The Portland daily press., 1868-06-05
Terms $500 per ann,,ns, d,, adrance.

| ling an element in the horoscope of a polit,
clans future as we are are apt specifically TO
| consider it? Time will show.
Consider on the other hand, for a moment,
what would have been Mr. Fessenden's status
| ior the next nine and one-half months if john
soh had been convicted. With Wade in the
presidehtiai chair, and Sumner Secretary of
state, what would have been the influence of
Senator FeSsenden? Precisely what Summers
and Wade's would be if Mr.. Fessenden were
Presdent,-a nullity. Was this a nleasant
prospect to contemplate? But it was pener-
ally understood that the chances of conviction
were throughout materially weakened by the
apprehension that its success would insure the
denomination of Mr.. Wade for Vice-President
at chicago. In case conviction had brought
ABOUT that event, what would then have been
MI fessendens prospects of political influence
after March 1859? Most men are consciously
or unconsciOusly Influenced by their likes and
dislikes. IL our Senator supposed by his
friends or his enemies TO be beyond or above
their reach? We suspect that most of us in
his situation would like to be excused from
voting yourselves out of favor and our enc
mics in, by our casting vote. Rut it is urged
chances of reelection, to say nothing of his
Presidential prospects.
AS to the latter no Republican of Mr.. Fes-
senden's age has any chance for the Presiden-
ey because Gen. Grant will be elected and re-
elected, If the party remains in power. As to
the former ain not quite so clear. He is sure
OF his seat until March 1871 to begin with 1t
was hardly 10 be expected that the Republi-
cans Of Maine would in any event have added
fourth Senatorial term, for very few men
have ever sat twenty-four years conse cutively
in the U. s. Senate
Neither should we too confidently assume
thar the Republican party win have control
of Maine in 1901. 1t has already governed
the State for twelve years, longer period
than any of its predecessors. Even if the par
ty should continue in power is it absolutely
certain that the radical element will then be
uppermost, or if it should be that the acquittal
vote of 1868, will be remembered and punish
ed? Experience shows that the people of
Maine are slow to anger long suffering and
OF great mercy, and that politics are remark
ably uncertain. Already we are cautioned
against severity toward the opponents of con-
viction, lest we divide the party by driving
these powerful gentlemen into third party
headed by the Chief Justice. If, then, they
conclude to give their support to Gen. Grant,
as Senator Fessenden has just been pleased to
announce, may they not claim the welcome
accorded to the returning Prodigal, the for
giveness extended to the repentant sinner,
political luminaries, shining all the brighter
for their temporary eclipse?
Our conclusion is that Senator Fessenden
does not deserve to be censured as dishonest,
| corrupt, or even unconscientious, nor to be
| gloriied as martyr or a special patriot His
| motives, like those of nest of his compeers,
are probably Of average human spurity, with
fair share of prejudice, personal dislike and
interest present and prospective, while, like
all the the rest of us he fances that lie is act
| ing on the elevated plane of pune reason and
| in the atmosphere of judicial impartiality and
| disinterestednes'. After all, the people have
| less to do with his motives than his vote and
| its consequences BY the latter he must be
| judged, and stand or fall by the verdict of hi
| constituents, who will, according TO their own
| IDEAS of justice, c0nscientioasly" take the
liberty to judge him with the same independ-
ence and freedom with which lie has voted on
| the impeachment. On him and each of the
seven, rests the heavy personal responsibility
of the continuance of President Johnson's
. term" for nine aud one half months whether
for good or evil, time will soon develop. &.