The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-13
Senator Fessenden at Home.

iiG We publish this morning. letter from an
occasional correspondent, an intelligent look
er-on in Washington, who seems to believe
that Mr.. Fessenden is not appreciated in his
own State. We had supposed that re-elec-
ton, term after term, to the United States
Senate, was as stronga proof OF respect and
o. confidence as a State could well give. We be-
= heve that Mr.. Fessenden's keen intelligence,
which cleayes always to the very heart of his
subject at blow, is known and admired in
Maine as well as in Washington. - e
The parallel which our correspondent draws
a between Mr.. Fessenden and Mr. Sumner is
unjust to both gentlemen. The two are COM
-pletely unlike. Mr.. Sumner contributes large
ly to the Illumination of every subject he dis
cusses. Mr.. Fessenden proposes the prac-
10 tical measure which settles the whole ques-
ton. Mr.. Summer produces instructive politi-
I, cal essays, which insensibly mould and infu-
2 enee public opinion to wonderful extent
I Mr.. Fessenden is master OF debate, unrivalled
in his control over mems minds at the time
and place where he speaks. Mr.. Sumner is
9 never satisfied without his clear and consis-
tent theory, according to which legislation
i ought to proceed; he holds that the rebellious
States have committed suicide. Mr.. Fessenden
wants only his fact he holds that there has been
war, and that we are victorious, thus reach
ing at once the result of Mr.. Summers prolix
reasenings-namely, that the Southern COM
munities have no rights to claim. 199 ~
1t is not strange that men so differently con-
stituted should sometimes disagree. The con-
tradiction OF their views respecting the Blame
Z amendment, was welbexplained by Mr.. Sum-
ner himself, when, alluding to the familiar sto-7
o. ry Of the shield with different inscriptions on
g its two sides, he went on to say, "The meas
ure now before the Senate has two sides. The
Senator from Maine, as he approaches it, sees
only the side which limits the representation.
p AS approach it, / see the recognition of
g caste and the disfranchisement of race. He
defends it; / condemn it, But he defends on
ly what he sees. / condemn only what see.
z Ii is the misfortune OF the measure" We be-
heye tina: the preponderant feeling in Maine
is in this case with Mr.. Sumner, that the pos
saotstty OF DISTINGUISHING any class of Ameri-
can citizens on account of color ought not to
be contemplated by the national constitution.
The people OF Maine do not however forget
that Mr. Sumner found himself in yery strange
company when he voted against the amend
ment. Mr.. Summers own colleague onnosed
& him on this question. The New York ITibune
regretted his determination. 1t is needless
now to enquire what was the practical merit,
of the proposed measure That is a question
I which Mr.. Fessenden's own opinion would 60
far to settle. 1t is sufficient to say, that the
measure was fully satisfactory to nobody, not
even to its supporters; and the admission that
Mr.. Summers objections were theoretically
+, valid, ought not to be misunderstood as indi-
eating any shadow of distrust or depreciation
of the men, both in and out of Congress, who
denied their force G11slH .Ea1 iega