The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-18
NO. 346.

for the nomination Of candidates for the two
highest places in the gift of the People. Mr..
Hale was chosen, with rare unanimity, as their
Presidential standard bearer On the 10th
of August, lS4s, the National Convention, Of
what started az the Free Soil party, was
assembled at Buffalo At it large proportion
of the lenders and the rank and file of the
Liberty party appeared as delegates A letter
from ex-Presdent Van Buren, was presented by
his special friends, who united in the Conyen-
ton, known as Barnburners,' y in which he
proclaimed himself to be fast friend Of the
Anti-Slayery Ordinance of 1887, and of the re-
pI oduction Of its cardinal principle in the
Wilmot Proviso, and also signifying bis readi
ness to yield to the opportunities of said friends
IN the acceptance Of any post they might see
fit to assign to him. in their purpose 10 apply
that principle to the adminstrational machine
ry Of the Government. In view of bis com
handing position and anticipated associated
strength, and fascinated by his avowal of coin
cdeut opinions, the confidential friends of Mr.
Hale, representing the other distinctive section
of the Convention, apd at the same time 20
authorized by him, withdrew his name from
the Presidential contest, and united with their
new allies in presenting, instead thereof, the
name Of Martin Van Buren,, as the candidate
Of the united forces
Mr.. Hale, to all appearances, was now with
out the field of Presidential aspirants, if indeed
1t we're just to say, in anything but a conven-
tional sense of the phrase that he ever came
into that category all-and we feel authorized
to say that he really did not desire the position
honorable and gratifying as he regarded it as
mark of apprecative regard on the part of
the bestowers. But the political iates ordained
otherwise. At a Convention Of the Free Soil
party, which assembled at Pittsburgh on the
18th day Of August 1852, he was unanimously
chosen a candidate for the Presidency, notwith-
standing and in direct disregard of positive
declination by letter. He was now actively in
the canvass as the standard bearer of the par
ty, which had meanwhile assumed the title of
the "Free Democracy" and as such he "took
the stump" as the phrase runs, and made an
extended tour through the Northwest, address
ing numerous meetings whose enthusiasm was
such as it would have been within the power
of few orators to produce. His receptions by
| the teeming population of the prosperous
West presented, not unfre9uently, the appear
ance Of triumphal march, 20 lightweight
was an expectation that ran little risk of dis
appointment, for reasons which traits, present
ly to be alluded TO- will make apparent The
result of the canvass whether measured by
the mere number of votes he received, or by
other standards, is matter of too recent tran
spration to need a record in this sketch, were
it compatible Herewith.
Although the farthest from all special con-
Germ about the sectarian predictions of other
men, MIR Hale has his own preference as a re-
igionist His parents were of the Congrega-
tonalist stock He himself however early in
life, was attracted to the services of the Unita-
sion 1hurch Of Dnvar spbso0uapt IN fba
toral care of Rev John Parkman. Under the
doctrinal teachings and spiritual ministrations
Of this religious society he finally became
member of the church, and has remained such
to the present hour From tho lessons of duty
thus incucated, there sprang an appreciation
of the principles Of the Temperance movement,
which has controlled him, ever since 1893 to a
degree Of habtual abstemiousness, which, while
it might rot entite him at ell times to the tech.
nical classification Of o teetOtaller, has caused
him to contrast very strikingy in this regard,
with the great majority Of those who have
been associated with him amid the specially
tempting and unquestonably perilous circum-
| stances of Captolian life On this point there
has been degree Of curious interest expressed
| by the less intimate friends and political adhe-
rents of Mr. Hale, all tho more excited by the
too usual misrepresentation of opposing press
es and orators during the recent Presidential
canvass, a motive to satisfy which, with the
reliable facts of the case, has controlled US in
this passing allusion to personal habits, which
otherwise would not have come within our
| range.
A few words touching the personal peculiar
tiles and traits of Mr.. Hale. As the accom-
panying chronological description would lead
the reader to anticipate, he IL rather above the
medium size, anatomically measured His
height is about FIVE feet ten inches; he inclines
to corpulency--a tendency well calculated I'M
der the ceteris paribu rule of equalized condi-
tons TO bring out and babitualze the genial
play Of those social qualities for which he is
no pleasantly remembered by all who have
come into association with him
Asa public speaker, he is ever prompt Gu
ergetic, and direct He speaks with much less
preparation than the generality Of public men.
His mind is one Of the class which the word
available aptly covers. He is never apro-
found,n in the popular sense Of the word, but
he is eminently practical as we'll rs forcible,
showing natural method amid sort Of non
ehdionee, which would be exceedingly hazard
Gus in most of speakers, and seems 30 in him. in
spite Of ones previous observation of q very
different result. His command Of illustrative
facts is wonderful, coming as an important
sustanment Of that indispensable gift in On
orator-the oratorical gift of gifts--sclf posses
sion. They pour themselves forth, for hours
in an undiminished stream. In sentiment,
which 10, apparently never INDUCED for nero
effect, he is suggestive rather than exhaustive
hence never wearisome 10 comprehensive minds.
He says what he has to say a. you would
give your friends the incidents Of an adventure
which had particularly interested you without
pause, without reserve with frankness beam
ing from an eye flashing light and counte-
nance the very perfection Of earnestness. He
is frequently witty, but he is oftener mirthful
The fun which he "pokes" at bis opponents
in the Legislative forum and ON the stump, is
not dished up on purpose. 1t comes like the
fragrant 0dor from the flower. as q matter of
course, and oil the more freely if you trample
up his feelings as with the scented shrub In
his pleasanter and less taxed moods it begins
and con tinues drollery. When aroused by an
tagonsm of debate, it becomes sarcasm, which
partakes of the pungent, rather than the sea-
thing, and is ali the more severe, because re-
turned or parted with more difficulty by his
antagonist and affording no apparent justif-
cation for that i'll naturcd retaliation into which
he himself is never betrayed. With clear,
fixed perception Of first principles, he at the
Of any given subject, and applies them. Hence
he is seldom taken of his guard, or thrown
into such furry Of excitement az would, in
many other debaters, drive to wrathful railing
and ncoherent invective With all these char
acteristics, which are natural elements Of his
mental nature, no could not be otherwise than
magnetically attractive, which is but another
word for pathetic, in the mental sense Of the
term. The writer of this has had opportuni-
ties 10 hear Mr.. Hale under great variety Of
oratoricsl circumstances, and an illustration
may DO given by passing statement Of the
effect Of his speeches in the Senate upon South
erncrs-gentlemen of class who, viewing
him at distance through the obscuriug me-