The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-01-11

trivial faults are magnified into hideous
deformities of character Particularly
is this true in political contests, when IL
cense is assumed to abuse and vilify re-
CARELESS of right or reason. Happy the
man to whom 1t is permitted to enjoy the
rewards Of political eminence freed from
the calumnies of envy and jealousy But
the frequency of these attacks destroys
their force, and the groundlessness of po-
Htcal charges has become proverbial. The
superiority of man is indicated no less
surely by the character and motives of
his assailants than by the confidence and
respect of his friends.
He who ascends the mountain tops will
find
The loftiest peaks most wrapt in clouds
and snow;
He who surpasses or subdues mankind
Must look down on the hate of those
below"
seen one of our public men bear. day
after day, such calumniation as few men
are called upon to meet. You have seen
him assailed with all the vituperation and
vent. Who steals my purse steals trash,
but he that filches from me my good name
robs me OF that which not enriches him
and makes me poor indeed
Whether the charges are true or not
they are evidently made at this time to
llre your hearts with anger and to preju-
dice your minds against him. If true, our
public officials were public frauds, our
and delusion. Instead of walking our
streets, the wretch should have the lash
laid upon his back and be driven from
society as unfit for the association of his
IelIoW-men. But / cannot believe them to
be true. The time of the charges and
the men who make them lead me to mis-
trust their validity. The record is an un-
broken series of victories for the accused
Vlndlcatlng his honor and denying his
responsibility. Justice and humanity for
pld me TO condemn on suspicion until at
least one link in the long chain is broken.
His friends have not withdrawn from him
their confidence and his acts and conduct
do not indicate guilt. Calm and dignified
as II conscious of his own integrity and
power, you have seen him endure with
sublime patience the assaults of malice
ana look down in silence upon his assail-
ants as the mountain looks down upon the
storms which rage at its feet
:. Who Is this man? This history of his
life is the common story of a plucky
american Doy. He possesses by inner
ltance the sturdy qualities of the hardy
Hlghia419id l scotch from which he descend
South, and his versatile mind is charac-
terisuc OF her brilliant men. For fifty
years, from orphaned boyhood to vigorous
State, imbibtng its atmosphere of lib
erty and cherishing its name and peonie
In this fertile valley he titled the soil,
and acquired those habits of attention
and industry which form the basis of his
character.
When the tocsin of war was sounded
throughout the land he shouldered his
musket and FASTENED to his country's call.
And when million men laid down their
arms he returned to the land of his
adoption and resumed the peaceful pur-
suits of ordinary life.
Although an educated lawyer and a
skilled debater, it was in the active bust
ness world, the world OF men rather than
books, that his versatile talents showed
their powers. All the great Industries of
the State have received his studious at
tention. and a moderate fortune is the
reward of his perseverance and industry
Strong upright and generous. he has
drawn to himself hosts of friends whom
he holds as with hooks of steel Active
in the exercise Of his political rights. his
motto has always been keep near to the
people" Keen, alert, courageous, he has