The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-05-17

By JOE HUGH REESE.

not an advertisement. IL is Wrltten
without the knowledge or sugges-
ton of the subject and it isn't paid
for.
His near friends call him Sam.
His wife renders him full due and
addresses him as Samuel Johnson.
My association with him has
been of that intimate character
which gives me a better knowledge
of him than that possessed by those
who have been his neighbors for
twenty years.
| know that in seeking to become
the representative of this district in
Congress he is moved by the high
est motives which could possibly
cause any man to enter the arena
of politics. His law practice yields
him far more than a congresSmanS
salary, hence it is not the valuable
emoluments of office that move him.
His personal ambitions are not of
that dominant type which would
cause him to make the sacrifice he
is making-hence it is not self
seeking. He is of an intensely.
modest nature, hence it is not a
craving for notoriety that prods him
on. What else, then, can there be-
what star guides him? 1t is this:
To be of greater service to his dis
trict and his State; to render in his
day and time the best that is in
him; to give broader play to the
noble gifts which have been be-
slowed upon him.
| have come in contact with
many men of many minds, includ-
ing some of the Nations greatest.
No one have found without fault
| am no hero worshipper. Intoler-
ance and hypocrisy mark some of
the worlds historic figures. In re-
garding them we return to the
simple query, what is true great
ness; what is the real measure of
success?
After weighing these things
fame, the accumulation of wealth,
the achievement of position-we
must conclude that the most Wor-
thy among us is the man who does
with his might what his hands
find to do" who extends the help
ing hand to his weaker brother and
throws the mantle of charity over
his faults, who takes up the cudgels
of right against wrong whenever
occasion calls, who gives the best
in him for the advancement of his
immediate community and even
seeks afar to do good according to
his understanding and ability.
Sam Hilburn measures up to this
standard. He combines the finest
sensibilitieS with the bravest cour-
age. He has been in public life
since his early manhood and has
ever been faithful to the principles
of the highest benefit without cring-
ing to the behest of popular favor,
and all the time he has been a win
ner. He has never been defeated
for office, and the reason is found
in the fact that his people have
confidence in him. There are some
who don't like him-true. But
turn on the searchlight. In every
case | have found the foundation
of the opposition to rest in some
contest wherein Hilburn had fought
and fought hard for what he thought
was right. Be minded, | say for
what he THOUGHT was right. 1t
would be lavish praise forSooth to
say that he was always right.
What better test of a mans worth
can be found than the assay from
the crucible and retort of opinion
in ones own town? That is always
the most critical of any.
Hilburn is surrounded by host
of friends that should make any
mans heart pulSate with pride. At
the Law Exchange in Palatka he
has the affectionate regard of every
member of the bar. More loyal
friendship | have never been privi-
legged to observe. They are ardent
in his advocacy and instant in his
defense. | don't believe there is
one of them who would not fight for |
him.
Where find we the cause?
He advises without superiority |
counSels with kindness; reproves
without austerity; sympathizes with
out aloofnesS; defends without fear.
Iwish that all the people of the
Second District knew Hilburn as |
have come to know him. | trust
that time will bring them in closer
contact with him. | know they
will miss a great opportunity if they
do not give him the privilege-and
so he regards it-Of representing
them in Congress.
The Salvation Army post at Tampa
is beginning a campaign for the cree