Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-06-21

was tenderly lifted out and helped for
ward to deposit his vote. The sympa-
thetic bystanders cheered the poor fel-
low, who was taken back to his hum
BILE home, where he collapsed and lived
but a few hours.
That single vote elected Daniel Kelso
state senator from Switzerland county.
Ind.-a fact which appears in the Of
flcial records Of the year 1S43.
The burning question at that time be-
fore the country was the admission of
Texas into the Union. The south fa-
vored it, for it would increase the
slave area Immensely, and for the same
reason the north bitterly opposed the
step. Moreover, it was certain that If
the step was taken it would bring on a
war with MEXICO. The fire was smoul-
dering and required but slight fam
ming to break into uncomfortable flame.
Our neighbor was determined to OBJ
tain possession Of Texas and would not
agree to the boundary line claimed by
llCiy oiC oo oPAiSio W
the United States. Texas contended
that she owned the territory as far
south as the Rio Grande, while Mex1-
co maintained that her ownership ceas-
ed at the Neuces. Many unprejudiced
persons claimed that, at best, the ad-
mission Of Texas would prove Of doubt
full advantage, since the word Texas
was only Taxes" with the letters In
different positions. 1t may be well to
note here the half-forgotten legend
that, after Texas became ours. our gov
ernment asked Mexico to name the bo-
nus which she would accept for taking
her back, and Mexico shook her head
and replied, Nay, nay" But that was
a joke.
The legislature to which Daniel Kel-
so was elected was called upon to
choose a United States senator. The
regular Democratic candidate announc-
ed himself as opposed to the admission
of Texas. This so exasperated Kelso
that he bounced out Of the caucus, TAX
ing with him a friend, and swore that
he would hold out till the crack OF
doom before casting a vote for the
disloyal candidate, his friend standing
by him.
Their action deadlocked the legisla-
ture, which met day after day, only tc
adjourn without accomplishing any
thing by its balloting. 1t may be I'M
agined what a lively time Kelso and
his comrade had, and what means was
taken to whip them into line. They
were threatened, promised, cajoled, ar
gued with. smiled, scowled upon, and
even threatened with personal violence
but both stood like rock.
Gentlemen" finally said Kelso, with
compressed lips, I'VE are all anxious te
perform our constitutional duty-tha,
of electing q United States senator;
and there is one single way and only
one by which it can be brought about
Edward A. Hannigan represents oul
views and Is sound Democrat; the
choice must be either he or the WING
candidate"
The situation was precisely as stated
by Kelso. Edward Hannigan took his
seat in congress. The bill for the ad-
mission of Texas passed the senate by
a single vote and that was cast by
Hannigan. That such action would
have been taken ultimately by con.
gress was a part of the logic Of events
but had Hannigan voted the other way
the measure would have failed for the
time being. 1t is therefore an histori-
cal fact that the vote Of a dying mar
in the backwoods Of Indiana, brought
on the war with Mexico.-Los Angeles
Times