Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-15
THE VACANT sENATOBsHIP.
Letter from Mr.. b. ii. Hill, Jr., DECLINING
the appointment.

Yesterday the telegraph announced that
Mr.. B. II. Hill, Jr., had declined the sp-
pointment of United States Senator to 6lI
the unexpired term OF his deceased father
The following Is his letter OF declination n
Governor Colquitt:
HIS E1ceResacy, Governor 4. II. Oolo,tia.
DEAR SIR-On last Saturday about Noon
received a note from an intimate friend N
yours that you had decided to appoint me-
to the vacancy in the United State Senate
caused by the death Of my father. During
the afternoon Of the same day was visited
py distinguished gentleman, who told me
| that you were considering the appoIntmert
very favorably, and he called IN Deus eas
to me that such an appointment
would meet his appreciation. On lasf
| Monday saw in the press, and was also in
formed by friends, that petition was beino
| circulated In the city asking you TO nsl-ee
the appointment. It is useless TO saw that
was deeply touched at the unexpected news
that you would most probably, as the off,
cial head of the people of Georgia, paw this
tribute to the memory of my father II h
unnecessary TO say, also, that never for an
instant took to myself any OF the honor in
volved in your alleged purpose. realized
fully that under our republican institutions.
and the healthy Democratic sentiment that
is the life Of these institutions, / had
no right to expect even a cOnsidera-
tion on the score of inheritance. l
realized even more fully that Young
and inexperienced as I am, there was MOTH
ing in my reputation or ability that would
have drawn your attention to me as an oriQi-
nal choice. l gratefully accepted the sug-
gestion as another evidence of the love or
the people OF Georgia for nv father love
that honored him in his life, sustained him
In his days of suffering, comforted him in
his death, and brings consolation to the sad
hearts OF his bereaved family. Without a
spark Of personal ambition, | hoped that
the sentiment moving you would find no
dissent In other quarters. Stree then, how
ever, opposition has been developed to the
proposed appointment. / do not mean to
intimate that this opposition grows out of
any want of respect for my fathers
ssmory. Oh, mol Those who oppose 1t have
doubtless good aud sufficient reasons. But
the opposition exists, and l now therefore
anxiouslY await your retdrn to the city to
urge that YOU take no steps whatever IN the
matter, but that you make answer to the
petition OF my friends, II such petition be
presented you, with this letter. Had the
appointment heen rendered me backed ~
a unanimous sentiment, ana / had gained
my content to da7e accepted for even a
lragmenU OF three months, position 50 iar
u
should have done so humbly and with a
sense of consecyation. Under these circum-
stances l could not accept Il at al. To
make It the honor that l should have
cherished above all things else in
life. and the tribute that would have
filed my dear fathers last moments
with Joy and gratitude, It must be spontane-
GUS and without exciting the slightest hos
tility to anyone. l should disturb his sacred
memory and violate every honorable senti-
ment of my nature IL l consented to encour-
age wrsngle over his mantle, much less IL
l entered into that wrangle myself, and sac
rificed his name to my own promotion. l
thank you, sir, for your reported inclination
to make this appointment. l thank the
friends who have interested themselves In
my behalf. You and they can add to my
gratitude by accepting this letter in the
spirit In which 1t is written. have not the
slightest criticism for those who have felt
called upon to oppose the purpose Of my
friends. My father had too much OF kind
ness and honor from the people OF Georgia
while living, and too much devotion to his
memory now, for my love for them to be
shaken BY any course they may adopt to-
wards his son.
Very respectfully yours,
BENZ. H. HILL, JR.