Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1859-12-02
r,o~ the New American c,sIoprdi., Vol. L.
VIM, Pitt Fosseuden.

was graduated ~ BoWuoln IoHesc IN loNo'
studied law, was admitted 10 the bar in
1897, opened an ofioO in Britg,On, Cum
Lssland Co, Ne, aud 10 1899 removed TO
Portland. In 1881 no was elected 30 tho
State Legislature, and though the youngest
member, he rosa q, once TO distinction In
that body, both as dsbster and legislator.
In a debate on the U. S. bank the youthful
orator displayed remarkable spin, and abil-
ity. From 1889 to 1899 Mr.. fossanden de.
voted himself exclusively TO lie profession,
In which b, very soon ross to tho Ere. rank
10th as counsellor and sdvocats. In
1893 10 was solicited TO become caudi-
date for Congress, bu, declined. In 1889
no was again chosen 10 the legislature
FROM Portland. Tho House was largely
democratic. Mr.. Pcs,Ondsn was placed on
the Judiciary Committee, and though q
whig from she irs,, and always distinguish.
cd Tor Incorporating assertion Of bis
principles, Ls was made Chairman Of tho
House Committee TO revise the Statutes Of
the State. In 1870 he was nominated by
exclamation As the whls candidate Tor Con-
Grss. aud va, elected. ou,running the
strength OF his party. In Congress ho par.
,cipa,.d In the surr,n, debates, and mad.
speeches on IN, loan bill, tAnkrup, act, ar.
ny appropriation bill. Again,. the repeal
Of The baBkrup, law, and in reply TO Caleb
Cushing on Mr Ga personal position.
ITO vas nominated Tor reelection In 1913,
but declined, prci.rinE 20 return to The
practice Of BIZ. profession. McIn,ims be
received in the Legislature Of ,ha. year the
votes OF the vhig party for vacant .'a, in
che q. s. Senate In 1915 he was again
induced, by considora,ious growing sui Of
the position Of parties on tho temperance
question, 10 become candidate for tho
State Legislature, TO which be was c. been,
q, also in the succeeding year. when 10 de.
elip,l to serve further. while a member
in lsI5 hc again received the vote, Of The
wings Of the Legislature Tor seat IN tho
u. S. Senate. From 1875 TO 1852 hs was
IN private lie dcyo,ing himself to his pro-
i,~ion with constantly extending prae-
u-o and reputation.
During this period 10 was associated
will, Daniel Webster In an important case
before ihe Supreme Court at Washington,
Involving legal question never before dis.
Guessed in that Court, Wis, how Ear The
fraudulent acts Of on aue,ioncor ia selling
property should aasc. tho owner % the
property cold, he bs!ng no party 10 The
fraud. Mr.. Fs,.eudcn had 10 ctn,cnd
sg.in., the weight aud influence Of Judge
Siory's opinion and decision against bis
client in The Court tSlow. lie wss sue
e1ssiul and Judge SIory'' decision reversed.
Mr. Fs,ssnden' Srguusn, on tina, oceaNou
was remarkable for iis logical iorco and
legal seutsnes,, and won the hishc'. admit
ration from the most fAstidious lscs.
Once during tho period lin 1851 Mr. fss-
ss1isn was elected 10 Congress, bu, his
s'st was given TO his competitor ihfough
an error in the returns. Mr. Fssssnisn DO.
cI,neI 10 cenlsi. tho case before Cougrs.
rom IN unwilIibsness TO scrvsIn thA, body,
which no had deei'ivsly expressed ip al.
vance 20 the Conventions Of the whig and
lrsesoil parties, which, against his wishes.
had insisted upon nominating him. lie
was elected = member Of the Natioua. Con.
Yen,ion which nominated Gen. Harrison
Tor the Presidency in isiO was member
Of the Convention Of lsiS which nom mated
zen. Taylor. In which h, supported the
claims OF Mr. Webster and a mem gr Of
tho Convention Of 1852, which nominated
Con. Scott. lie was opposed to Mr.. Web.
'tcT on tho las. occasion, and advocated
Ten. Sco,,'s nomination, but was CO Of
tho 81 who opposed and voted Agains. the
platform at that time -, up by the whig
PARTY. In 1853 no was again returned as
member Of tho State Legislature from Port
land, ard was chosen by one branch (,hc
ssnAto) as o. s. Senator. The democrats
had a majority in the House. aud that
branch failed 10 concur in the election by
iyo,ss concurrent vote being requisite
too choice, no election Of Ssns,or WI. Of.
iee,cd 6, ,ha, season. The same hJus,,
though opposed to MIR Fessendsn in poli.
.ics, associated him wish tho Hon Ruol
Williams in negotiating tho purchase Of
th. large body Of Wild lands Of MassAchu-
seits lying in Ne. which was successfully
accomplished. In the succeeding year
1850 Mr. FossOnd.n was again membe,
Of the Legislature, which was democratic
in both branches. The Kansas-N.braska
question operation as disturbing element,
Mr. Fes.onden was now chosen Senator by
both 5ranehr, on the fret ballot by union
Of ih. wings and frsssoil dem, rats
Though he declined 10 be elected eIcc?, rs
arhig, this event may DO SAID TO have
been III. preliminary step toward establish.
log the republican party in Maine, Ito ne.
eessity Of which organization, after Ito ac-
ton OF tho main body Of thu Southern
wings on the Nebraska bill, Mr. fcs,sndOn
was one Of The sst TO proclaim and Advo.
cate. lie took bis seat in ,ho Senate, Feb.
%, 1854, and on the nigh. Of March fal.
lowing at which time the bill was passed,
delivered one Of the most electric and ciiec-
tive speeches made against il. THIS efor.
established his reputation a, once :" one Of
the sble't member, Of the Senate. Ofhi'