The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-10-04
VOL >, XVI. ] Il. 4 . 80 sc
nj ZEN HILL'S SOM

HIS MANLY LETTER DECLINING THR
SENATORIAL APPOINTMENT. NJ y 3
The following letter appears in
the Atlanta Constitution; = + -yyt.. d.
His ExcELLFNeY, GOvRRNoR "A. III.
COLOUR: .Aasmae-fTsa - tl-Nysy '''
Dear Sir:-Ohlast Saturday about
noon received note from an init
mate friend of yours that you had
appointed me to the vacancy in tho
United States Senate, caused by the
death of my father. During the at
ternoon Oft the same day Twas visit
ed by distinguished gentleman,
who told me that you were consid-
ering the appointment very ysfitvora.
bly,, and he called to say to me that
such an appointment would meet
his approbat on. On last Monday
| saw in the press, and was also in
formed by friends, that a petition
was being circulated in the city ask
ing you to make the apI ointment.
1t is useless to say that / was deep
ly touched at the unexpected news
that you would most probably, as
the official head of the people of
Georgia, pay this tribute to the
memory of my father. 1t is unnec-
essary to say, also, that the honor
involved in your alleged purpose, /
realized fully that under our repub-
lican institutions, and the healthy
democratic sentiment that is the
life of these institutions, / had no
right to expect even a considera-
ton on the score of inheritance. j
realized even more fully that young
and experienced as l am, there was
in my reputation or ability
that would have drawn your atten-
ton to me as an original choice. j
accepted the suggestion
as another evidence Of the love of
the people of Georgia for my father
"a love that honored him in his
life, sustained him in his days of
suffering, cOmforted q him in his
death, and brings consolation to the
sad hearts of his bereaved family.
spark of personal ambi-
ton / hoped that the sentiment
you would find no dissentin
0ther quarters. Since then, howev-
er, opposition has been developed TO
The proposed appointment. / do
not mean to intimate that this op-
position grows out of any want of
respect for my fathers memory.
Oh, no! Those who oppose it have
doubtless good and sufficient rea-
sons. But the opposition exists, and
now, therefore. anxiously awaited
your return to the city to urge that
you take no steps whatever in the
natter, but that you make answer
o the petition of my friends, if such
petition be presented TO J ou, with
his letter Had the appointment
oeen rendered me, backed by a
unanimous sentiment, and I had
gained my consent to have accepted
or even 3 fragment of three months,
! position SO far beyond my aspira-
ions or my deserts, | should have
lone so humbly and with sense of
Under the circum-
tances | could not accept it at all.
70 make it the honor that / should
lave cherished above all things else
n life, and the tribute that would
lave filled my dear fathers last mo-
nents with joy and gratitude, it
must be spontaneous and without
xciting the slightest hostility to
ny one. [ should disturb his ga
red memory and violate every hon
rable sentiment Of my nature if
onsented to encourage a wrangle
yer his mantle, much less if / en-
cred into that wrangle myself, and
acrifced his name to my own pro-
notion. thank you, sir, for your
eported inclination to make this ap-
/ thank the friends who
ave interested themselves in my
ehalf You and they can add 10
ny gratitude by accepting this let
Or in the spirit in which it is writ
en-. | have not the slightest criti-
ism for those who have felt called
pom to oppose the purpose of my
lends. Ny father had too much
kindness and honor from the
eople of Georgia while living, and
70 much devotion to his memory
Ow for my love to them to be shaE-
q by any course they may adopt
ward his son. Very respectfully,
ours, BENZ Ill. HILL, JR.
-.