The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-12-16
DEC. IA. 1854
~ -.,., - ts ,Ia 81. . no,, =,

UEc. ~. 1904.
To THE EprroR: I write to thank you for
the article appearing in your last issue rela.
tive to the U. 8. Senatorship. Il was writ
ten with great candor, and tho conclusion ut
which you arrived will, am confident, ,com-
mend itself to the judgement OF candid men.
read it with great interest and indeed, l
nav say with great pleasure. conceive the
discussion Of questions, In the ISOLATION OF
which the people have deep concern, to be
one of the highest and most Important duties
Of Journalist. Such question Is that in
volyed in the approaching election OF U. s.
Scn,tor. II may we'll be doubted whether
1t should not justly be regarded in the nature
of misfortune, that HANNIBAL HAyLIN and
WILLIAM p. FEssESpEN occupy the position
of opposing candidates for that office. Pre-
sent appearances seem to indicate however.
that trial Of strength 10 inevitable, and
however much wo may deplore the fact, 1t Is
the part of wisdom to look the matter square.
ly In the face, and do. in view OF oil the cir
cumstances, that which shall seem to DO for
the best.
1t is not strange that contest between
the friends of gentlemen of such eminent
ability. and OF whom the people of Maine
are 50 justly proud, excite deep and gener-
al interest not only in this State but In 9th
err States. Both gentlemen are known and
honored throughout the length and breadth
of the land. Each occupies and has occu'
pied exalted positions, and each is qualified
BY natural ability, education and experience
to ill acceptably the great Office of an Amer
lean Senator. | do not apprehend 1t will be-
come necessary in urging the claims either, to
detract from tho honorable fame, and ac-
knowledged abilities OF tho other. In stat
ing NV preference for Mr. Eamlin, do not
feel called upon to draw comparisons or give
any opinion IN to the comparative merits OF
the candidates, neither do undertake to
speak oracularly. lam but one Of the poo
pie. do not seek to thrust my views upon
anybody, nor ask or expect that because
think MI. Hamlin ought to be elected that
Others should think SO too. We can oil af.
ford to be tolerant in this matter. and in fact
il the contest comes, we STALL need to cult.
vate spirit of liberation to u greater extent
than wc arc often called upon to do. You
stated tho case so fairly tina. little is left to gay
by way of argument, even if 1t were desira-
bic to do So Ibelieve that the common people
desire the election OF Mr.. lIamlin. On all
the great questions Of the day he ia right.
No man is Trusted more implicitly than he.
They feel what few will deny, that he has
contributed as much, il not more, than any
living man, to the success and stability OF
the Republican party in Maine. AT the
most critical period OF our existence rs a
party, he brosht to our aid the influence OF
of his great name and his heartiest and most
effective efforts; and with him came hun.
drcds and thousands Of the party with whom
he had acted. In leaving the organization
of the Democratic party he committed no
act of qualification. lie has never changed
his views upon the great principles which
tho Union regard as cardinal and tundalnen-
tai. His career is without tersiversation,
and his record without spot. The people bs-
lieve in his unsel6sh patriotism, his incor:.
ruptible honesty. his wisdom. prudence and
sagacity. He has endearcd himself to their
hearts, as few public men ever have, and rs
few public men ever can. They recognize
the fact that he has never forgotten that he
ia the agent and not the master Of the pco-
pie. Place and power and influence and POI
stion have wrought no change in him. In
every position, and at oil times he has been
the faithful. laborous, devoted friend OF the
people Everywhere and always he has been
Hannibal IIamlin, the representative man,
and one of the best living illustrations OF the
bcnefcent character of our free institutions.
have written this much hastily, and have
no idea that IL approaches to the dignity OF