The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1898-03-11
HE IS WEARY
OF POLITICS.
Gov. Taylor Is Out of the Race
For Senator.
He Announces That After This Term
as Governor, He viii Retire
to Private Life.
Tired of the AntagOnisms and Violent
COnten tions of the Political Arena
In the Harness for Twenty
Years.

Gov. Robt L. Taylor has decided
to leave the field of politics forever,
after the expiration of his present
term as Governor, and seek a hap
pier and more congenial field of
work. He is out of the race for
Senator, leaving Senator Bate in the
field alone.
This announcement was made by
the Governor last Saturday, and
even his closest friends were taken
by surprise. He submitted the fol-
lowing card to the public:
To the Peopte.-I have fully and
finally determined to retire from
politics. / do so because | am tired
of political life. / am tired of its
neutrality-suspicious.. L am tired
of its unjMt accusations and its vio-
lent contention. l am tired of it be-
cause as l grow older 1 find myself
less and less able to bear the stings
Of criticism and the stabs of slander.
| am tired of 1t because there is no
peace in it for me, and because
/ believe that 1 can do more
good and nave more friends and
more happiness in the private walks
of life.
III had an office to give to every
friend who asks, and a pardon for
the son of every old weeping moth
er, and the husband of every Sob
bing wife, If had money to put in
all the bopy hands of poverty daily
extended to me for help; If had
power to protect the weak against
the strong; if could give happiness
to all the people and sorrow to none,
} I would be contented to remain in
the field of politics.
Tt is true / have remained In it
long time, and have fought vigor-
ously for the principles and policies
of Government which [ thought
, were best for our country. L have
had my ambitions and have earnest
ly sought to reach high position In
order that might be able to benefit
my fellow men. | have succeeded,
but the realization was like the rain
7 bow, an elusive phantom, ever in
sight, never in reach, resting ever
on the horizon Of hope, and have
, discovered that he who climbs to
the summit of political prominence
3 will look down with Nlonging eyes
r upon the humber plane Of life be-
p low and wish his feet had never
wandered from it's warmer sunshine
and sweeter flowers.
g Twenty years OF anxiety, and nerv-
Gus strain and the pe"ils and sweat
of political campaigning and official
i agony will have been rounded up
;. with the close of my present term OF
office, and l will be ready to gladly
surrender all my hopes of further
IS political promotion to others who
!. are more ambitious, and who FIND
~ delight in giving and receiving
" blows L have concluded that
n twenty wears of such life is enough
for any one man of my tempera'
ment.
h Three times | have borne the ban
ner of my party among the noun
tain fastnesses OF the First Con
IS gressional District, six times / have
d canvassed Tennessee from Bristo
r to Memphis, three times | have worr
the honors of Governor of my native
state. Whether l have fought tn,
a. battles we'll or not, whether | hav,
been a faithful servant l will leav,
= to the verdict of the people whom
e have served so long.
f I did not wish to enter the stfug
4 ole of 1896. but my party com
" handed and there was nothing lief
for me to do but to obey.
Since my election | have neve
N had that fixed purpose which i
le necessary to the achievements o
o success in politics. / have waveret
. because had an unconquerable de
II sire to quit the life of a politician
is and to enter happier and NOR
m peaceful fields of labor. have neve
wavered one iot or little in the per
formance of my duty in office, bu
I. only as to what 1 should do wit
of reference to my own personal future
I feel conscious that l have bee
Is true to nv trust and true to the peo
~ nile. Had | not been true to them
Is might have had a smoother pat
- and a softer pillow; but / have al
! wavs believed it better to walk /
u the thorny path OF duty ana slee
mon the hard pillow of care for tn
sake of right; l have believed it bet
a ter to suffer the bruises and wound
20 of criticism for the welfare and hap
piness of the people than to lol o
OF flowery beds of ease with a guilt
Id conscience aud trust betrayed.
Of The best energies of my youth an
vounp manhood have been given
u the service of my party and m
y country. have made many mis-
s. takes; who has not? But hav
,e tried to be faithful.
- I shall carry many regrets wit
"a "a me into private life. l have otte
III been compelled TO deny tavors
e. those whom / love because ha
in not enough to go around. L hay
ly often antagonized men whom | hoI
n or and esteem, in the struggle tC
ks political preferment. In obedienc
No -. -, ,,,ond Of dutv 1 have uI