Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-02-19
Senator Fessenden.

senator rcsseHueH.
A high legislative body, like the Senate
Of the United States, is the place above all
Others in the world TO test che Intellectual
strength OF its members. Men pass here
Tor wha, they really are. II is in this branch
Of the government that the several states
are specially represented. Hence, as gen.
eral rule, they select their ahlcst men for
the high position. Senator. are hero sur
rounded by giant iuielleci', and in particle
patinc in the business u tina, body, they
necessarily como in contact with them.
Among the men who stand a, The head
Of tho li,,, may justly be rcckonci senator
Frss,ndcu, Of our own State. We know
something personally about this matter. In
the last Congress We frequently bad the
pleasure Of listening To Senatorial debates.
Aud then, again, We were in the Way to
know something Of tho opinions entertained
Of different Scnhtors. by public men in
Washington, and we know what We say,
when We assert, that Mr.. Fcssenden was
there clas.cd among the very ablesi men in
tho senate. Wc heard his great speech
during the last session, when IN an ~ hand
encounter be triumphautly iloorcd Douglas
and some half dozen Of the strongest men
in the opposition.
In the present Congress, Senator Fcs'cn'
den has gained new laurel'. In u recent
rcucountcr with that notorious fire eater,
JrT Davis, be marched square up % the
line. and in - bold. defiant tone and man
ncr. drove his autagonis, to the wall. II
wssa rich scene. \ correspondent Of the
New York Evening Poet SAYS.
The interest felt in the proceedings in
the House yesterday did not prevent people
from crpwdng the galleries u the senate,
o. listen o. the speech OF Mr.. Frssanirn OF
Maine. who summed up tho cn-' Tor the OPP
position. on the reference OF the message.
H. accused the President Ul asserting ia The
message what b. must have known was not
true. aud held him and those who supported
the rcpcll oi the Missouri Comprumisc re-
,punsihlc Tor the prcscnt difficulties. lie
sustained the doctrine that slavery should
never again b. extended over IRE slil The
argument was compact and logical. aud
was delivered with the characteristic ioro'
and energy ui The Senator. The debate AZ
IL. close between him aud Mr, Diyi. Of Mis-
si.sippi was spirited, and the most exciting
which has occurred this session. Mr.. DAVIS
ra,tci the President on the back for having
done his bidding - we'll, aud then attempt
cd O. crack The whip oycr Fcsseudcn, who
resented IL in proper terms. Mr.. Fcsson.
dcn'6 speech vasa most powerful and tel
linz Effort, both ~ cncountcTlng senators.
several Of whom intimatcd purpose Of re-
plying when the question comes again be.
fore the senate.
In debate q few day. since, Mr. Fc-.en-
den came in contact with Toomh, u Gcor.
cia. the ablcst Southern senator In that
body. and completely used him up. \ cor.
respondent o! the New York Times sIys Of
,hi, affair
Mr. F,s.rnl,n's speech in ~ Senat'
70 day, Ms universally conceded 20 b. q
most powerful argument. although Mr..
Benjamin thinks he can con,roycri aud over.
throw ~. H. will find be has u iocman
worthy Of his steel, an an intellectual con.
test On his hands that will rrpuirc all his
Acknowledged power and kill 10 conduct To-
successful issue. Mr.. Fcsscnden achieved a
complete victory In the debate over Mr.
Toomb- the ablcsi Sputhcrn leader in the
body. The lattcr claimed that the Kansas
Nebraska bin contained no " enabling act. ~
and that the President was wrong in ass,rt-
ing the contrary doctrine. Mr. I inquired
where. then. the people of Kansas got the
power Ia frame Constitution aud State
Government? Mr.. Toombs replied, " from
the Territorial legislature. Mr.. ftsscn.
den then inquired where the Legislature got
the power. IT not from the organic net
The silcnced the gentleman from Georgia,
who attempted no answer , and Mr. 7. toll
lowed up his advantage by asking Mr..
ToDmbs whether. according II his own con-
cossion, the Topeka Constitution had not
just as much legality Us the lecompton Con-
stitution-wheiher they DO not stand before
Congress on precisely the same footing!
Mr.. IoOm5s gave up the battle. turning
uneaslly in his seat, but making no reply.
Mr.. fcsscnden, as profound, well read,
Accomplished lawyer, has not n superior,
and we mueh doubt IL he has an equal in
the Senate, and be is 80 ranked by his peers
in that body. Ills speeches are always lie
tened 10 with attention, not only by the
Republicans, but by the opposition. One
great secret Of his success rs an or hand de-
bate. is found in the fact, that be always
thoroughly understands bis subjects, lie
studiously. and carefully investigates every
thing in advance. Another element Of
strength and power, which Mr.. Fessendcn
possesses, is the apparent sincerity and hon.
csty with which he presents every subject,
upon which he speaks. It carries with 1t n
conviction that is hard to be resisted. Ii
commands the attention and then oonyinccs
the Judgment OF the heArer.
Another thing, Mr.. fessendcn always
keeps cool, even in whirlwind OF excite
mcnt. This gives him immense power and
advantage over his adversary, especially
when angry and excited. But We have no
time to pursue this subject further. Scna-
tor Fessenden is an honor to the State he in
part go ably and faithfully represents. With
two such men as William p. fessenden and
Hannibal lIamlin in the U. 5. Senate from
Maine, her citizens have nothing to fear.
Their dearest and best interests will always
be looked after and gainsaid with yigi-
lance that neser slumbcrs and an eye that