The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-30
WHAT A SUCCESSFUL LIFE?

out about the currency question.
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WHAT Is A SUCCESSFUL LIFE?
Some discussion has been going on as
to whether or not the life of Hon.
Thomas y. Reed has been successful In
one sense it has been eminently so. Mr.
Reed is regarded as one OF the brainiest
men and most adroit politicians of the
day. lie has not only the ability but the
courage TO discharge the duties of the
high office which he has occupied. and
while he has made enemies rather than
friends among the members Of Congress,
no one will dispute his executive ability
10 one will deny that his administration
has been able and brilliant.
Yet we would not select Mr.. Reed s
life as the type Of a successful living He
has been honest and he has had the
courage Of his convictions but we know
of DO great and good work that he has
done. He has certainly not made his fel-
lows the happier for his living. He has
preferred to say harsh and cutting
things to those with whom he has come
I'm contact rather than TO contribute to
the good cheer and happiness Of the
members Of Congress. and such man
cannot be himself quite happy. There
may be q certain kind Of satisfaction and
a low order of pleasure in cynlcism, but
there can be no true happiness in giving
pain.
We would rather select as a successful
life that Of Senator George f. Hoar. Mr..
Hoar has been before the public for many
years. indeed during the greater portion
Of his life covering q preiod Of nearly
fifty years lie has played q most CON
spicuous part in many great events. lie
has been intimately associated with pub
lie men from Daniel Webster even unto
public men Of the present DAY. lie has
been heard time and again on public
questions and his remarks always carry
force with them. Yet it is said that While
he is wise and subtle. and while he has
had marked success as a politician he
cares little for politicians or their ways,
and IS as innocent Of certain phases Of
politics as though he had spent his lie
en- his closet among the books which he
loves so lie has followed always MS
convictions and "it has never troubled
him to be in a minority. even in
minority Of one" Republican politicians
have fought shy Of this question Of i'm
perlalism and have been exceedingly
guarded in all their expressions, but
Senator Hoar studied the question upon
its merits. and having decided for him
self that expansion was wrong. he did not
hesitate to express himself plainly and
forcefully and, he intimated to his CON
stltuency that if they did not like his
course. all that they had TO do was, at
the proper time, to retire him from public
service.
Mr.. Hoar has never been a political
trimmer. lie has gone along in the way
that seemed to him 10 be right. lie has
done his duty as he understood st. and
he has left results to take care Of them
selves.
lie loves the fields and the woods;
therefore he loves nature and that which
Is natural: therefore he hates sham and
pretense. lie loves that which is sweet
and pure and clean; lie enjoysthe flowers
and the birds, he does not trample the
one under foot, nor does he shoot the
others for sport 1t was he who secured
legislation for the protection Of song birds
in Massachusetts,. lie loves good books |
and the society of good men and women. |
He is a brilliant c0nversati0nalist. we'll |
informed not only in the matter Of poll |
tics. but in literature. lie loves peace |
rather than turmoil he loves TO give |
pleasure rather than pain; he loves duty |
rather than ambition.
Il follows as a corollary. and so it is |
said Of him by l.. A. Coolidge. who has |
recently written a short biography Of |
Mr.. Hoar, that he IS one Of those who
grow old gracefully. and that he is often
heard alludlng in a half jestful way TO
his passing years.
There is successful life, according TO
our way Of thinking. a life that has been
not only pure and upright, but has been
gentle and kind and fun Of good works,
a life IN which the head and the heart
have both been cultivated. And the end
Of that life is peace.
Il