The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-12-23
COMMUNICATED.

duties OF the hish pOsltioh i"' ,L... "a,
named ON the score OF fitness, then, there can
be little choice. Unquestionably both desire an
election but this is a consideration which can
enJ nuvb, only 10 influence (if anybody the
psr,ongl friends of the gentlemen-in Th,ch
category I have not the honor to be included.
You, as editor of public Journal ; the mem
bers OF both houses OF 'he LcSs,a.e, WIN
whom. AS representatives OF the whoiepeopleand
no, clients Of any man, however distin suished,
The anal decision rests +; and |, as single unit
az that nublic multitude, whom both you and
the legislators. in your different spheres, repre-,
sent 1--WE all ought TO have no interest in this
contest except as il concerns the general veal
and The success OF that party with which we be-
leve the national integrity to be identified.
Looking at il, then. Ms a public matter, Who'll
ly regardless Of personal wishes or preferences
OF or for either candidate, il is evidently for
the advantage Of the Union party. and conse-
quently OF the country, to have Mr.. Hamlin re-
turned To the Senate and this for the reasons
% forcibly stated in your editorial, viz because
Mr.. +. is now In place where the general con-
fdence felt In his abilities and conservatism rem
ders him n national benefactor, and to transfer
him therefrom 10 the Senate would OF itself be
calamity, greatly aggravated by the fact that
il would retire Mr.. II. TO private life at a time
when the country needs all the talent it can
command.
The recent success Of our arms has satisfied
every impartial and loyal observer that by keep.
inc our forces in the field for one more cam
paign the rebellion will be suppressed that
the only serious difficulties We now have to en-
counter are Of n financial nature to meet these
the need of such man rs Mr.. +. ut the head of
the Treasury Department, is NJ great rs IL was
the day he succeeded Nj. Chase In that, more
than any other department, is a frequent change
of men and consequent change OF views AMI
measures TO be deprecated A; for confidence in
any financial schemes must be secured by
reasonable assurance that they viii not be has
tily or prematurely abandoned.
Again, the Senate represents States; hence,
in that body, Rhode Island, Florida aud Della
ware are equal TO New York Pennsylvania and
Ohio its members are specially chosen to look
after State interests and these interests (as
distinguished from hut not antagOnistic To the
Nationally we may properly consult in our
choice of Senators. In the impending election
We may fairly consider what course would es-
pecially benefit Che State OF Maine.
We have now (beside our members OF the
House Of Representatives, four Of our fellow.
citizens in high position at Washington, to wit:
The Vice President, two Senators and the Sec
rotary Of the Treasury. Upon the 9Th day OF
next March the Vice President retires, not from
any dissatisfaction Of the people with him, but
because Ito avoid any imputation Of 'Section.
alism" against the Union partly II was thought
expedent 10 substitute the name OF one OF -FOUR
Southern brethren for his upon the ticket.
Shall we voluntarily upon the same ith day of
March remove the Secretary OF the Treasury J!
The hold he has upon the confidence of the TX
ecutiye and Of the people, and the reluctance
that must be felt 10 make any change which
will cause financial disturbance, are sufficient
guarantees that Mr. F. can retain his position
even should there be u partial reconstruction Of
the cabinet; and II he be not chosen Senator
(sOlely in Difference To his private, personal
wish), he doubtless riV remain in his present
place IL defeated because the people desire him
To continue where he IL, he must 'eel the CON-
pulsion rs great rs when he assumed the keys
OF the Treasury. rs II State we need for our
protection AL encouragement Nil the influence
we can honestly obtain NJ Washington. No
State whose first settlement dates back so far
as ours has developed its resources To such a
limited extent As wealth has been accumulat-
ell its fortunate pOssessOrs have sought more
genial climate and diverted IL into channels in
which the currents of commerce already run.
For this reason. and because rs n frontier State
we are peculiarly exposed to hostile incursions
by sea and land, we especially need the all and
regard of the general Government and the
best way 10 secure these benefits is 10 have our
own citizens prominent in the direction of ma.
tional affairs.
Should we throw away our seat in the cabinet
we cauno, hope to regain it; in the event Of a
reconstruction only one position will be accOrd-
ell New England. and IL necls not the gift of
prophecy To fUresee that "the Hub" OF The old
Bay State would eagerly snatch the prize We
rejected.
reiterate your own remark. that the coun-
try needs all the talent il can command nj this
time. The proposition of the supporters of Mr..
F., IL acceled TO, relegates 10 private life one
of the ablest men in the land ; on the contrary,
Al -. ,.,t,, 80,
Mr.. +. or the nation: il keeps Mr.. +. in the
place for which he is peculiarly fitted, and also
gives us the benefit OF Mr.. II s. talents In the
Senate of which he has been 50 long and so
worthily member. L.o.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mn. Error Your remarks in the Union
and Journal OF the 9th inst. respecting the can
diiates for the office of United States Senator.
have justly excited attention.; and fearing that
neglect TO object TO them might be construed
into an acquiescencc with them or an indiifer-
ence on the part of the Republicans s to which
Of the gentlemen spoken Of should be elected
as U :. Senator. / feel constrained 20 notice
the editorial.
While admitting the general correctness Of
many of your observations the conclusions are
deemed entirely erroneous. and while the tone
OF seeming fairness in what you say relative to
Senator Fessenden is recognized, yet the gener-
nj tenor Of your article is to render the compar-
ison with Mr.. liamlin unfavorable TO the for
iner gentleman
II Is as unnecessary as IL is unwise to con.
trast these two gentlemen rs To their fitness for
the office under consideration; both are distin-
cuished for ability. both have rendered Nalua-
be public services, and both have held high
positions in the Government.
William Pitt Fessenden has been in the Senate
of the United States for quite number OF
years. He is distinguished for all the high quail
i6cations demanded by one occupying that Of
fee. lie Is man Of calm, cool, considerate
Judgment. OF great learning, ready debater,
and most able and sagacious statesman. He
Is n gentleman OF whom the State Of Maine Is
Justly proud, and there are few Of the Rcpub.
licans OF York county but that recognize his
grea, fitness for the Senate of the United States.
and earnestly desire that he may remain men,
Der of that branch Of Congress. II is there
that his great experience and his great abilities
are needed, and we feel that we cannot dispense
with his services in that position which he has
40 long, so honorably and so ably filed; and
IL by any management OF erroneous Judgment
he should not be elected Senator from our State,
il would by all Of our best men be regarded not
only Us sad blunder but great public calan-
ity.
While we fully recognize his services rs Se,-
rotary of the Treasury, yet We think there can
be found many men in the nation. and men not
now connected with the Government. who could
perform the duties Of that Office as well and as
acceptably rs Senator Fessenden, aud yet not
one who could he found who could so entirely
and satisfactorily ell the Office Of Senator in
Congress. We therefore feel that in selecting
A candidate for Senator to Congress, no other
person should be thought of. nor other name
be mentioned than that Of William Pitt Fessen-