The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-09-13

One of the clearest minds, perhaps the most
powerful intellect, of those that have, during
the past fifteen years, guided in the councils
OF The nation, in peace and war, has passed
away; but the principles which he promul-
gated and indicated in life and thought, in
speech and action, are immortal. To those
who accused us of narrow views and fanatc
zeal it was sufficient answer that men Oh ca'ii-
ole spirit and cool judgment, ike MI fe'
sender. Mr. Lincoln, Judge Irnmoui anu
John sherman. were found among our hosts.
KnouIedoe of MI. Fessenden's concurrence OF
opinion strengthened the CONVICTIONS ana con-
f,med the allegiance of many Republicans OF
conservative and cautious tendency. The
fact that the principles of political equality
and universal liberty have lost one of their
ablest advocates, should only stimulate to
greater exertion in their behalf those who re-
main. More united and determined effort
must supply the loss of intellectual power
The development and triumph of liberal
Ideas do not hang upon the slender thread of
any one life; the final issue is not doubtful !;
but God, using US as his instruments, allows it
to be advanced or retarded by human effort.
and ultimately will hold us responsible as we
either aid or hinder the righteous cause.
The most marked characteristics of the de-
ceased statesman were his perfect integrity
and personal independence. Not destitute of
ambition, proud of the confidence reposed
in him by his felow-citizens in selecting him
to represent his adopted State in the national
legislature, and still more of the reputation
which his manner of'discharging that i'm
portant trust brought to him, and naturally
DESTROYS of preserving his station and its
honors, he never sought to reach or retain
the place by any of the arts of political di-
plomacy; nor would he consent to sacrifice
his own ideas of personal responsibility and
obligation, nor lower his high standard of dig
nified conduct which he thought became an
American Senator, to secure his advance
ment His course upon the question of alb
sorbing interest upon which he differed so
widely from so many of his friends was the
natural expression of those traits to which
we have referred as constituting the strength
of his character, to which he owed his COM
handing position before the country. Now
that the grave has closed over that unpleas-
ant controversy, we trust it will be the sole
aim of all true Republicans to select that per-
son to occupy the vacant seat who. without
regard to past differences of opinion, will be
the best and ablest exponent of tine present
sentiment of the liberal party of the nation
and of the world, and who can most aid in
in bringing about the speedy, permanent and
universal acceptance of sound political prin-
ciples. Heretofore it has been impossible to
prevent considerations of a personal nature
from mingling somewhat with the discussion
of this subject; now there is no occasion for
it and there is ample time and opportunity
for giving it dispassonate consideration. and
reaching wise and satisfactory conclusion
The death of Senator Fessenden will
throw upon the Legislature to be elected
to-day the duty of electing Senator for the
unexpred term of Mr.. Fessenden. The Gov
ernor has the power to appoint Senator I'M
til this Legislature meets, but it is not obi
SdtolJ upou W uO 81.
We cannot hope to fill the place of our
great Senator. His large experience and
commanding influence was the ripe fruit of
years, and cannot be supplied to order. 1t
consequently behooves the Republican party,
as it would command the continued conf
dence and respect of the country, as it would
prove true to those great principles to the ad-
vocacy of which the public life of Mr.. Fessen-
den was devoted, as it would honor the memory
of its illustrious dead, and claim the contin-
ued friendship and support of that class of
our citizens who believe in a pure administra-
ton of public affairs, to act with the utmost
prudence and discretion. Let the man who
shall be exalted to the vacant place, be of
blameless life, and incorruptibIe integrity,
He is to stand in the place of our stateliest
pillar, and sustain in part the character and
dignity OF our State. Let us humbly trust
that the people will themselves attend to the
unspeakably important duty of selecting the
fittest man and Enthusiastically indicate their
choice to those who are to.execute their will.
The matter is one of sufficient magnitude to
claim their best and earliest attention. Let
US SO act as to give additional force to the
saying that "the voice Of the people is the
voice of God"