, 1861-03-11

A new Senate of the United states-that
which forms part Of the XXXVIIth Congress
convened II the Capitol yesterday, under the
Presidency Of Hannibal Ham1in, our new Re-!
publican Viee-President. Mr. Hamlin is anatiyc
aud lifelong resident Of Maine So years old and
has filled nearly every important trust within
the gift Of his fellow: citizens. After having
served with honor to the Legislature we be.
Geye in each House-he was elected, about
1916, to the Federal House, whence he was
Transferred, after four years. acceptable service
to the Senate, whereof he has been member
for the last ten years, save the single session
of 1867, when lie had resigned to serve rs
Governor. Ho Wa5sa Democrat, but an origi-
nal and consistent Supporter Of the policy Of
Slavery Restriction, in which the Republican
movement is grounded, and in 1865, after the
formal condemnatloneof that policy By the
Denocratic National Convention at Cincinna-
ii, he renounccd his old party, resigned his
post as chnirman Of the Committee Of Com
lnerce, and appealed to the People Of Maine,
by whom he Was Immediately chosen Govern
to my candidate for that cfIice. He was re-
elected to the Senate the next Winter, and
served uatil the opening Of the present Session
when he resigned BECAUSE Of his election to
the Vice-Presidency. Mr. Ham1n is q gentle
man Of unassuming manners, but with 1 coun-
tenance and bearing Indicative Of solid sense
and sterling honesty--an appearance which
his character fully justihes. Though not an
orator, he is one Of the most effective atiyo-
Gates Of Republican principles before the peo-
Lot NJ Morrill,, who has replaced Mr. Ham
lin in the Senate, yas also of the Democratic
school in politics, and has been In sympathy
with Mr., Hamlin throughout. We believe he
has not before been in Congress, but he las
repeatedly been chosen Governor Of Maine
By the Republicans.
'Irt Harris replaces Gov. Seward as Senator
frSft Nfaffk "a n1rtrS ay1rf I11ya
native Of the State, born in Cortland county,
but for nearly all Lis adult Life u resident OF
Albany, where he was an eminent lawyer, and
was repeatedly chosen to the Legislature froul
Albany county. In 1876 he was Il member OF
the Constitutional Convention, which framed
our present State Constitution, III which he
bore i distinguished and honorable part. He
WIS proposed for Governor in the Whig Con-
ycntion Of that year, but John Young was ul=
tinlateiy nominated. He was soon after elect
ed to the Supreme Court of our State from the
Third Judicial District, and served eight years
the Court Of Appeals. He was beaten as !
candidate for reelection in 1859, the Anti
Renters, VINO had formerly supported him,
having turned ngainst bin because Of o dcci-
sion lie had given In an ejectment suit. Judge
Harris is in the ripe fu]lness of his energy and
yigor, and will prove valuable acquisition TO
the Senate.
Edgar Cowan, the new Senator from Penn
sylvania, is about 4G years old, and has never
till now held any political office, having been
born and always lived in the strongly Demo
critic county Of Westmoreland, while he was
is lawyer by profession, but rather scholar
in his tastes, Of q retiring disposition, but Of
eminent ability and moral worth.
Henry 8. Lane ia the new Senator from In
diana He is 4 native, VIC believe, Of Kentucky,
about 50 years old. He first appeared in Con
Ta hfnl- s,@7 7r1,r ff,aA A7ftr unfJ Ja.
teRigencc1' remarked the presence as Members
OF the House Of three youug men Of nncon'-
mon brilliancy and taIent-Ogden Hoffman Of
New York, Richard Il. bfenefee Of Kentuc6y,
aud Henry 8. Lane Of Indiana Mcnefee died
Young; Col, Lane is now the sole survivor OF
Congress, resigning to devote himself to the
requirement OF competence by the practice
of Law. Haying achieved this el;d, he now
returns to public life. He was President Of
the Republican National Convention that nom
mated Col Fremont, and bore leading part
followed. In 1853, he was chosen 6. s.
Senator to replace Judge Bright, who was se.v-
ing under pretended election in 1857. The
Senate, by partisan vote, refused to give Col.
Lane the seat, though his title to it was clear.
Col Lane appeared atthe Chicago Conven-
was reEy influential in procuring the nomlna- T
ton Of Mr. Lincoln. He canvassed the State
as candidate for Governor, and was elected
in October oveE Thomas A. Hendricks {Den1Q
by s nea11y sa 1oD majority, op tlie largest vote
assembling Of the Legislature, he was chosen.
to the .: ). senate for six years ensuing in
place Of Dr.. G. N. Fitch, whose term under
the pretended election Of 1857 expired with
the late Congress. Col. Lane resigned the
Governorehip to accept this post, considering
himself Tequired to do SO by his election to
the Senate two FearR ftFsf3tn He ia nnfpnr.