The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-05-08
To the People Of South Carolina:

To the People Of South Carolina:
Twenty-Five years ago I asked you to
elect me to the office OF governor. You
did it, after q very hot campaign In which
I spoke in every county Of the State. Two
years later I ask for reelection. You
gave me the Office the second time by an
overwh Ginning vote. After four years OF
service in the governors Office, l asked
you to send me to the senate, and again,
after q heated canvass, you placed me In
the Office I now hold.
Il have held this Office for neatly IS
years, end I am asking you to reflect me
to it, although my health Is broken and l
am no longer the strong and vigorous man
I once was. I have q ripe experience and
thorough knowledge Of TIE working OF the
government, and have many warm per-
sonal friends in the departments and In
both branches Of congress.
I came to the senate in q cloud OF OBJ
|Iouuy on account Of the newspaper abuse
at home. l have fought my way In spite
OF It and have lived to see most OF the
newspaper men in the press gallery my
friends.
HAS GANED POSITION.
By long service and hard work, l have
won an enviable position in Washington,
and the State is entitled to whatever bene-
fit I have In places on the committees
which IAN only be obtained by such SER
vice.
have fattered no man and feared no
man in debate, and I have a strong desire
to Idle in harness." for sentimental rea'
sons only.
have no words that con express my ap-
probation and gratitude for the conf
dence and love you have given me In all
these years. II did not feel that my ex-
perience and intimate acquaintance with
public affairs will enable m to give &C
ceptable service In the future, I would not
ask reelection at your hands, but content
myself with the full measur OF the hon
ors you have given me already.
When I first came into public life, 1 met
a storm Of opposition, which was very
bitter and intense. 1t required intense
and aggressive action to overcome 1t; and
being combative by nature, / fought with
all my might for those things I thought
was right, and + won because you approx
ed my policies, my differences and my &C
lions.
Amid this exciting contest, many things
were said and done on both sides that, per-
haps, had better been left unsaid and un-
done. Men are but human, and when fir
ed by strong conviction, they speak and
do things when they afterward regret.
AS God Is my Judge, I never said any
thing but truth, OF did anything as Gov
ernor or senator, T did uot believe to be
for the public welfare. As I look back
over myacareer, I can see mistakes and
blundsrs, plenty Of them. but they were
honest blunders, and have permit
ted selfish ambition or petty revenge to
control my actions, I have tried to be SEN
ator Of all the people, as Twas governor Of
the whole State and my ambition had
been in the senate, to give the people the
best service OF which I was capable.
WONT TAKE STUMP.
Owing to my poor health and In accord
ance with the advise Of my physician. 1
shall not make any speeches during the
canvass this summer. All Of the old men
In the State have already heard me speak,
and II there are any young ones who,have
not and desire it, I shall take pleasure In
mailing such pamphlet copies Of some Of
my best speeches which l have yet on
hand. Nothing would delight me more
than to be able once again to see my old
friends face!to face, and 1t saddens me to
think that I shall never have this pleas
ure again.
shall hope that the people Of South
Carolina will not displace me by voting me
out, but that in some way will indicate q
wish for me to retire from thls position
because Of your belief that I am no longer
physically capable Of performing the du-
ties Of the Office. The senatorship has al
ways been regarded by ME as q sacred
trust, and If I knew you wanted me to
surrender it, I would gladly lay it down,
cocscious that I have done my duty al
ways to the best Of my ably.
B. r. Tilman.