The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-01-20
TAYLCR'S

/, q 0s 'oios:' 'N'l06S farewell address to the Legislature was as
M. Speaker, Ladies aud Gentlemen-I am about to shuttle off this
mortal coil Of polite, and fly away to the haven of my native mountains,
where may think and dream in peace, safe from the sickening sting OF
unjust criticism: safe from the talous of some old political vuturc: safe
from the slimy hiss OF hypocrisy ant. the keen dagger of ingratitude.
Il do not mean to say that all politicians are vunures, or that they
are all hyper''es and aSsas'ins' for the great majority of our public men
are upright and honest, and worthy of the confidence .eposed in them by
theSc crawl and hiss in every capital. But. thank God, the live thunders Of
eternal truth always clear the atmosphere, and the heel of Justice will
bruse the serpentts head.
Il do not retire from this high office with the rankings of dssappolnt-
ment aud cbagrin in my bosom. but rather As n who retires from labor to
rest: from war to peace; from trouble to happiness.
81 DO not retire the somnanublst Of a shattered dream but with all
the buds Of hope bursting into bloom and all the bowers of the ful re
ringing with melody am content with my lot IN life, Three times I
have worn the laurel wreath of honor twined by the people of my native
state. and mat is glory enough for me.
'NHJe believe tHt tie good in politics mItveigls the bad. vet how
unhappy The pilgrimage O MIN who darcs to do his duty. They are no
flower, except Il few ho1r@s zuatcaed from the graves of fallen foes: there
rs no happiness except me transient thrill Of cruoI triumph which passes
Every honest man wt" runs for Office is u candidate for trouble, tpr
fruits Of political victory tun 70 ashes on the lips.
"T"mc there isnothing in this world so pathetic as candidate. lie
Is nke Il mariner without u compass, drifting on the temp esttossed waves
OF uncertainty between the smiling cliffs of hopes and the frowning crags
of fear. lie is a walking petition and a living prayer; he is the hack
horse Of public sentiment; lie is the dromedary Of politics. And if he
reaches the goat Of his ambition he will soon feel the beak of the vulture in
his heart and the fang of the serpent in his sou.
II am no longer a candidate. Never again will / be inaugurated into
public office The ark of my humble public career rests o the Ararat Of
private life and stand on its peaceful summit and look down on the re-
ceeding flood of politics. The dove of my destiny has brought me an olive
HF H. ! IWi happier hclcS. ana | go hence to labor and to love.
II tdNe with me a heart full OF gratitude and a soul full Of nrecions
memories; gratitude to the people fn their unwavering confidence in me;
precious memories of my friends who have been kind and true,
The record have made lis an open book to all. / am willing to live
by tina, record-I am willing to die by it. For whatever mistakes I nav
have committed, have kept steadfasty in view the honor of the state and
the happiness of the people.
as have already presented my views IN public questions in nv re-.
cent message to the general assembly, / deem it unnecessary and inanpro.
pirate 10 further discuss them on this happy occasion; happy to our new
governor, happy to you, happy to me, happy to us al.
sit only remains for me to bid you all an aGectionate and final farewell.
and to express the prayer that the Christ who died for love and mrcy 5
sake will guide our chief executive, and who shall follow him in the paths
of peace and love and baptize them with the spirit Of mercy.
"FarcwcN. Farewel.n