The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-01-02
Who Shall be Senator.


Uutil saw the ventilation of the Senator
question in the newspapers, did not suppos' Z
that any doubt existed of the return of MI.
Fessenden TO bis old position at the Senatt
Board. His merits and his peculiar fitness
for the station raised him eminently above any \
other candidate and would have seemed u ]
disarm rivalry. But the newspaper discussion
has shown that my impressions were delusive,
and that there is really to be an opposition te
the reelection Of the distinguished individua,
whom have named.
1t may then be proper to enquire into thu
principle which should govern the Legislature
In coming to decision on this very impor-
tant measure. take 1t for granted that mere
personal considerations should be left entirely
: out of the question-tha is, as electors, pri
vate considerations-person preferences FOL
this individual or for that, should be laic
aside, and the honor and the substantial inter-
ests Of the State should alone be the guide t.
a choice. On such question, as legislator,
am bound, morally bound. to forget my
prejudices, my private opinions. and look onl, !
to the great fact, who viii do the highest hon
or, and con er the greatest beneat, to my be-
loved State. --aa<---
Now nresponse to this requirement., lay
peal to every membar of the legislature to put
his hand upon his breast and conscientiously
say, which of the two candidates In his opiL-
ion, would lest fulfil the condition above
stated. s8Ss3gax "a a1DasgxasS
Mr.. Fessenden has been the. acknowledged
leader OF the Administrator party in the SEN
ate from the Inauguration of President Lin.
coin, to the hour Of his leaving the Board
As Chairman of the Committee of Finance,
the. most important position in Congress
during this period of heavy expenditure, be
has displayed remarkable skill and frmness
he has carefully and thoroughly examined
every subject brought before that Committee.
aud given toit an intelligent support or deni
al, and made clear exposition. Of every fnan-
cial measure which has been brought before
the Committee; he has proved himself an abb
and competent Chaucellor-of the ExchequeI
As debater he is distinguished by his calm,
digniaed and courteous manner, his close an,
lucid augmentation, his freedom from every.
thing coarse or derogatory, and his fearles,
denunciation OF trick, fraud, intrigue and dis
honesty wherever ithas come in his way. The
position which Mr.. Eessenden has occupie,
before the whole nation as a sound, clear
headed, upright statesman, has reflected grea,
honor tothe State, which placed him on thai
exalted arena. Weare all partakers of hi
fame and benefited by It. The eminent mel
OF State are its crown Of glory-by them il,
honor and grandeur ars perpetuated, the ag.
of Pericles immortalized Greece, and the Az.
guatan era conferred unfading glory upol
Rome. What, in the best daysoof the Repub
lie gave such influence and renown to Viz
ginia, son Carolina, Kentucky and Massa
chusetts, IN our National affAirs2 Was it no
their eminent men-thelr Washington, Je ffsi.
son, Madison, Marshall, Henry, the Pinkneys.
Calhoun, Clay, Crittenden, Dane, Cabot, the
Adams's, Pickering, Webster? These person.
were the beacon lights Of their age and wer.
kept In office for the tact, knowledge anr
experience which they acquired there; ant
these were Used for the promotion of the Ma
tlonsf good, as well as the In crest and honor
OF their respective States. =, zr~@-rr r-S-.
Maine has distinguished herself In the ielc
of war; her officers and men are among thu
bravest and the best; let not the other, TIT
civil field of glory be less graced by our noble
and honored sons. Mr.. Fessenden has given
three Of his four sons to the National army;
the fourth would have followed but for consti.
tutional impeachment. One, has been killed il
battle, the other two have been severed,
wounded in the contest. The father gives
himself, all his powers, physical and intellee-
tual, TO the great cause. The State, nor the
Nation, can afford to lose his valuable services,
and we shall prove recreant to ourselves if by
any act of ours we shut the door of the Sen
ate Chamber against man so pre-eminently
Qualified by experience, by ability. by devo
ton to his country, as is the present Secretary
of the Treasury. ' A@ *ess
Mr.. Fsssenden is representative man; his
reputation is not limited to State boundaries
but is'National, nay, European. Maine has
no moral right TO withhold such aiman from
the National Councils She cannot offer
substitute iur him. aau JUSTICE.