The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-11
HOW HE HAPPENED 70 SAYi-.
Historic Observation of GvSernar Of n. q
to Governor OF :. &.

Historic Observation Of GvSernar OF No
to Governor OF 5. g.
Every man in the United States is
supposed 10 know what the Cover
nor of North Carolina said to the
Governor Of South Carolina, but per,
haps some do not know when ard un.
der what circumstances the famous re-
mark was made.
Nearly a century ago 3 man pIomI-
nent in political affairs In North Car
DINA moved across the border and set
lied IN South Carolina. He had been
there only a short time when he com
mitted some small crime, for which
he was indicted. 50 escape arrest he
returped 10 his cid home in North
Carolina. In due courss Of time the
governor OF South Carolina issued his
requisition on the governor of North
Carolina for the fugitive criminal.
The fugitive had rich and intiue1'
tial friends in his native State, and
they interceded with tee governor u0'
til re refused to grant the requsltlon.
4 long official correspondence fol
loved. Prominent nen IL South Car,
lima told the governor that he had not
been treated with proper official cour'
tesy by the governor OF North Carol
ma. The result was that the South
Carolina governor, Sccompanled by a
large party Of friends and advisers,
journeyed by stage to Raleigh, for a
conference with the governor OF North
Carolina with g large party OF distin:
cuised friends met the governor OF
South Carolina snd his psrty several
miles from town and escorted them to
the governors mansion with all the
ceremony due such distinguished Wis
TORS. Before rhe object OF his visit
was stated the entire a~ssemb!age 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 oe-
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.
The governor of North Carolina re:
fused. Then followed a long and
heated discussion, in which the
attorneys general of the two States
took an active part. Finally the gov
ernor of South Cal DINA grew angry,
and rising to his feet said:
Sir you have refused my justdemand
and offended the dignity of my Office
and my State. Unless you at once
surrender the prisoner, I will return
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
say2"
All eyes were turned on the COVER
nor of North Carolina, and his answer
was awaited with GREATNESS interest.
The governor rose slowly to his feet
and beckone6 to a servant who stood
some distance away. His reckoning
was firm and dienifed, as became his
position. He was slow about answer.
ing, and again the governor OF South
Carolina demanded: "What do you
say?"
II say, governor, that its 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
diplomatic object of the visit, he was
cut short by the remark that it was
a long time between drinks. When
the visiting governor was ready to re.
turn 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.