The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-03-04

DECENTRALIZATION Po''Sy VI s"o S~y
The committee Of which he was chairman
labored in travail two years before they
brought forth their report. During that
time there were no men in Congress and
but few men out of it, who had not pre-
sented an elaborate plan by which the re-
cusant States should DO reconstructed.
Very many were the result OF the best
minds we had, and were elaborated after
patient and sagaciOus study. No man
who ever played the statesman's part,
had greater field in which to forage for
ability and experience than did Mr.. Fes-
sender; and after so long delay, an un-
happy delay but in the end the. best for
the country, it may be, the report was
made which was adopted-ths best that
could have been made. no doubt, but yet
not entirely complete and satisfactory.
Let US reverently thank heaven and the
Man that il was left to such able hands !!
Mr.. Fessenden did not distinguish himself
rs an executive officer, indeed he utterly
failed as Secretary Of the Treasury, to re-
tain the confidence of the moneyed men OF
the country in his abilities. His admin
istration, though short, was even marked
with less ability than that Of Secretary
Chase. However, unlike most men, he
knew his weakness and sought to rid HIM
self of the Treasury responsibilities by a
return TO the Senate whose duties were
more congcnial to his tastes, and where
he might enjoy his otiam cam dignitate,
and where silence sometimes passes for
wisdom. His reelection was seriously
threatened. and here he did not hesitate
to WELD the power he possessed as head
Of the Treasury.
His panegyrists have lovingly dwelt
upon his unselfshness and his superiority
to, and disregard of, party and party
means. 1t may be true. But before his
vote on Impeachment it was fun for his
political opponents to charge home upon
him an offensive nepotism, while Republic
can papers could only keep silent and a
regard to the feelings Of the living causes
us to drop that subject. He was superb
or to party and party means save just be-
fore an election in which he was interest
ed. Those of us who skirmished in the
threatening battle of 1865, know very
we'll how superior he was to the use OF
patronage to aid his re election! That
power, and that alone vigorously piled,
saved to him his seat in the Senate cham
Der.
He lacked the commonest sagacity.
Twenty years ago he might have found
associates and supporters, and he shut
himself up with that knowledge andknew
no Others. He failed to understand that
there could ever be political decay for
those who attached themselves to his tri-
umphal car, thinking, iorsooth, that such
an attachment was to them fountain oil
eternal youth. But twenty years is a
long time for men to live politically in
this busy republican life of ours. Men
Of influence now must at some time as the
wheel goes round, pass from their zenith
to the nadir. and it becomes them to
mark we'll their zodiacal signs. But Mr..
Pesscnden failed in this, holding on to
dry, dead twigs suPpOsing them alive and
vigorous.
He loved and cared for the people coll
lectively but not NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
for the few; philanthropy for all. He
had n few select friends and to them he
was as gentle as summer, while they adj
mired him for the purity of his character,
his purpose to do right as he understood
the right, and for his great abilities. But
himself representative Of the people,
dcpendinr upon them for their goodwill
and suffrages, he knew them only in their
corporate capacity and their ability to
vote for him. Had he been born to an
earldom the houors would have sat grace
fully upon him, for his aristocratic air
was natural and not put on; and it the
people and their representative always
viewed each other through telescope
with the large end pointed to Washing
ton, il was their fault, and was more COM
plimcntary to their admiration OF talent
than for all else beside.
OF his betrayal Of his State and par
ty by his vote exculpating johnson, we
wrote at length nearly a year ago, and
it need not be repeated here. But the
lesson Of that vote should never DO un-
learned 1T was the outgrowth Of the
characteristics drawn above. Its depart
ure from the idea and only safe practice
among democracy can never with safe
ty be paliated or excused; and the people
owe it to themselves to strike down every
public servant who does not acknowledge
the will Of the people to be to him law
higher than all other considerations. Let
the State cherish and honor her sons, and
let her jealousy care for their advance
ment. hut let her also hold them to