Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-18
BEN HILLS son.
His Manly Letter Declining the
Senatorial Appointment.

The following letter appears in the
Atlanta Constitution:
Hrs Ex~cELLEScY, GOVERNOR A. H.
CoLoUITT:
Dear Sir:-0n last Saturday about.
noon | received a note from an init
mate friend Of yours that you had
appointed me to the vacancy In the
United States Senate, caused by the
death of my father. During the after
noon Of the same day l was visited by
a distinguished gentleman, who told
me that you were considering the ap-
pOintment very iavorably and be called
to say to me that such an appointment
would meet bis appreciation. On last
Monday | saw in the press, and was
also informed by friends, that a peti-
ton was being circulated in the city
asking you to make the appointment.
1t is useless to say that | was deeply
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 unnecessary to say, also, that the
honor involved in your alleged pur-
pose, | realized fully that under our
republican institutions, aud the
healthy democratic sentiment that is
the life of these institutions, | had no
right to expect even a consideration
on the score of Inheritance. Ireal-
lied ever more fully that young and
inexperienced as | am, there was moth
ing in my reputation or ability that
would have drawn your attention to
me as an original choice. | gratefully
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 bis days of suffering, comlorted him
in his death, and brings consolation to
the sad hearts of his bereaved family.
Without a spark Of personal ambition
l hoped that the sentiment moving
you would find no dissent in other
quarters. Since then, however. oppo-
sltlon has been developed 20 the pro.
posed appointment. do not mean to
intimate that this opposition grows
out OF any want Of respect for nv
fathers memory. Oh, mol Those
who oppose it have doubtless good and
sufficient reasons. But the opposition
exists, and now, therefore anxiously
awaited your return to the city 10 urge
that you take no steps whatever in the
matter, but that you make answer to
the petition of my friends, if such a
petition be presented you, with this
letter. Had the appointment been
rendered me, backed by a unanimous
sentiment, and | had gained nv
consent to have accepted for
even fragment Of three
months, a position so far beyond my
aspirations or my deserts, | should
have done so humbly aud with a sense
Of conservation. Under the circum.
stances | could not accept it at ali.
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 mo-
meats with Joy and gratitude. il must
be SPONTANEOUS end without exciting
the slightest hostility to any one. /
should disturb his sacred memory
and violate every honorable sentiment
OF my nature if | eousen.ed to en-.
courage a wraugle over his mantle.
much less if l entered Toto thai
wrangle myself, aud sacrificed his
name to my CIV promotion. | thank
you, sir, for your repor. led inclination
to make this appointment. | thank
the friends who nave interested them
selves in my behalf. You and thew
a add to my gratitude by %acceptipe
this letter in the spirit in which II
Is written. | have not the s.. gbtest
criticism for those who have felt
called upon to oppose the purpose of
my friends. My father had too much
OF kindness aud honor from the peo i.
pie of Georgia while living, aud too
much devotion to his memory now
TOR my love to them to be shaken by
any course they may adopt toward hi.
son. Very respectfully, yours,
BENZ. H. Hill, JR.