The Portland daily press., 1864-08-17
Secretary Fessenden.
SpURwINK.

We copy the following from the National
Intelligencer, a journal, We are sorry to know.
whose procliyties are by no means in the
right direction so far as its politics are con-
cerned. We wish all its editorials were as
just, PATRIOTS and truthful, as the one we
copy below. 1t does no more than justice to
Mr.. Fessenden, aud we should rejoice If it
would mete out equal justice to all our public
servants, but that may be too much to expect
from its present editors:
The Secretary of the Treasury left the seat
of government Tor his home in Maine some
ten or twelve days ago, and some days after
his arrival IN Portland the Press of that city
contained an editorial article In reference to
him, portion OF which, as it indicates his
views and intentions and bears on public al
fairs, we copy for the benefit of our readers,
as follows:
1--WE will state what we learned from Mr..
Fessenden himself: that he considers his oc-
eupai CT OF a seat in the Cabinet as a mere
temporary thing; he does not consider his
strength adequate TO the laborious aud unre-
hitting duties OF the place, and be will hold ii
only TIL he can resign without detriment to
the public service. The best feeling exists be-
tween him and President Lincoln. and his
~ q ouildbiC VIII HOk Dt IT,
garded as discourtesy by the Elk, cutve.
will be seen, the, eiore, that our State is not
necessarily 10 be deprived Of Mr.. Fessenden's
distinguished abilities and eminent talents in
the United States Senate. His friends will
insist upon his return TO that body at the
commencement OF the next term, and we ale
glad TO know that 1t will not be distasteiul to
him to comply with their wishes"
1t was generally understood at the time,
and we did not doubt the fact, that Mr.. Fes-
sender accepted the office OF Secretary OF the
Treasury hesitatingly and Reluctantly, and
that he yirlded his consent at last from sheer
sense of duty, not only because the state OF
his heslth-not very firm, we believe, for sew
eral years past-hardly warranted his assum-
ing duies so labrious and responsible as
those which In the present condition OF the
country devolve on the head Of the Treasury,
but because 1t demanned the REIMBURSEMENT
OF seat in the Senate Of the United States
a post much more congenial. familiar, and
easy. though by no means free from labor as
Mr.. +. filed 1t. These reasons induced US to
believe that ne would probably not endure the
cares Of the onerous office OF Secretary of the
Treasury very long, and therefore, although
we are not surprised to learn that he already
begins TO look to retirement from IL, we think
1t will be misfortune both for the Govern
ment and the country II he should insist on
retiring at least before the close OF the next
session of Congress.
That Mr.. Fessenden should desire to return
10 the Senate is most natural. 1t is most nat
nrai especially for him--a post of dignity suf
ncient Tor any mans ambition, aud where he
won the respect OF all his peers by his emf
nent ability. his assiduity, and the observance
OF Underwriting Senatorial propriety. There
was hardly member of the body that could
not have been better spared when he was
transferred to the Executive branch of The
Government; but he is now, as we conceive
necessity for that branch. and any body had
better for one session occupy the seat In The
Senate than that the Treasury should in The
present juncture lose Mr.. Fessenden.
We refer to the matter in all Its relations
with the most perfect disinterestedness. Our
suggestions are dictated solely by regard for
the public interest.