtue in his |
makeup that Disguised Had George
Williams never entered politics there is
no doubt but what he might have been
living to-day, an ornament to society,
to race and source of happ ness to his
FAMILY. lie is to be classed in that sor.
rowful galaxy of might have beens"
lie plunged into the political sea and
was swallowed by its treacherous male
Strom. When he bore the title of rev.
erend, and was pastor of the Mound
street Baptist church at Cincinnati. O..
ere he had become tainted with politics
ne was looked upon as a Christian GEN
leman whose morals and religion was
above suspicion. As a minister of the
gospel he was a bright and eloquent
me, and old Mound street church aft
Jlnclnnati was never before or since
blessed with having delivered within
IS sanctited walls such eloquent. such
oglcal discourses as were delivered
here by Rev. George w Williams.
feorge Williams lived dual life. He
vas our DR.. Jekle and Mr. HYDE.
When minister, then he had a y
ONE frightened by the most loving of +,
ives, and little son, the image of his N
ather. :
He was nominated for the legislature +,
Hamilton county, O., was elected. :,
lie first Negro to ever sit as a member a
| the legislature of Ohio Here dates =,
is rise. Here dates his fall He rose "
nd fell at one and the same time. 8,
aradoxical though this may seem. vet
too true. As a member of the lepis E,
ture, when speaking on the floor Of -
lie house, his eloquence held the mem b.
ers and audience spell bound. His -,
gic was indisputable, his erudition -
surpassed yea, unequaled by any of on
5 colleagues He plunged into poll n
IS with an abandonment of all ideas l.
morals, principle or religion. In his no
unge he went to the bottom. he went ~
the top. He foated upon the waves -,
popularity, he was overwhelmed and a.
nkened by the waves Of unpopular -
?. Ills career while mem Der of the -.
glslature, was brilliant and vet I'M -
-upulous. -,
tor few dollars he attempted to -.
y traitor TO the interests of his race
lrh the Arnold here. To appease an r.
lmal passion he sacrificed virtua ana
pooled a home Mark the Burr here -.
low often have I sat in his home M
rSed the bliss, the devotion and love - -
It found an abiding place there. and
most envied the happiness of sucb :
ne Little did | dream then that 20.
! home Of bliss would ever give room -
me skeleton that would stranr1e its =,
'pness- Little did | then draar,, ~
the marital bliss that existed q =
re would be stabbed to death bv H.
ger OF unfaithfulness and that too @f -~
''s hand Yet such was true. u rs
Gorge Williams had a wife beloved r. r.
every one, as true little woman a. ~
plighted VOW with man. Sba ~
lg to him with devotion. with a.. az
and sacrifice that was ercan' ~ re-"
al lie
{ abandoned this true wife and her ~.
his child For what? .tle .
? follow the bend Of a depraved o .e.
Clar
lring his term as member of the man
stature he studied law, and was ASST.