The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-11-23
The next U. 8. Senator

As the time approaches Tor the meeting !
Of the Legislature, the people will think Sc
riously Of supplying the vacancy In The L. |
). Senate, which will occur on the 4th OF
March next.
There are several reasons why Michigan
needs to I'll that vacancy with the best tai
snt she can find. The incumbent, whoever
ne may Ue, VIII Do brought in contact, and
orten In collision with the best abilities and
ripest experience, which can be found IN
all the other States. The election covers q
long space Of time-tin March, l57l-du-
ring which the most important questions OF
national policy, especially as respects re-
construction and finance, may be settled
in a manner that may not be disturbed for
ages. And as the Senate is much smaller
body than the House, the majorities, on
public questions, are small, and even one
vote may be decisive OF the most important
measure OF national policy A United
States Senator, in these times Is a man
with large power in his hands.
What, then, are the qualifications neces-
sary for filling, TO the best advantage OF the
State, this responsible and important posi-
ton?
The first we will name are patriotism
which shall make the good Of the nation
paramount 10 al other considerations, and
an integrity which will not admit OF being
turned from right and proper course by
any Of those inducements Of money or am
ti.sa- --Ls-I. 49, - r.~-a~~~-i"eslSs. end ~
ten so successfully, brought to bear upon
members OF Congress.
Next, a Senator should have eOmpre-
hensive, well balanced mind. II Is not to
be expected that every one will be states
man OF the first class; but We may demand
that be shall have grasp Of mind which
shall comprehend the subjects upon which
be Is to legislate, and sufficient force o.
character to make himself respected among
those with whom he must act.
Again, q knowledge of public affairs
both OF the State which he represents, anC
ofnational matters, Is an indispensable
requisite for Senator. How can any mar
act judiciously respecting things he doe
not understand:
To this We must also add an industry an'
devotion to business which Will do the worl
Of each day during that day, and permit NJ
public interest to suffer on account of hi
Incidence or inactivity.
These qualifications will give to Ssna
TOT respect and influence; but these las
will be largely increased where be has q
ready had a previous experience, either Il
the House or the Senate. AL the pas
shows this. The slave States have Away
returned to Congress, sometimes during
life time, those members who were accept
able to them; and the commanding innu
snee exerted by Clay, Calhoun, and Benton
in their later years, was due, not TO the
aeknowledg liabilities only, but to that gres
knowledge of men, and Of public business
which enabled them to say and do the rigf
thing at the right time, while their norther
opponents, fresh from the people, were STUD
wing TO find out what might be done. Ii
true that it is possible for State to
called on to choose for Senator one not e.
perienced in national legislation, and ma
perhaps wisely do so; but ii would not :
wise TO exchange one who has been trie
and found acceptable for another withoV
experience, for no other reason than b
cause the friends OF the latter insisted upo
his having the place, or because the do
trine of rotation in office requires that e
cry incumbent, at the expiration Of b
term, should invariably give way TO the an
bilious aspirations OF new candidate.
We regard these as the essential requ
sites for the place; but where is the ~
who shall combine them in himselfs
looking the State ali over, county by cou
~, could we find any one who united the
ALL more perfectly thanJAcoB n. HowARl
We despise adulation and toadyism; '
base our opinion OF his merits only on VIII
be is, and what he has done; and we desi
only to call attention TO some circumstanc
in his life. Where an individual in any 81
ton in life, ILLS every duty Of his press
situation with industry and probity, and
the same time qualities himself to do son
thing higher and better when opportun
shall offer, he gives evidence Of the high
type Of manhood, and deserves the resp
Of his fellow citizens, and of mankind.
Howard was born in Vermont in 1910,
moved to Detroit in 1882, and has con
quently been our fellow citizen for THU
two years, and is now fifty-four years
age. Ofhis high attainments as law
we need not speak. In political life he
always identified with the Wings; and
the accession Of that party to power in Ii
when but 81 years old, he was selected Fl
all others to represent the whole Stat
the House Of Representatives, and he
noted at Washington for representing {
stituency of 240, 900 people, number
equalled by any other Representative
tnis time Calhoun and Wise and Mars
and their eompeers were trying to sub
the North by gag laws, as they have >
tined 70 subdue it by bullets. But in
contest Nr. Howard always voted for