Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-24
BOB TAYLoR's vALED1cToRY.
Will Go Where He May Think and
Dream.

Will Go Where He May Think and
Dream.
At Nashville Tenn. when Governor
Robert i. Taylor retired from official
life and Benton McNiilln took the oath
Of Office as Governor, the former spoke
as follows:
MIR. Speaker. Ladies and Gentlemen:
| am about to shuttle off this mortal
coil of nolitics and fly away to the
heaven of my native mountains, where
| may think and dream in peace. safe
from the sickcning sting of unjust
criticism: safe from the talons of some
old political vulture; safe from the
Shiny kiss and the keen dagger of
inGratitude.
Il do not mean to say that all politi-
clans arc vultures or that they are all
hypocrites or assassins. for the great
majority of our public men are up-
right and honest. and worthy of the
confidence reDoscd in them by the peo-
pie; yet. there are black wings in the
political ornament, and reptiles crawl
ana mss IN every capitol. But, thank
God, the live thunders OF eternal truth
Always clear the atmosphere and the
heel of justice will surely bruise tho
scrpent's head.
do not retire from this office with
the ranking of disappointment and
chagrin In my bosom, but rather as ono
war TO peace; from trouble to happi
ness. ""ph'-
DO not retire, the sonambulist OF q
nat'ered dream, but with all the buds
oI nope bursting into bloom and all
ne bowers Of the future ringing with
, ,meio sr am contented with my lot in
NE. lhree times I have won the laurel
wreath OF honor, twned by the people
or my native State, and that is glory
enough for me.
while believed that the good in
,"lillcs outweigh the bad. yet how
me pilgrimage to him who dares to 10
MS oulXi Ihere- arc flowers excent
rev bouquets snatched from tho
groves of fallen foes: there is no han
piness eXcept the transient thrill Of
cruel triumph. which passes ike
SHADOW across the heart
Every honest man who runs FOR
otilce is candidate for trouble. for
me fruits of political victory turn to
ashes on the Inns. ~
10 me there is nothing in this worlo
SO palmetto as candidate He IS like
a mariner without compass. drifting on
the tempeSt-tossed waves Of uncertain
ty. between the smiling cliffs NJ hnno
ana me frowning crass Of fear. He
Is walking petition and a liv,nc
prayer: he is the pack horse OF nuh'
nc sentiment: he is the dromedary or
ponies And even IL he reaches tho
goal or his ambition. he will soon feel
me peak OF the vulture In his heart
ana me lang OF the serpent In his soul
take with me heart full of grail.
tude and soul fu!! OF precious memo.
1es; Eratitude 10 the people for their
nnwaver!ng confidence In me: precious
memories OF my friends Who have been
kind and true 'ee"
The record that 7 have made Is an
open book TO ALL am willing TO die nv
1t. For whatever mistakes I NAV havs
committed. ] have kept steadily in view
he honor OF the State and the hanpI-
ness of The people.
1T only remains for me to bid you all
an anecHonate and final farewell. and
70 express the prayer that Christ who
died for love and mercy's sake w,ll
guide our Chief Executive and all who
shall follow him in the paths of peace
and love, and baptize them with the
spirit OF mercy. Farewell, farewell"