dervalue the great honor of representing Massachusetts
in the Senate of the United States. But I had an infinite
longing for my home and my profession and my library. I never
found public employment pleasant or congenial. But the fates
sent me to the Senate and have kept me there until I am now
the man longest in continuous legislative service in this
country, and have served in the United States Senate longer
than any other man who ever represented Massachusetts.

The last three times I have been elected to the Senate I
have had, I believe, every Republican vote of the Legislature,
and I was assured--of course I cannot speak with much confidence
of such a matter--that I could have all the Democratic votes,
if necessary. I state these things with a feeling of natural
pride. But I do not attribute it to any special merit of
mine. It has been the custom of Massachusetts to continue
her Senators in public life so long as they were willing,
and were in general accord with the political opinion of the
majority of the people.

I have, however, owed very much indeed to the moderation
and kindness of the eminent gentlemen who might have been
most formidable competitors, if they had thought fit. Just
before the election of 1883, when all the discontented elements
were seeking a candidate, General Francis A. Walker, one
of the ablest men ever born on the soil so productive of good
and able men, was proposed as my competitor. He would have
had a great support. I think he would have liked the service,
for which he was so eminently fitted. He had been my pupil,
and had gone from my office to the War. He came out promptly
in a letter in which he declared that in his judgment Mr.
Hoar was the fittest person in the Commonwealth for the office
of Senator. Governor Long was my Republican competitor in
1883. But on two or three occasions since, when he was proposed
in many quarters for the office of Senator, he promptly refused
to have his name submitted to the Legislature, and declared
himself for me. He is a man of brilliant ability, and a great
favorite with the people of the Commonwealth. General William
F. Draper, lately Ambassador to Italy, a most distinguished
soldier, a business man of great sagacity and success, having
inherited from his father a right to the regard of the people--
a regard which has been extended not only to him, but also
to his very able and excellent brothers--more than once when
there has