The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-06-01
Hannibal Hamiin's coasressional
Record.

The nomination Of Senator Hamlrn for the
Vice Presidency BY the Chicago Convention
gives the nveliest sstisfsetion throughout the
entire Stats. His public record on the slavery
question Il complete In its consistency, and
such m one a. has secured 10 HIM an unlimited
degree Of public respect and condolences. Tho
Kennebec Journal presents In the following Ar
ticle summary Of his record 10 oil questions
relating to the extension and perpetuation Of
slavery. II Is one Of which public man may
well be proud.
In lS45, as member Of the House Of Repre-
sentstives, Hannibal Hamlin voted against the
Joint resolution TO amer Texas, notwithstand-
ing he had to oppose the popular decision OF
his party In doing 90.
moi Proriso, In order to keep our prospective
acquisitions from Mexico free from the faint
In isis. Hannibal Hamlin voted In the U. 8.
Senate for the slavery restrietion clause In the
bill for the organization Of the Territorial Gov
eminent Of Oregon.
In 1850, Hannibal Hamlin voted to insert q
similar rs,trietion In the bills organizing Utah
and New Mexico, and that measure falling, he
voted against the bills organizing those Terrific
ries without slavery prohibition, and In 90 do
ing he obeyed the explicit instructions Of the
Democratic Legislature 81 Maine.
In 1880, also, Hannibal Hamlin's voice was
the frat raised In the United States Senate for
the unqualified, unconditional admission OF CAL
ifornia As o free State. aud his speech on this
question was one Of the ablest delivered during
that session Of Congress.
In 1850, likewise, Hannibal Hamlin voted
aoain,t that bill Of denominations, the Fagitirs
In 1880, Hannibal Hamlin voted against the
bill giving ten millions Of dollars to Texas for
territory that never belonged to her.
In 1854, Hannibal Iamlin voted against that
wicked measure, the repeal OF the Missouri
He entered public life a. Democrat, and
continued to act In strict fidelity to the party
40 long as II continued To declare, even on pa
per, its opposition to the extension OF slavery
into the free Territories. Beyond this he could
not go; and In 1888, when his party IN Nation o.,
nj Convention laid down principles which he be-
leyed inimical to freedom, he rose In his place
In the Senate, and asked to be excused from
longer service as chairman Of tho Committee on
Commerce. lie said for the nine years he had
held seat In the Senate, he had almost been
silent member upon the subject that had 30
much agitated the country. He had rarely ut
tered O word. He loved his country more than
he loved any party. more than any thing that
could agitate and disturb It's harmony. Altho'
he believed the repeal of the Missouri COmpro-
mise great moral and political wrong. une-
qualled In the legislation Of the country, still,
with desire to promote harmony, concord and
brotherly feeling, he sat quiet. amid oil the dc.
bate which led to that fatal result, and opposed
II not by his voice. but BY steady and uniform
vote, not only In accordance with his own con-
victions, but In accordance with the instruct
ions of his Legislature, passed by almost an
unanimous vote. But the thing was done In
violation Of the principles Of that party with
whom he had always acted, and In violation OF
the solemn pledges Of the President Of the U.
States in his inaugural address. Since, howey-
err, thx wrong had been sanctioned by the Gin:
cinnati Convention In its contamination and
It's results, he felt II to be his duty to declare
that he could no longer maintain party associa-
tions with any party that insisted upon such
doctrines, and could support no man for Presi-
dent who ayowed and recognized those doc.
trines; and with whatever power God had en-
dowed him, Il should be used In the coming
contest In opposition to that party.