The Monitor-register., 1897-08-06
How He Happened to Say It.

Every ma 4 in the United States is sup
posed to know what the "Governor of
North Carolina said to the Governor of
South Carolina" but perhaps some do
not know when and under what oircum-
stances the famous remark was made.
Nearly century ago a man promi-
nent in political affairs 10 N ,rth Caro-
lima, moved across the border and
settled in South Carolina. He had
been there only short time
when he committed some small
crime, for which he was Indicted, To
escaIe arrest he returned to his old home
in North Carolins. 10 due course OF
time the Governor Of South Carolina
issued his requisilion on the Governor of
North Carolina for the fugitive criminal.
The fugitive had rich and influential
friends in his native State, and they in.
terceded with the Governor until he re-
fused to grant the requisition. A long
official correspondence followed. Promi-
nent men in South Carolina told the
Governor tina. he had not been treated
with proper oincial courtesy by the
Governor of North Carolina. The result
was that the South Carolina Governor,
accompanied by large party of friends
and advisers. jonrneyed by stage to
Raleigh for a conference with the Gov.
ernor about the matter of giving up the
criminal. The Governor of North
Carolina, with large party of distin.
guished friends, met the Governor of
South Carolina and his party several
miles from town and escorted them to
the Governors mansion with all the
ceremony due such distinguished visi-
tors. Before the object of his visit was
stated the entire assemblage sat down to
an elaborate dinner. After dinner wine
was served, and after wine came brandy
the applejack for which the old North
State is famous.
After many rounds of drinks the de-
canters and glasses were removed and
the Governor of South Carolina stated
the object of his visit. He demanded
the surrender of the fugitive criminal. i.
The Governor of North Carolina refused i.
Then folio long and heated discus
sion, in which the Attorney. Generals of
the two States took an active part
FINALLY the Governor Of South Carolina
and 70 n 4.
"Sir. you have refused my just demand
and offended the dignity of my offi,s and
my state. Unless you at once surrender
the prisoner, will return to my capital,
call out the militia of the State, and re-
turning with my army, will take the
fugitive by force of arms. Governor,
what do you sayP
All eyes were turned on the Governor
of North Carolina. land his answer was
awaited with bTeathless interest. The
Governor rose slowly to his feet and
beckoned to servant who stood some
distance away. His beokoning was firm
and dignified, as became his position
He was slow about answering, and
again the Governor of South Carolina
demanded :: What do you say ?' .-
Il say, Governor, that it's a long time
between drinks" s......H .-+
The reply restored good humor. De-
cantors and glasses we're brought out
again, and while the visitors remained if
any one attempted to refer to the di.
plomatic 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 -
Florida Times Union