The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-05
EXIT DAVID II. HILL.

/
1t is quite likely that the statements
which are now current as to the with
drawal of David b Hill from the public
life of the country are well founded 1t
! IS some years since ex-senator Hill
| found aught in political experience TO in
duce him to devote his energies to the
Pursuit of public honors. Yet he has
/ been governor of his state, and has rep
resented that great state on the floor
Ct the federal senate. He has been a
candidate for the presidential nominal
ton of his party, but has not succeeded
! as well as he might have succeeded I'M
der more favorable conditions than
those which attended his successive ap-
rearances in that character. But SO
far as men of large abilities usually
meet with success and approval from
their countrymen, David B. Hill has or
ought to have, really little to complain
of in this regard
Mr. Hill finds himself confronted, as
ne advances in life, with conditions SIM
rar to those which present themselves
to the view of all conscientious Ameri-
can public men. He is an able lawyer
and an astute man. He is learned IL
political history and science, and has
shown his fitness for the highest posts in
the service of state or nation. He has
had to submit to the reverses which
are attendant upon political career,
especially when the person experiencing
them belongs to the minority party. He
has given freely of his time and talents
for the promotion of those principles HI
economic science and public policy gen
orally with which he has chosen to iden-
tify himself; and he. finds himself, after
giving the best days of his life to the
pursuit of the welfare Of country and
party, obliged virtually to begin his life
work over again. He has allowed his
law practice to dwindle or wholly disap-
pear. He has sacrificed his personal
fortunes to the public welfare Or what
he thought to be the public welfare.
He has submitted to criticism and abuse
and even denunciation in the conscious
ness that he was discharging the highest
duties that can be assumed by the free
American citizen. The whole thing just
appears to him more and more like an
empty illusion as he advances toward the
grave; and he is simply disposed to cry
quits.
Perhaps Senator Hill ought to have
made his pile while he was engaged in
politics or office-holding. Others have
done it; and it is known that they suffer-
ed thereby in the public estimation. He
did not, however; and now has to take
the consequence He is declared to be
about to do what men as able and as con-
seientious as he have been compelled to
do in his generation. He follows the
example of Roscoe Conkling, Thomas B.
Reed, John D. Carlisle and Benjamin
Harrison. There are others that might
be named, but these will suffice.
The rewards which are open to able
lawyers are not to be found in public
station. The politician, however brainy
he may be, who is for the time set aside,
the victim of public Indifference or pass
ing hostility, has always had it borne
in upon him that he has gained little
in return for his sacrifices, and that had
he followed the bent of his private In
terests and fortunes he would have much
to show. that he has not had, and is not
likely to have while pursuing the course
of public affairs.
David B. Hill has been somewhat
picturesque character in American public
life, he has not shown the courage or
address of less able men in the crises
in his public career that have confront
ed him. He has, perhaps, let st dare
not" wait a little too long upon IL
would" But, as rule he has been true
to his friends even in far greater degree
than he has been true to himself. If he
has disappeared from political life well
and good. His example will no doubt be
followed by others like him who see the
vanity of all other earthly-things save a
| generous bank account, kept IN bank
that is not liable in any contingency 20
| go to smash