Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1869-12-23

ing systeh, and finally. reconstruc-
ton, all received the touch Of his hand
and the influence OF his genius.
In sentiment Mr.. Fessenden was
thoroughly anti slavery. It was his
inheritance, and through life he was
faithful 70 it. In all the attempts Of
slavery fot recognition and protection
his opposition was inhexible. When
10 be anti,slavery was to be anti Amer
lean. he was anti-slavery when his
party would compromise he dissented,
when repeal was demanded in its in
terest he protested; when, later, on
the eve Of rebellion, conference and
concession were proposed, he would
have no participation in IL, And would
yield no assent; and when war came
for separation aud. Independent slave
power. he saw in it the nations oppor-
tunlty; and that initial measures for
universal cmancipation-aboli Of
of slavery here, he declared, was
measure that had ever been dear to his
heart aud later. on Kindred qucs-
iion. lie said. II tell the President
from my place here AS Senator. and |
tell the generals Of the army, that they
must reverse their practice of return
ing fugitive slaves who come within
our lines"
The lineaments of Mr.. Fesscnden's
character were marked and clear He
was endowed with an acute PERSONAL
" and scif-reliancc. Penetration and
insight sonAcntiv characterized his
genius lie was throu .h his prcpara-
tory course. had graduated from col
lese, stutied his profession and enter
cd upon its practice AMI had gained
distinction in the departments Of law
and legislation, at an age when most
minds are Just bee,sssAsx 70 .agnten-
plate their intrlcacles and ascend tfS1,r
rusgsd stcep.
There was next 10 nothing in his
life, public or private, which was facti-
tlous Cr artificial. His professional
success and his influence in state and
national legislation. were BY no acci-
dent. nor by the employment Of aivcn-
tltious supports, but by the inherent
energy AMI force OF his mental constl-
tuition. lie was eminent IN his pro-
frsslon, as Ia hun were combined those
intellectual faculties and mental habits
which 20 10 make tue lawyer, the
statesman, and the public adninistra-
tor. Had he Fosscssed more sentiment
and greater enthusiasm for the ideal,
1T would doubtless have increased his
popularity. while it may be questioned
If his reliability as citizen, his dis
tiaction as a lawyer, or his eminence
as a legislator, would have been great
er.
uhiiu lhe Intensely practical eve,
80 asserted its preponIc ance over the
ideal IN action as 10 present 10 super
fetal observance lack Of the finer
senslbIlliies. lie did nothing from i'm
pulse. and on the most exciting occa-
sions, could be free from irrepressible
rcstlessncs. but It was the calm of
high resolve, persistent and tenacious
in IL, triumph over passion and nt-
mcut. He was nevertheless suscepti-
BILE 10 the gentlcr influences, most
genial companion, gentle, tender and
aiiectionatc in his family, and hal dc
light IN the elegant arts ts-scuipturc,
painting aud poetry.
Mr.. tessendcn was not theorist
the visions Of abstract speculation did
not INSPIRE him with confidence. lie
saw passing events As IL were in the
retrospect, and was little affected BY
the Fictitious circumstances aud ex-
citements Of the momcnt-He was
not especially defereulial 10 the authur-
ity Of precedents or tradition nor
readily attracted by novelties, or spe-
clous pretences Of reform, and fear
lessly applied to all propositions for
his act on or assent, the rigor OF his ac-
cu>tomed methods of induction and
analysis.
His character rested on a granite
basis. and sustained the structure Of a
lofty public virtue and private integ-
rity ; while an iniicXlble personal indie
pendence kept guard over the intellect
and conscience, and challenged the ad-
vance alike oi friend and foe 10 this Of
his power and secret of his success. 1t
would have been Impossible for him,
Ike nis great nane-sake, the premier
of George the Third, to recover office,
10 acquire or retain place or power, by
a concession of his pri1 iples or of
point Of honor No public man ever
more heroicaily followed the leadership
Of his reason and judgment, and with
aloltier disdain Of inferior guidance.
us mind and method wete Of the
judicial order. He did not defer TO the
DECISION OF the popular Judgment as
the sum Of political wisdom and the
inevitable law Of duty. dis own, and
not the public sense, was HE rule Of
action as a Senator. He paid little
court to the people, and practiced no
articles and employed no gratuities
to enlist them in his interests or pur-
poses. And he did not sway the mas
seeso much hy the sublimity Of his SEN
tinents as he inspired confidence and
admiration BY the dignity of his man
ners, the clearness Of his understand
ing, and the purity Of his life.
That he possessed ambition was
doubtless true, while equally true it
was that ne was free from all suspic-
ion that his ambition had overcome his
judgment Or betrayed his public virtue.
lie had little ambition for mere power,
and less use for it. Patronage he did
not covet or employ as a support.
lfexcellence in oratory is to be de-
termined by its-instant effect, Mr.. Fes-
sender was in this entitled to high
rank. His style was clear and close,
his reasoning concise, his language
simple and natural. his sarcasm keen
and pungent. His speeches were cal