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

land Mr. Deblois in their extensive practice.
&But finding three able lawyers too much for
7one Office, he sought his fortune for a short
Gtime in Bangor. From this wide field, how
sever, he was diverted w matrimonial ALI.
sance, and he finally and permanently estah.
alshed himself in Portland, which ever afte.
8 pecame the scene of his juridical and political
Htriumphs.
q In 1882 he formed law partnership with
AWilliam Willis, and the firm continued fol
twenty years to pursue a most successful busl-
ssness. 1t was during this period that Mr.. res
sgsenden acquired his highest reputation at inc
ssbar; and without fear of contradiction may
s8s5say that for clearness of statement, Keehness
:Meof ANALYSIS and closeness of logic, no member
saof tbe profession in Maine was his superior.
3aua was concise and direct in his argument
(which, while exciting the attention of the
3Couyt, was perfectly level TO the comprehen-
ssson of the jury; he was an able and forcible
ssssadvocate. He was occasionally employed tc
2argue cases in the Supreme Court at Wash
ssssington, in which his triumph was no less sig
..anal than in his own State
81 But Mr.. Fessenden's talents were not ex.
Exhausted or confined to the bar; he early was
sadrawn into politics I considerably say draWr
Asfor he loved his profession above every Other
sapursuit; but with the ambition of young
M imam, and before bis legal practice pressed
saupon him, at the age of twenty-five he was
saaelected representative from Portland, ani
;Hwas subsequently re- elected five times, the las
sj3n 1854
"a In 1910 he was unanimously nominated fol
ssCongress in the exciting Harrison campaign
ss5and was elected by handsome majority III
Ssthis Congress he was placed on the Judiciary
saCommittee, and took an active part in the i'm.
ssportant business with which that committee il
Railways charged He also engaged in debate
sAon important questions, fearlessly and ably ad
sssvocating and sustaining the measures of the
saWhig party.
q But after all, this political arena did not sui
Mhs taste; he preferred his profession, and hav
ling young family at home, he positively de
denomination. He remained quietly
successfully pursuing his professional
It'll 1854, when, after a severe contes
legislature on political and persona
atoms, he was elected to the Senate o
ted States as successor to James w
y. During this term he served on the
tee of Finance, of which Mr. Hunter Of
), was chairman, and much of the labor
responsible position devolved upon
'san,n-. e was also very actively engaged dur
Aing this period in sustaining the Wing and
,aFree Soil parties against the bitter attacks o.
athe friends of slavery and the supporters Of
81 Mr.. Perce's administration. Aud soon after
stalking his seat it is said that he made a mos
sAthriling and effective speech on the Nebrask:
Ebill, which placed him at once among the lead
ding debaters and statesmen in the Senate. It
twas reelected to the Senate in 1859, and again
gin 1865, aud was made chairman of the Finance
aCommittee, which, during his term of service
;Swas one of the most arduous and important OF
1.-THE Senate committees.
u We have not time nor space to go into more
zextended examination of Mr.. Fessenden's pub.
1lic services, and tho just title he has to the ad.
Amiration and honor of his countrymen. AS
achairman of the Committee of Finance, as
ASecretary of the Treasury, as fearless defend
Ger of the National honor, as an uncompromis-
4ing supporter of the Union, of universal free
Adom and the rights of all the people-but above
dall and over all, as 40 honest upright and in
scorruptible statesman, We must look far and
wide for his superior or his peer.
On the morning of September 9Th death
;closed the earthly honors and triumphs of this
truly great man, the larger portion of whose
Fife was spent upon conspicuous stage of
public service. Although early married to al
most estimable lady, the youngest daughter of
four late respected citizen, James Deering, thisI
apublic service drew him more than was agree i
fable to him from domestic life She died in9
1857, depriviDg him of n beloved compartment
land cherished friend. By her he had fiveI
children, daughter and four sons The;
daughter died young, his youngest son, a staff.
aofficer, was killed in battle, two other sonsE
5rose to the rank of General, and served brave-s
Ny and faithfully in the late war.
! Mr.. Fessenden was reserved in his mannerss
land to strangers he seemed cold and forbid ];
dding; but his heart was warm, he was gener-;
aous in his impulses and firm in his frendships
land the very soul of honor. His conduct was|
fever without fear and without reproach; no,
Zone doubted his integrity, and those who most!
aconfided in him found him most faithful and!
true.
Such men in public life are now unhappilyI
3too rare, and we fear that we shall long have:
occasion to mourn over the void his death Wilt
3create in the public service.
He was man of general culture, of accurateI
although not of varied or extensive reading \
lhe was not superficial in anything, and whats
The knew was securely laid up in the treasury
|of his memory. +
He received from Bowdoin College the degreeE
'of Doctor of Laws in 1858, and various honorsE
from public aad private institutions J
He was a scholar and ripe good one, 7
Exceeding wise, fair spoken and persuadin2
Lofty and sour to those that loved him pc;,t. -