The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-09-28
GOVERNOR Nj. B. McswEENpY
a Gcorgtan's Estimate OF tho Chief
Magistrate OF South Carolina.

Magistrate OF South Carolina.
| Augusta Chronicle.
For a number OF years the writer
quaintance with Governor Nj. 8. Mo.
Sweeney, Of South Carolina. In the
memorable deadlock Congressional
convention at Aiken, whore Mr.. Nc
Sweeney was devoted champion OF
Congressman George d. Tillman, we
first came to know him we'll as hard
fighter, u loyal friend and man of
good Judgment and cool head. Since
then we have known him in the con-
sorvative conduct of his newspaper,
the Hampton Guardian, as the ropre-
sentative OF his people in the General
Assembly, as president Of the Senate,
as tho popular Lieutenant Governor OF
tho State, and moro recently as Its
chicf executive.
Thore chancod to como within our
knowledge tho prudent, considorate
ana soll-rospecting course Of tho Liou-
tenant Governor during tho days pre-
ceding tho death OF tho Governor,
when ho fingered fer week or so on
tho verge OF tho grave. Thore were
letters and kilograms calling him to
Columbia to assume tho of1ico OF Gov
crnor because Of the disability of Gov
crnor Ellerbe, which would have boon
entirely permissible undor the law.
We shall not soon forget the manli
ness and sincerity Of his speech in the
presence OF few Intimate friends at
that timo. 81 am free to confess nv
ambition to hold tho Oflico OF Cover
nor" said he, "but before would 20 to
Columbia and hang around liko / was
waiting for poor VIM. Ellerbe to die,
or before would soize the ollicc whilc
ho Is on the verge OF the grave, |
would rcnounce it forever. Tho ex-
ccutive Office kas got along thus far
| during the long weeks OF his illness,
and it can continue to Go so until tho
end. Governor Ellcrbe will dio in
harness without having tho honor
stripped from him by mo-"
That Is not a fairy tale, nor is IT
hcarsay. Tho manly and cOnsiderate
speech was made In our hearing
When the end camc, and Nj. B. Nc
Sweeney succeeded to the office OF
Governor, he did so with conscience
void OF offence and with honest sympa-
thy for the man who had fallen vic
tim to insidious disease. With what
credit Governor McSweancy has borne
himself in the high Office Is known to
tho people Of South Carolina. During
the past week 1T has chancud to DC our
fortune TO be thrown almost constantly
with Governor McSwecncy for four
days, under conditions FREQ from ro
restraint and prOm0tiyo Of intimacy
We found him absolutely unspoiled by
the high honor that has como to him.
While not unmindful Of tho dignity OF
his position, there is no trace OF AFRO
ganco or aifectatiOn in his department..
The friends Of Editor McSw wecney, OF
the Hampton Guardian, arc friends of
Governor McSwccney, and tho hum
blcst acquaintance no may have will
find no change in his greeting now
that he Is Governor.
Justly proud Of the honorable posi-.
ton he holds, no Is equally proud Of
tho complimentary manner IN which
tho people Of South Carolina made
him Lieutenant Governor by their
votos. A plain and unprctcntious man
OF tho people he claims to be nothir g
moro, DIt with an earnest devotion to
duty he Ia discnargihs 9TH simple
dignity and self-rcspcCting manlincss
the obligations Of his high office,
While he has worked his way up from
the bottom through arduous toll, and
cannot lay claim to the educational ai.
vantagcs and social graccs OF somo OF
shc courtly mon who huvo filed tho
chair OF Governor OF South Carolina,
nevertheless the Palmetto State will
never have occasion to blush for Gov
crnor McSwconcy. He is clean and
honest and manly-prOud OF his State
and loyal to his friends.
Princes and lords arc but tho breath
Of kings,
An honoBt man is the noblcst work oi
God"