The Portland daily press., 1864-12-14

United STATES senator.
One of the most important duties that viii
devolve upon the Legislature, at its approach
ing session, will be the election of United
States Senator for the six years commencing
the fourth Of March next. We have hereto
fore had very little to say in relation to this
matter, and particularly in relation to candi-
dates, because we have felt that men worthy
to hold seats in the legislature OF a State
whose constitution recognizes the importance
of the common school-house, were competent
to decide for themselves on question Of this
character, without any attempt of ours to en-
tighten them.
Entertaining such feelings, we do not pro-
pose now, when the time for action Is so near
at hand, to read any homilies % Inc members
elect upon their duties in this regard. The
choice viii unouestionably, fall upon one of
two of the most distinguished citizens OF the
State. one resident Of this city, and the 9TH
ar resident OF the chief city on the Penob-
acct waters Thus far we have heard the
name OF no other person mentioned in con-
nection with this high Office; and to our mind
It source of honest pride, as citizen Of
Maine, that at the present juncture no thought
is entertained of allowing the Senatorial man
tie to fall, for the next six years, upon any per-
son less-known or less distinguished than a
Cabinet Minister or avice President of the
United States. 1t would be idle to tell us
that, with such condition Of things existing,
the commonwealth is in the slightest danger
Of being disgraced by the selection to be
made. gssi1sg IS lsIsfxs Fl.
Both of the gentlemen referred to have
their strong points. Mr.. HAMLIN has ever
been an obIiging public servant OF the people,
faithful, devoted, and ever attentive to the
wants OF his constituents and to the welfare
of the State. at sasooi 81 ~ sg9 sf ss
Mr.. FEssENDEN is confessedly one of the
nations great men. He is a man of ccm-
handing talents, was conceded to be the best
debater in the Senate, and he thoroughly un-
derstands all the duties Of the position, while
his integrity aud perfect freedom from all the
arts of the politician, are, to those who
know him best, a tower of strength. He Is
indeed a noble specimen of the statesman
as distinguished from the mere politician. s.s
We are induced to pen this article simply
because we have seen, going the rounds of
the papers, certain mischievous paragraphs
touching our senatorial question; uaisehievous
because not calculated to convey truthful
impression. For instance, we have seen state
ments that Mr.. HAMLIk has got the ainside
track that he is likely to carry two thirds
~ both housoc thot In Vowky ls,.4
too Of the members elect, of both House and
Senate, are sure for him, and much more OF d
similar kind. ,.-s.-, ,,ss
Now in answer to such reports, we have on.
ly to say that they are probably put forth BY
those with whom the wish is father to thu
thought, and to produce effect upon men pre-
sumed neither to reason nor to be possessed
of ordinary Intelligence. We are informed
that Mr.. FEssENDEN's friends feel perfectly
confident; that while they have sought to
change no mans opinion or to influence his
vote, they have taken pains to inform them
selves in relation TO the proposed action Of
members elect of the Legislature, and the re-
suit is they find avery decided majority Of the
members elect of the House, whom they have
wellfounded reasons for believing will vote
for Mr.. FEssENDEN. or the York county
members, instead of all but two being COM
mitted to Mr.. HAMLIN, they find that all but
two have expressed themselves in favor
of Mr.. FEssENDEN, and that the two excep-
tional cases are by no means committed
against him. The Senate, Mr.. FEssENDEN's
friends believe, will show a very decided ma
jority in his favor. Such is the result Of their
inquiries: such their expectations. - 81 Z Z
They urge Mr.. FEssENDEN's election, be-
cause, FIRST, they believe no more honorable
selection can be made, none more creditable
either to the State or to the nation; and, sec
ond, because they feel that, under the circum.
stances, it is due to him that he should be re-
turned to that body. If Mr.. FEssENDEN had
not left the Senate for the Cabinet, but was
now member of the Senate, it is believed
and 50 believed because many friends of Mr.
HAMLIN have so said-that his election would
be conceded against all contingencies. 1t
would then be considered plain case, free
from all complications. Mr.. FEssENDEN's
friends fe ell that, in this regard, his being out
of the Senate and in the Cabinet should not
change the case, or introduce any new eie-
ment, because he did not leave the Senate
from choice, but in obedience-to what seemed
the imperative demands of the country at the
time, and altogether adversely to his own in
clinations. He sacriflced his own feelings
and his choice that he might obey superior
claim; the claim of his country at critical
hour. He did this with the distinct under
standing with the President, that his resigns
ton at any moment, when the public interest
would not suffer by such withdrawal, might
be expected, and should not be considered a
discourtesy either towards the President or
any member of his cabinet. He felt, he now
feels, that his physical forces are not adequate
to the constant draft upon his bodily energies
in the position he now fills, and that-to ask
him to continue in that situation is simply to
ask him to immediate himself upon his coun-
try's altar, when by care he could reasonably
count upon many years of labor in his coun-
%try's service; an act of selfabnegation, how
ever praiseworthy upon the tented field, by
no means demanded Of any civil Office in the
land. IF Mr.. FEssENDEN is elected to the
Senate, the country will have the benefit of
his commanding abilities for the next six
years. should his valuable life be SO long SPAR
ed; if he should not be cleo ed, he will prob
ably feel compelled, by the condition Of his
health, to retire from public to private life,-
and this lisa sufficient reason why those who
know him well,--his talents, his integrity anf
his good Judgment should feel anxious e
have him returned to the Senate. glas.
One word more, and we leave this matter
probably not to refer to it again until the
question shall have been settled by tie legis-
lature; the only tribunal that can determine
it. We have heard and read suggestions thai