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The Butler Herald "KEEPING EVER LASTINGLY AT IT IS THESECRET OF SUCCESS” VOLUME 86 ~ BUALErTtAYLOR COtJNTY^GEORGIA, THURSDAY^ MAY 24, 1962. NUMBER 34. GARLAND T. BYRD WITHDRAWS FROM GUflknOR’S RACE DUE TO HEART ATTACK Garland Byrd Is a Study in How to Meet Adversity An Editorial From The Macon Telegraph At 37, Garland Byrd is a young man. He has accomplished much in these years. Almost half his life has been spent in public service. As lieutenant governor of Georgia, he gained maturity that brought him within a step of the governor’s mansion. But it is not Garland Byrd’s political maturity that is important now. Rather, it is the maturity that causes a man to accept, without defeat, the seemingly cruel blows of fate. The doctors’ report left Mr. Byrd no choice. He had to with- • draw from the governor’s race. He had to turn his back on all the years of toil, planning, of hoping. The lieutenant governor did have a choice, however, in the way he would react when his dreams turned to ashes. Instead of shaking his fist in rage and desparation, he said a prayer of gratitude that his attack came when he was with doctor friends who could treat him imme- dately and minimize the heart damage. Instead of bemoaning his fate, he smiles encouragement to his friends and speaks of the day when, completely recovered, he will once again enter the arena. The courage he and Mrs. Byrd have shown at this time of over whelming disappointment is an inspiration to all of Georgia . Until adversity comes, unex pectedly and with crushing force, no man knows whether his faith will sustain him. Garland Byrd knows. He has met the test. Garland Byrd Called Upon to Make Grave Decision An Editorial From Columbus Ledger-Enquirer Being Governor is a wonderful honor, but being alive is better. Especially when you have a charm ing wife, two fine children and a promising future. Thus, Garland Byrd, on, advice of doctors, decided to forego the governor’s race which he had planned so diligently for eight years. The decision must have been V * a heart-rending one, made after prayerful consideration and with the best interests of family, state and supporters in mind. Mr. Byrd can take comfort in the example of two other public serv ants who suffered similar heart at tacks, Dwight Eisenhower and Lyn don B. Johnson. Mr. Eisenhower, af ter proper recuperation, was able to run and be re-elected president and then serve for four trying years of crisis. At last reports he is still hale and hearty. Vice President Johnson was more severely stricken than Mr. Byrd according to available med ical evidence, but he recovered and became one of the outstanding Senate majority leaders in the na tion’s history and then, campaigned for and was elected to his present high post. Gov. Vandiver is another who has overcome the ill effects of a heart attack. The timing of Mr. Byrd’s illness was unfortunate for his present ambitions, but at the age of 37, he can look forward to other oppor tunities that may be as inviting as the current contest. The promptness of his decision to withdraw should be appreciated by his supporters who will now be free to choose and pursue another course in regards to the race. We were coming to the conclus ion that Mr. Byrd would make a fine governor. The contacts and the groundwork he has laid throughout the state can still serve him well another day. For the present, we wish him Godspeed toward a complete recov ery of health. This Page Bought And Paid For By Taylor County Friends of Garland T. Byrd