The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-06-06

While sensible people despise the notion that
the mere lack Of early advantages OF education
and culture is praise aud a recommendation, 1t
is nevertheless true that the popular notion which
prefers those who have struggled up to useful
ness and distinction by unaided efforts, has
sound foundation. All the care and education
which can be afforded to a man Of mean talent
and Of low impulses and proclivities, will be sure
to leave him the same as they found him, event.
ually, while noble and gifted nature will lift it.
self up by its own strength.
Hardly ever has a case been presented, in
which honor has been done to self-made men, in
a more marked manner than in the selection of
Lincoln and Hamlin upon the Republican ticket.
Il is needless here, inasmuch as the matter is al
ready familiar, to recount the early career Of Lin
coin. The world knows that he was poor boy,
that he worked by the month at splitting rails and
other heavy farm work, for which his size and
strength made him fit, and that he was tumbled
about the world as a fat-boatman, q surveyor,
and fighter Of Indians, all the world knows that
he did all these things, and that he did them all
well. Billy Gray, the ancient Boston millionaire,
was snubbed upon one occasion by being told
that he was once drummer. "Aye," was the
reply, "but the best of it was that drummed
we'll" There isthe secret Of success, and what is
more important, the secret also OF ability and
character, which, being developed, make their
owner as much at home at the head of the Gov
eminent, a. in command of flat-boat, or Of a
company Of bush-6ghting soldiers.
1t is not that Lincoln has fought Indians, or
run section lines, or split rails, that he is fit for
President, but because he has ability which
prompted him to do something better and more
useful than these things, the moment he found
them to do.
Hannibal Hamlin is much the same sort Of
man. He, too, has made himself. He was bred
a mechanic, and followed the business until his
brain urged him to do something else, in which
he could more fully occupy his mind. He is and
probably always was thoughtful. judicious, prone
to action rather than to talk-to silence and re-
Election more than to display. He is self.poised,
working always on his own centre, asking little
advice, and volunteering none. In short, to sum
up his qualities, he is sereliant, which Of itself
almost makes man, and without which a man
cannot be made. Hamlin takes no pains to be
urbanc. He is naturally kind and sufficiently
courteous, never obtrusive. He never commits
an impsrtinence, and is not fond of being made
the subject of impertinence. The writer of this
article was in Washington when Hanln was in
Congress, years ago, and acted with the Loco
foco party. In his political career with that
party, there was nothing conventional. He did
not feel obliged to vote against rivers and har,
bors, because Northern Presidents with South.
ern principles vetoed them, nor yet because
Southern politicians, jealous of the growth Of
the Northwest, called them cunning constitution.
al violations Hamlin singled out such as had
merit, and voted for them. 1t CHANGED that one
Of these bills contained an appropriation for Bos.
ton harbor, in which, of course, Hon. Robert c.
Winthrop felt great interest. Hamlin thought
the appropriations either needless or too large,
and passed between the tellers with its enemies,
upon some preliminary question. Winthrop,
with that air Of serene majesty-that "austsre
regard of control" which like Malvolio, certain
Boston families know how to put on-shaking q
mOnitory finger at Hamlin, Kissed in his ear, do
that again, sir, and win put you in the news
papers," Hamlin gave him one black look, and
reared out, "Speak to me that way again, and
I'll boot you down stairs" The affront was gra-
tuitous, and the next day Winthrop apologized.
Hamlin, though reticent, is not either cold or
naughty. In his hours Of relaxation, he loves a
good story, and occasionally tells good one. He
dresses plainly, lives temperately, and in the U.
s. Senate, preserves in strictness the simplicity
Of life which marked his earlier and humber
years. He is not rich, but comfortably off in the
world, with enough for his moderate style of liv.
ing. Hamlin is one Of that class of men who
have far more ability than they have reputation
for, and for that reason, it is strange that he
ceived the nomination.
As public speaker, Hamln is clear, perspicu-
Gus, systematic and strong, but without orator.
cal display. His integrity of character, public
and private, is unsulied, and his moral character
without the first blemish. While Hamlin is really
q true representative Of the people, he has not
the first trait of demagoeue. On the contrary,
he is quite likely to let fly disagreeabe truths, to
popular audiences, whenever he thinks the mas
ses wrong. He is not sensitive man, either to
praise or blame, and if his judgment assures him
that he is right, it makes no difference to him If
all the world upbraid. He can neither be coaxed
or inundated.
He viii preside in the Senate without parade,
with perfect fairness to all men of al parties and
sections, without fear and without favor. Ham
lin Is, in short, Democrat, in the unprecedented
sense, and when elected, As he surely viii be, is
sure to be useful able servant, and not an AFRO
CANT master.
LINCOLN AxD HAxLM Al NAsox.-The coun-
ty.seat Republicans have erected fine pole,
which spreads the banner Of LINCOLN and HAM
LIN to the gale, and almost every store and work.
shop bear the same noble flag. Mr.. John S.
Griffin, landlord of the % Eureka" Democrat Of
t~enty-eight years standing, has raised the Re.
publican flag, and come out in q strong letter in
the Ne~s, denouncing LOcofocoism and all its
works.
Who SHALL TELL!-Reverdy johnson, ad.