The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-30
Frora fhs IctroiJ Tribune
UNITED STATES SENATOR.

The question of Gov Biugham's successor in
the United States Senate Is already beginning to
excite very general discussion : and the suijecl
bids tair Increase i iDte;e-, until it shall have
been finally setlied by the ac,Ion of the Legis.a.
tUre upon it, or by the Governor, should he de-
eide not 10 call al extra session. lt seems 20 be
taken for granted, however, that he will convene
the l., -i-.a,Uge. This ID was understood Be had
resolved To do before The death Of Gov. Bmg
ham created vlcaccy IN the Senate Whether
he shall cali II al sufficiently early period 10
FL. the vacancy Ia tine for the uew Senator 10
take his seal al OF hear the commcIcemett OF
the session oi Congress, or shall make tempo
Hly 40, ointment and convene tie Legislature
al later period the duty viii ultimately devolye
u..ou i:5t body oi elecuug successor 10 GOV.
Bingham. Ia view o: this fact, We hear that Il
Is gc number OF candidates Tor the vacancy are
already ia the icld-or perhaps il would be less
offensive, and in regard TO some OF them, E.ore
strictly correct, tu say that We have heard the
name, Of large IduOeT ot candidates sugges
ted Tor the place-not less than eight Ii l.
clear therefore, that whether these gentlemen
are candidates by their own yohtIOn, oT have
been made 80 by their friends, there is TO be i
warm struggle for the succession. The prize l.
one worthy any mars ambition who f. els that he
Is worthy OF it; and perhaps we ought not 10
eXp,c; IN times ike these, hen every patriot j.
anxious o serve liz country IN some capacity,
that there VIII not be j sroug al d even violent
personal effort on the par, of some OF the aspi
rants to carry it OFF But there i one thing
that We beg members OF the Legislature TO bear
in mu1 aud mat Is that the qualifications of the
candidate, and the ability, energy and fidelity
~ith which lie will discharge the duties Of Seul.
tor, cannot be judged Toy the ability, energy and
fidelity with which he may push bis preIeuslou-
ior the position.
The office ot L. :. Senator is one of the very
highest dgity under our Government, second
only in that regard and in responsibility to that
oi the Presidency itself. Ii ought 10 be tie
maxim IN regard TO it, DO less than that OF the
President or Judge OF the United States Su-
pa eme Court, that the Office should seek the
man, and not the man the office. But custom
has sanctioned general scramble for thls as iol
all other Cfces and We must look for II IN the
future have IN the past. True and con
SciOus worth, however, Will be modest ana re-
Spectiul in presenting its claims ANA 1t viii,
therefore, become the duty OF the peoples rep
resentatves To see that the interests OF the state
are not permitted 10 suffer by the delicate for
beaTance OF the really mertorious on the one
side, and by bold presumption vi the mere par
ti,an OF the other.
There never was a time in the history OF Oui
Government when We SO much required the
highest order OF talent, large experience, exten
sive requirements, and real integrity OF charac
tel In the National Congress. Ii the member:
of the Legislature are true to the nation, To tht
State, and To themselves their first, and sole ob
ject will be 10 search out the very best man il
the State tor the place, regardless OF persona
impOrtunlties, locality, or any other consdera
tion. If we have in all Michigan a man OF char
acter, learning, ability and general qualification.
fitted tor the position, we hope 10 see him elec
ted. Upon the result OF the choice trey may
make VIII depend in a great measure the weigh
Michigan viii have in Congress, and indeed IL
the nation. There is expressed on all hands, a
earnest desire that the Legislature will rise abov,
all peIs NAL Considerations AID Ia the diScharg,
oi this responsible trust, act with sole reference
10 the honor of the State, and the good OF th,
. country. The people expect tais OF them, an,
/ they viii not hold then. guitle>s ii they forge
these high con-i ieraticns. aud Ell Gov. Bingham
! recent seat with mere politician, with 10 othe
claim than lots of Others who have only djsiiu
/ .uj<hed themselves 10y figuring III State ccuvcn
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