The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-05-07
SENATOR B. R. TILLMAN \.
WILL Not TAKE STUMP
CANDIDATE FOR REFLECTION.
BIT CAN NOT MAKE SPEECHES.
In an Open Letter to the People OF
South Carolina the Senator Re-
views His Record.

To the People of South Carolina:
Twenty-Five years ago l asked you to
elect me to the Office of governor. You
did it, after a very hot campaign IN
which I spoke in every county Of the
State. Two years later asked for re-
election. You gave me the Office the
second time by an overwhelming vote
After four years of service in the gov
ernors Office I asked you to send me
to the senate; and again, after heat
ed canvass, you placed me in the Of
fee now hold.
I have held this Office for nearly 1S
years, and 1 am asking you to re-elect
me to it, although my health is brok-
en- and 1 am no longer the strong and
vigorous man I once was, have ripe
experience and thorough knowledge
of the workings of the government,
and have many warm personal friends
in the departments, and in both
branches of congress.
/ came to the senate in cloud of
,obloquy on account Of newspaper
abuse at home 1 have fought my way
in spite of it and have lived to see most
of the newspaper men in the press
gallery my friends.
By long service and hard work 1
have won an enviable position in
Washington, and the State is entitled
to whatever benefit I have in places
on the committees which can only be
obtained by such service.
I have fattered no man and feared
no man in debate, and 1 have stronS
desire to "die in harness" for senti-
mental reasons only.
I have no words that can express
NV appreciation and gratitude for the
confidence and love you have given me
in all these years. If I did not feel
that my experience and intimate ac-
quaintance with public affairs will
enable me to give acceptable service
3n the future, I would not ask re-elec-
ton at your hands, but content myself
with the full measure of the honors
you have given me already.
When 1 first came into public life 1
met storm of opposition, which was
very bitter and intense. It required
lntense and aggressive action to over
come it; and being combative by ma
Sure, 1 fought with all my might for
those things I thought were right; and
/ won because you approved my poll
cies, my utterances, and my actions.
Amid this exciting contest many
things were said and done on both
sides that, perhaps, had better been
left unsaid and undone. Men are but
human, and when fired by strong con-
viction, they speak and do things
which they afterwards regret. AS God
is my Judge, 1 never said anything but
truth, or did anything as governor or
as senator 1 did not believe to be for
the public welfare. AS look back
over my career, can see mistakes and
bIunders, plenty of them, but they were
honest blunders, and have never per
mitted selfish ambition, or petty re-
venge to control my actions. l have
tried to be senator Of all the people,
as I was governor of the whole State,
and my ambition has been, in the SEN
ate, to give the people the best service
of which was capable.
Owing to my poor health and in ac-
.,cordance with the advice of my ply
sician, 1 shall not make any speeches
during the canvass this summer. All
of the old men in the State have al
ready heard me speak, and if there are
any young ones who have not and de-
sire it, 1 shall take pleasure in mailing
such pamphlet copies Of some of my
best speeches which / have yet on
hand. Nothing would delight me more
than to be able once again to see my
old friends face to face, and it saddens
NE to think that l shall never have
this pleasure again.
71SRall hope that the people of South
Carolina will not displace me by vot-
ing me out, but that in some way you
will indicate a wish for me to retire
Srom this position because of your be-
lief that 1 am no longer physically ca
pable Of performing the duties of the
Office, The senatorship has always
'aeen regarded by me as sacred trust,
: ano. if l knew you wanted me to sur