The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-12-16
the President may have seen fit to adopt and
recommend to the country. Said Mr.. Fessen-

the President may have seen fit to adopt and
recommend to the country. Said Mr.. Fessen-
den:
II trust there are no such things as exclu-
sive friends of the President among us, or gen
tlemen who desire to be considered sucfi.
have as much respect for the President OF the
United States, probably, as any man: aeted
with him long, and might express the IaVor-
able opinions which / entertain OF MN mere If
they would not be out OF place and IN bad
taste in this body. That am disposed and
ready to support him to the best OF my ability,
as every gentleman around is, in good faith,
and with kind feeling, in all that he may de-
sire that is consistent with my views of duty
to the country, giving him credit for intents
as good as mine, and with ability far greater,
/ am ready to asseverate. But, sir, do not
agree with tie doctrine, and desire to enter
my dissent to it now-here-thaG because
certain line of policy has been adopted by one
branch or the government-theretore, for that
reason alone, and none other, that is to be
tried, even If it is against my juigment-and
] do not say that it is or is not-that is ques-
ton to be considered. nave great respect,
not for myself, perhaps, but for the position /
hold as Senator of the United Srates, and
no mea me of Government, no policy OF the
Pre- sident or OF the head OF department shall
pass me while am a Senator, if 1 know it,
until have examined it and given my assent
to 1t; not on account OF the source from which
it emanatel. but on account OF its own intrin-
sic merits, and because believe it will re Jult
in the good OF my country. That is my du-
ty as Senator, and I fear no misconstruction
at home on this subject or any other. I have
repre- sented the State from which / come too
long to fear anything of that kind. If I act
against the preiudices or pIeconceived opin-
ions ofthat people they are always ready to
hear me, and hear my reasons, and, If they are
SATISFACTORY 10 them, w gave HE cTeais iof
them, and If not satisfactory, at least 10 give
me ere Lit for good intentions, and that Is all
ask of anybody. Allow me to say, sir, in clos
ing, one bainy which 1 may as wen say now in
the be .ianing of the session, because 1t is the
pcinciDe which intend shall guide my action,
and hope will guide the action of all of u.s.
We have just gone through state of war
Whiie we were in it it became necessary all
around to do certain things for which, per-
haps, no strict warrant will be found-contra-
ry at any rate, to previous experience-that
admit most distinctly. Sir, i defende them
from tue be ginning. laid down the principle
that the man who, placed in a position such
a, the President and other officers occupied
would not, in TINA of war and when his
county was in peril, put his own reputation
at hazards as readily as he would anything
else in order to do his dnty was not fit Tor his
pidce. upnelu MANY IningS tnen tnaL per-
haps would not uphold now, because they
are not necessary. The time must come
when the Senate and House of Representatives
the Conyre ss-must revert to its original po-
sition. do not think there will be the slight
est danger. / have no apprehension of any;
but if 1 act upon different principles now and
hereafter in a state OF peace from those which
I adopted and defended before, wish every
boiy to understand the reason for it. In all
countries, in all nations, in a time of ext eme
peril, extreme and somewhat questionable
measuSes are inevitable; hut in time of peace,
when we live under written Constitution, it
i, our duty to come back as fast as possible
to forget, if necessary, any precedent which
might, if made in times like these, have Oc-
casioned very serions difficulty and trouble"