The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1902-08-01
South caroIinians in Texas.

After january, 1908, Judge John
III. Reagan will retire from public to
private life. He is "a man too we'll
and favorablv known possibly to the
readers of The TINES for me to say
anything about him which will be
new or of much interest to them.
Then, Mr.. Editor, l am well aware
of the fact that my pen is too feeble
and childlike to do this noble man
justice. [ am not much given to
deifying men or to hero worship, but
| must confess his very presence is
one which commands awe and re-
spect. L can understand why Presi-
dent Jefferson Davis wanted him in
the cabinet court of the G. S. Gov
ment. | can understand why the
people Of Texas wanted him to rep.
resent them in so many public
capacities. [ can understand why
he is SO universally respected and
held in such high esteem by his
countrymen. Isay | can understand
all these, because he is honest,
courageous and pure. l had not the
pleasure of seeing Judge Reagan
until 1894, when he stood for the
governorship of this commonwealth.
Mr.. Lauham, of South Carolina, also
stood for the same office the same
year. Judge Reagan's chances for
the nomination were the best of any
candidate before the convention, but
when the platform for the State cam
paign was adopted it did not suit the
old Roman AMI he soon told the con-
vention that he did not want. the
nomination, whereupon Chas. A.
Culberson was nominated. From
that day l have honored the man for
the loftiness of his character and the
courage of his convictions. That
convention knew that Judge Reagan s
declaration was final and it did not
even attempt to force the nomination
upon him which he would have
scorncd no doubt. The people of
Texas have beer brought almost face
to face with the fact that their first
citizen, in public sense, will soon
go into retirement from the labors he
has been engaged in for about fifty
years. He has received the honor
able title Sage of Palestine" and
right well does he deserve it. Judge
Reagan, as did the great Robt. Lee,
advised his people for peace and sub
mission to "the powers that be- after
the Civil War. When he was re-
leased from prison he returned to his
home and it seems the Federal gov
ernment misunderstood Reagan's
"letter to his people, and offered him
the civil .governorship of the State.
The representative of the Federal
government found him between his
plow handles, but he very decidedly
scorned all offers of rulership that
were shadowed with the power of the
bayonet. Judge Reagan has been in
public life ewes since Texas was a
State aud before,0 a period much
longer than most men wear the pubs
lie official harness. Look around
you in South Carolina and name a
few who have been in public favor
half as long. AS you doubtless
know he is the father and originator
Of the Interstate Railroad law and
an ardent supporter Of the Texas
railway commission law. Elected to
the United States Senate he served
in this honorable capacity only a
short while until he was called upon
by his State to accept the presidency
Of the Railway Commission. He pa
triotically and submissively laid
down the senatorial toga which
promised more honors and more
emoluments than the presidency of
the Railway Commission to take
upon himself in his old age the
arduous duties of that office. | say
it, and / believe it, that he was moved
and prompted by the glory and salts
faction OF serving the people OF
Texas, and believe it because he
has filled the office with the ardor
and enthusiasm much younger
men. Do not th'nk it strange of his
retiring from public life as he is
growing old. He is, l think, some
where in the eighties, and certainly
he is entitled to short season Of
rest and quiet before he passes to the
great beyond-to that borne from
whence no traveller ever returns
! Yesterday (July 15) at Galveston