The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-06-07
To Succeed In Politics.
Senator Foraker Points Out the Necessary Qualifications
His Own Experience in Political Life.

! an asked to tell how | came 10 get
into politics: what was my first politi-
cal success; what | would advise young
men TO Go who desire to achieve political
success: and whether or not | think the
rewards of public life are sufficient TO
justify Il poor man in going into politics.
| got into politics naturally enough
and yet accidentally-at least not pur-
posely. | went into the army in 1862
when but sixteen years of age. and be
fore | had completed my education. |
served three years until the close Of
the war and then ut nineteen came
home from the eNcitcmentS Of the field.
and eSumed my studies. 1t was 4 time
Of great political events. There WAS
intense feeling. Great men We're on the
Sta@e. and great questions were engag-
ing attention. We were working out
the settlements Of the war. | naturally
took interest in all that was occurring.
and thus became familiar with politics
before quitting the academic life.
left school Notwithstanding. with
out any thought Of engaging in
public affairs. On the contrary | had
a fixed determination to adhere strict
y and exclusively to the practice Of
the law. | got along very We'll III that
profession until General Grants second
campaign i'll 1872. | was his great ld-
mircr and could not resist the tempta
ton to take the stump and make an
SWcr AZ best | could to the fierce
charges Of various kinds that were
made against him. This was the put
ting Of the hand to the plough, and
there was no turning back.
The demands for campaign work
grew with the years. and before |
knew it | was being mentioned favor
| a IIN- IN c4lnnatjnl Wit, nffnia1 ,nlI-
tons. and finally in April. 1879. had my
first personal success in the shape Of an
election to the office Of Judge Of the Su-
perior Court of Cincinnati. After three
years Of agreeable official life | became
Ill. and OH that account resigned.
quickly regained my health. however,
and once more engaged III the practice of
law. | had no thought of returning to
public life. | was therefore,. surprised.
rs we'll as gratiticd when the following
Year. $ | was nominated for Cover
nor without opposition and by acclama-
tion. Since then | have had 4 very active
and 1T times rather temneStuouS eNDc-
ricnce. In my first campaign for Gov
crnor the liquor question was uppermost
in the minds Of the people. and I was
defeated, but two years later. in 1850. |
WAS r~e-nominatcd and elected. WAS re
elected in 1887 and rc-nominated in 1889
for the fourth time and Tor 4 third term
and again defeated.
| was Il candidate for United States
Senator i'll 1892. but was defeated by
Senator Sherman. who received fifty
three votes to my thirty-cight. In 1896
WAS elected to the Senate without Re
publican opposition.
| attended the National Republican
conventions Of 1881. 1883. 1892 and 1896.
each time as i delegate at large and
each time chosen 10y acclamation. In
1881 and again in 1NSS | WAS Chairman
of the Ohio delegation. and both times
presented the name of Senator Sher-
man IL ohio'S candidate for the preSi-
dcncy. In 1892 and again in 1896 | was
Chairman OF the Committee on HaSo-
buttons. and rs such each time reported
The National Republican platform to
the Convention. ! also. III 1896, placed
President Mcl\inlcy'> name III nomina-
ton. In MI these years | have taken
m active part ON the stump. not only
in Ohio. but also i'll ether States.
| mention all this because I am asked
10 do 80 and because it will Indicate
that | have not only had considerable
experience. but that it has been of I
varied character. While | have hal
some success. | have also had my full
share Of defeats and diSappointments.
some Of these defeats have been be
cause Of my oWn faults and mistakes
and some of them because Of conditions
and circumstances beyond my CON
troll. Defeats generally hurt 4
man. especially when attributable to
his own mistakes. but they are rot in
~surmountahlc. even in such cases when
accepted Accomplishments and when
they do not involve lack of integrity or
sincerity. The people do not expect
or really desire perfection. or even a
very close approximation Ia it. | do not
know but that they like those who now
and then show that they are flesh and
blood by ordinary mistakes of Judg-
mcnt better than those who never fail
to do exactly the right thing. 1t is the
difference between hot blood and cold
impulse and calculation.
Mr.. Ford has done Il good work by
his new book. THE True George
Nashinuton.' He has brought that
great character with all its work and
SubIimity into closer touch with man
Kind. He has established Il relationship
between Washington and the rest of the
human family. whereas according to
Wocms and most other ~bioeraphcrS there
was none. and aS 4 result there IS 4
marked increase Of affcctionate regard
and admiration for the father Of his
country. Since we know that with all
his greatness and goodness he yet had
many Of the shortcomings that aftllct
other people. we feel much better ac-
quaintcd with him. and look upon him rs
Il more agreeable person To meet on the
pathway Of life.
Recurring now to your questions. It IS
upon this kind of experience that |
would advise a Young man to consider
well before he enters politics. Unless he