Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-19
SENATORS WHO ARE ALONE
Mills and Hill Conspicuous by Their In.
dependence.
The Attitude and Characteristics nj
the Two Senators Contracted
Two Kinds of Courage.


hundreds Of letters kilograms and news
paper clippings applauding the position he
has taken with relation to the compromise
amendments to the tariff bill. 1t is with
some pride that he reads Of himself refer
red to as the''oniy democrat in the Senate"
This characterization is not quite just to all
his associates in the Senate, but the COM
pliment conveyed Is one that appeals Pc
culiarly to his appreciation. There are a
good many other democrats in the Senate,
and they feel toward the compromise
amendments about as he does. but they
have either less courage or more discretion.
There were few who were disposed to be
as outspoken In their objection to the pro-
posed amendments as was the Texan, but
! these were Influenced to refrain by their
more cautious friends, or by the appeals of
their associates. who were In a comproms-
ing state Of mind. 1t is said that Voorhees,
is quite as pronounced in his opposition to
the amendments as is Mills, and that in
conference with his colleagues behind clos
ed doors he has discussed them in quite as
vigorous terms. He, as chairman of the
committee, was in position, however.
where his colleagues might have a right to
command his silence for party reasons. or
might overcome his inclinations by appeals.
Mills Well Suited.
Mills is placed in position which he can
ill with the greatest grace and I'm which his
temperament can find wide range. 1t is
doubtful whether the highest honors that
could be conferred upon him would bring
him as much qualification as he finds In
his present situation. 1t is not that he
loves to be dramatic or enjoys to stand
apart conspicuous. but he loves courage for
courage's own sake and would defy the
devil while being scorched. He is magnifi-
cent in a fight but policy. diplomacy. COM
promise are terms for which he has no use
Whatever any one may think OF his theo-
ries, none can deny. without disclosing
their entire ignorance of the character of
the man, that he ciings to consistency.
courage and honesty a woman to her
reputation. He takes no pride In weii-put
phrases such as most men in Congress de-
light in: he shows no ambition to attain a
reputation a great orator; and he does
not court popularity or ordinary fame. He
chiefly wants the world to know that he
has convictions. and that he has the hon
esty and courage that belong to them, and
the more prominent this fact appears the
more lofty his spirit and pride. IL others
do not agree with him or, agreeing with
him, dare not come ont and say SO, II IS
their own lookout. not his, and the fact Ct
being alone does not trouble him In the
least. If he has company. well and good !;
II not. he goes as valiantly alone on any err
rand Of chivalry.
He is about as much alone In the Senate
today as is HILL but their situations are as
different their dispositions. Mills knows
that while no one wears his coIors. there
are many who sympathize with his views,
and In their attitude they yield to him the
palm for courage, and a crown Of diamonds
could not please him more. II some resent
his unwillingness TO yield to their wisdom.
he knows that they can throw nothing In
the way of his ambition, since that is graf
flied in their very resentment
HiIPs Courage.
Hill. the other unattended knight, Is as
much as possible in contrast. Hilrs chief
sion under commonplace circumstances.
but they are brought out with peculiar
holiness ia this situation. He represents a
type of courage quite as distinct and strik-
Of the colder climate. He has shown in
dealing with his colleagues In the
Senate on this tariff question that
there is almost no limit to his courage
him courage Is not a thing Of which to
be proud or vain. but an instrument or
weapon to be used at need, and always to
be kept at command Diplomacy. policy.
politics are also his weapons. and they first
are put to use. When he lays them aside
IL is because they are not for the time
available. and his courage Is OF that cool.
deliberate subtitle. unobtrusive sort which
is discovered only In its deeds, and is a
surprise when discovered. He has shown no
recklessness in this fight. He began by
diplomacy TO try to ties CHI the democrats
policy as he understands IL. Then he tried
ny CRAFTY pOIllCs 70 capture kneul Wnen ne
had failed to convince them. Failing again.
he displayed q daring and audacity almost
unexampled in Congress. but he made no
parade of the matter His defiance was
only implied by his action. and his action
was only coldly Independent. He went his
way with the GOODNESS of a Quaker who
quits bad company. He told no one to go
to the bow-wows, but he acted IL. He has
treated his party with absolute indiffe--
ence, neither going out Of his way to dis
close his purposes, nor making any effort
TO keep them hid. The fact that he was
placing himself out Of the reach of ma
tional honors from the democratic party
did not seem to affect him at any time
and he now is working on alone in a per-
fectly calm and calculating way to kill the
tarin bill. regardless of whether the same
stroke kills the party or not.
While Mills has the courage to stand by
his principles at any risk. Hill has the
courage TO let principles go to the Old
Harry II Ii suits his purpose best to do So
nACE