Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-24
The aalithta Daily EaeIe aduesda aorine April a.

The
of others before ME, and constantly pict-
ured for myself old age and failure. Icould
not consent, could not gain my own consent
to continue longer in political life; and
therefore resolutely turned my face against
the allurements of evanescent fame, and
declared myself out Of politics. That de-
termination cost me the ruthless sacrifice
of personal ambition, pride and seif-con-
sciousness In a sense. But it was necessa-
nv TO a man who loves his wife and children.
/ shall never accept Office again under any
circumstances"
Hon. Knute Nelson was one of the rugged,
honest figures in the last three congresses.
He came to the United States from Norway
when boy, almost baby Scarcely had
he attained manhood when the civil war
burst in earthquake shock upon our coun-
try. Knute Nelson shouldered musket in
q Wisconsin regiment and went to the
front He was a soldier all through the
war. and when it was over he studied law,
went tn the Wisconsin Legislature, re-
moved to Minnesota, became a leader of the
Scandinavians of the northwestern portion
of Minnesota, and could probably have re-
NAMED in Congress for many years; but
he is far seeing, eonsIderate, self-abnega-
tory. He could not afford to remain in the
National tread-mill. hence deliberately
turned away from an almost unanimous
constituency, and declared himself out Of
public life. 1t was grand determination,
and betokened Napoleonic will. 1t was
highly commendable. Knute Nelson may
be forgotten by the general public, but he
will always live in many minds as one Of
the truly great men of this country. He
who conQuereth himself is greater than he
who taketh a city" and Knute Nelson did
that great deed. He conquered himself.
He would not wait until time, disease, ad-
verse elements, political changes and per-
sonal animositieS drove him from his posi-
ton. Perceiving that it was untenable, he
surrendered it manfully and bravely.
There are few men so strong; and | shall
always speak Of him with commentator.
49,
He was sort of Alcalde, having plenary
power and discretion. Violators of common
law were brought before him, and his word
was never questioned when judgment was
pronounced Associate Justice Field, of
the United States Supreme Court, at one
time occupied similarly unique position in
California, and his revolver was occasional.
II brought into sight as a menace to law
breakers. Judge Moody fortunately never
had to exhibit that steely grim and danger
Gus scepter; but he was always brave
enough to do SO, and would have done SO
had occasion required; and they all knew
- Il 49,.
never for moment suppose that the mild,
suave. dignihed leader of the new State
had occupied such responsible and danger
Gus position, and filed it with courage as
well as ability. His voice IS soft and low.
in fact. musical. His demeanor that OF .
polished, scholarly gentleman, and his ap-
pearance bespeaks the presence of pros
porous well-to-do lawyer and statesman.
We will see and know much Of him, in
Washington, during the years to come.
*x#
Senator Allison, of Iowa, is man of re-
markable equipoise. He Is never ruff1ed,
always even-tempered, unfailingly court
eouS. After an acquaintance of about
dozen years, he has permitted me to see
that he can be annoyed. One day last week
he came into his committee-room with a
handful of letters, laid them on the table,
and looked around at the score of visitors
who awaited him without glimmer of that
smile of welcome which has hitherto been
spontaneous He walked about the room
from one to another, quickly disposing of
the business of each, then turned to his
private secretary, and said: Joseph, we
must have the room to ourselves and at
tend to this correspondence"
1t is safe to venture the assertion that
that is the first and only time in his public
hfe that William 3. Allison was in the
slightest degree lacking in cordiality to his
callers. 1t is equally safe to predict that
on no future occasion will he be found In
any measure perturbed. There was cause
back Of it, which none but himself will ever
fully know. 1t is presumed, however, that
he had that morning failed to secure an ap-
pointment for very dear friend; and
thereby is an illustration of the fact that
great man may love q friend better than
himself The distinguished Senator who
smiled serenely when his defeat was an
nounced last summer al Chicago, by the
nomination of General Harrison, was un-
able to contentedly endure defeat for
friend whose aspirations he had sought to
crafty. The appointment had been prom
ised to another, Mr.. Allison's friend was
disappointed, and the Senator was gloomy.
So
Colonel John Hicks, of the Oshkosh North
western, who was recently nominated and
confirmed Minister and Envoy to Peru,
SAYS: II am indebted to Senator Sawyer,
primarily, for this important appointment.
We have been neighbors and friends for
many years, and it has never been my good
fortune to have or hold an office. Last No
vember the Senator asked me whether !
wanted any thing or not, and when | told
him that | aspired to one of the best diplo-
matte positions under the Government, it
would not have surprised me if he had said
me nay. On the contrary, he merely replied,
very quietly: If we can get that place for
YOU John, it shall be yours, and that Is all
there was said about 1t, until shortly after
the inauguration of President Harrison,
when the Senator sent word that he wanted
me to come to Washington. He is rare
good friend, and true as steel
The lenten season ends with this week,
and society VIII whirl at once into an end
less round of gayety for the brief season
prior TO the annual exodus to sea and mount
ain. Tophet may have been hotter in mid
summer than Washington is, but there are
no records on file to prove it. Poor people
live through the summer here, but million
aires and newspaper men do not try to en-
dure the heat. They flee, as birds, to the
mountain or the ocean strand.
SMITH D. FRY.
England's DruiIkards and Paupers.
(Chcago TribuRe.l
Recently published official statistics show
that one out of every thirty of the popula-