The Portland daily press., 1869-12-21

nuence, and at this time when on assembling
together we miss bis presence from our coun-
ellis and begin TO realize the nations loss, we
should pause from our labors and, consecrat-
ing day to bis memory, pay tribute to his
virtues.
For my self, sir, have rever so fully recog-
nized the loss sustained by our country, my
State, and my own immediate constituents, as
since l returned to my labors here; for al
though he was my neishbor and my friend, yet
it was during the sessions OF Congress that
l was most closely and intimately connected
with him. Indeed, since his election to the
Senate it was in discharge OF his public duties
here that most of his active life was spent.
At home he lived quite retired, passing
most of his time with his family and in his gar
den and library, mingling but little with So
ciety and avoiding all excitement. His close
application to his duties here during the sess-
ions OF Congress, which were never interrupt-
ed except by Sickness while he was member
of the Senate, made such drafts on his natur-
ally feeble constitution as to render it neces-
sary for him to recuperate mentally and phys
ically, during the recess.
A slight departure from this his usual
course probably induced the attack which ter
minated his lite. His sickness lasted but
few days, during which time the hopes and
fears of his friends alternated, until the morn
ing of September Z, when he began gradually
to sink away.
ellis suferings ended with the day,
Yet lived be at Its close,
And breatued the long, long night away
In statue-like repose!
'But when the sun in all his state
llIumed the eastern skies,
He pissed through glorys morning gate
And walked in PaIaiise.''
He died in Portland at his home, which he
l0ya1 woll anH cd bx, IL
and friends, who were so dear to him, at twen-
ty minutes past six o'clock on the morning of
September s. ri
Mr.. Fessenden, though born in the State of
New Hampshire, October 16, 1876, was from
his earliest childhood a resident OF Maine. In
that State ne received his early training and
his collegiate education and it was in the pub
lie service OF that State that he acquired repu-
tation as an able s. statesman.
Admitted to the bar before he had attained
his majority, he rose rapidly in his profession,
and at the time of his withdrawal from it in
to political life had no superior at the bar in
Maine and very few in the country. Candid,
straightforward, and direct, clear in his state.
ments and logical in his arguments, he had
great influence with court and jury; and it
was these qualities which, brought into exer-
else into the forum of the Senate, gave him
such commanding influence in that body
antly for the most exciting and arduous duties
oipoitical life. Identified with the Wing par
ty, which being in minority iu the State and
nation felt the necessity for putting forth It's
abest champions, be found it difficult to resist
the demands m ade upon him by his political
friends; and in 1881 he was elected one ofthe
representatives from the city Of Portland to
the Legislature OF Maine, and although the
youngest member he soon rose to distinction
in the body and in the State.
1t was during this period that the United
States Bank question was agitating Congress
and the country, and resolutions were intro
duced into the Legislature instructing the
Senators in Congress from Maine to vote
against rechartering that institution. Mr.
FesseDden made a speech against the resolu-
tions which is remarkable not only for that
peculiar power which distinguished his subse-
quent effo is, but more remarkable still as en-
bodying his views OF the duties and response
bi!ities of Senator of the United States and
as laying down those opinions and principles
which governed his own action in that high
position. Some passages OF this speech so
SirilSinoly illustrate his character and shed SO
much light upon his course as public man
that cannot iorbear quoting th"m here
Speaking of the proposition to instruct Sena-
tors in Congress by State Legislatures, he
said:
"Tbey have much better opportunities to
give the question full, fail, and thorough exam
ination than we can possibly possess. They,
too, are acting under the sanction of an oath,
and they have, therefore, stronger inducements
to give this 6mater, as they are to pass upon
it, such an investigation as it deserves.
Sir, have no doubt that our Senators in
Congress entertain these views. l should hesi-
tate to believe that in the discharge OF their
high and i'm oortant trust they would on ques-
tio0s OF great importance to our whole coun-
try yield up their honest convictions and viO-
late their oaths simply to comply with the di
rectiOnS of any set Of men whatever l am
free to confess sir, that would not thus act
On questions of mere local interests, interests
connected with themselves alone,i III y constitu-
ents have right to instruct me, and 1 am
bound to obey their instructions g.
But, sir, on questions of general interest
have higher obligation; am bound to exam
inc and judge for myself, to form my own opin-
ions and to act upon them. and them only, on
question of this kind. Sir, did know that
the opinion of every one of my constituents
differed from my own, if acted at all would
act according to my own honest convictions of
right were it directly in their teeth. Those
whom represent, sir, would despse me il
acted otherwise. No, sir; I might in such a
case resign my Office, but would never viO-
late the dictates of my own conscience. l am
willing to be the servant of the people, but /
never will be their slave.'
How clearly and distinctly these words fore
shadow the last prominent act of his public
life. .tTt .l-
Ii MS constituents were disappointed III
MS vote on tne Imprisonment triai lucy were
at least lalrly walieo VI tne pr'nclpies which
Wouiu govern 'he lnsn wuoni .n1y oncsc "
represent them. Dlnerins win MN ln nlS .I
Vote Oh tnis question, oeheVinS Inen as ! sum
peneve he reacneu WronS eouc'us'ons, Can !.
not too strongly express my admiration of
the high motives by which he was governed.
Anu, eI, wna,eVe, uileieneS y, ooui'on .ay
eSist G in resa'u " ane uusy y, MP,esen.a.se5
Vi StateS cr ulsli!cts 70 oHey tile eAplesoeu
will OF their constituents, all VINO appreciate
true MANHOOD must ADMIRE tne cnaracter Oh
MN VINO IN youth avowed these many Pin5
ciples anu consistently anu courageous. hNeu
up 10 tnem against whatever teinptatioil ~
tne gay Vi n's Geatu. -,
Inc same hion Tone Is cnaracterlstlc OF tne
man VINO IN carry lie spoke inese brave WORDS !;
ana TINS character OF periect integrity and
conscientlousness impressed nseli upon al
WIN whom MT. fessenden came ID contact.
Ills speeches were never seEsatlonat: clothed
IN PLAIN, simple language, tney were severe IN
their logic, apt and pointed in their appllca-
ton, and wonderfully effective IN their lnflu-
ence. ne seeuaea W iouoW the naAln o'
oolohiol', Inat ~ 10 ah nonoI ~. I'D lnau "
cease from s.rhe, ouG every 100, WI VIII DC mea-
ollns' Iol ne neser alsslpaIeu nis poMea III
ansry w!ahSnns, Vi IN STUMP spee.nes vi eul-
rent toPlcs, pu. reser'eu III: st'enstli ior elnei-
senGies wnen ~ was lequlieu, anu however
suuuen anu nnpui 1im .he oees'on' Ho Mas
al"ays iounu ieauF anu .oly aineu. nan
uo pio.ehS!ol' " oi".0'ioai PoMS!o "hu M 81 %
1 u,n sPean " popat t..;n,, - t.; :. ,om
couu eou Use VI e az ,,i,, .uu'
aous0 i;n,,, "i ""o'e-0' W @ p''en VI