Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1891-08-28
A FAMOUS SAYING.
The Incidents that Led Up to the Epi-
gram.
New York Sun.


Every man in the United States is
supposed to know what the governor
of North Carolina said to the governor
OF South Carolina but possibly some
do not know when and under what cir
cumstancrs the famous remark was
made. Nearly century ago a man
prominent in political affairs in North
Carolina moved across the border and
settled in South Carolina. He had
been there only short tine when he
committed some small crime or misdc-
meanor, for which he was indicted.
To escape arrest he returned to his old
home in North Carolina. In due
course of time the governor OF South
Carolina issued his requisition on the
governor of North Carolina for the fu-
gitive criminal.
The fugitive had influential friends
in his native State, and they interscded
with the governor until he refused to
grant the requisition. \ long official
correspondence followed Prominent
men in South Carolina told the gov
ernor that he had not been treated
with proper official courtesy by the
governor of NCrth Carolina. The re-
suit was that the South Carolina gov
crnor, accompanied by large party OF
friends and advisors, journeyed by stage
to Raleigh, the capital Of North Caro-
lima, for conference with the governor
about the matter of giving up the Grim
inal
The governor OF North Carolina, with
large party of distinguished friends,
met the governor of South Carolina
several miles from town and escorted
them to the governors mansion with
all the ceremony due such distin-
guiShcd visitors. Before the object OF
the visit was stated the entire party sat
down To an elaborate dinner. After
dinner wine was served and after wine
brandy-the applejack for which the
old north State is famous After many
rounds OF drinks the Lecanters and
glasses were removed and the governor
OF South Carolina stated the object of
his visit. He demanded the return of
the fugitive criminal. The governor of
North Carolina refused. Then followed
a long and heated discussion, in which
the attorney-gcnerals of the two States
took an active part.
Finally the governor OF South Caro-
lima grew angry, and, rising to his feet,
he said: "Sir, you have refused nv
just demand and offended the dignity
of my office and my State. Unless you
at once surrender the prisoner will re-
turn to my capital, call out the militia
OF the State, and, returning with my
army, | will take the fugitive by force
of arms. Governor, what do you say ?"
All eyes were turned on the governor
OF North Carolina, and his answer was
awaited with breathless interest. The
governor rose slowly to his feet and
beckOned to a servant who stood some
distance away. His beckoning was
firm and dignified, as became his posi-
ton. He was slow about answering,
and again the governor OF South Caro-
lima demanded: what do you say ?"
81 say, governor, that it's a long time
between drinks"
The reply restored good humor. De-
canters and glasses were brought out
again, and, while the visitors remained,
if any one attempted to refer to the dip
lOmatic object of the visit he was cut
short by the remark that it was long
time between drinks.
When the visiting governor was
ready to return home, he was escorted
to the State line by the governor of
North Carolina, and they parted the
best of friends.
The fugitive was never surrendered.